The Life of Buddhism: 1 (The Life of Religion) - Tapa blanda

"Reynolds and Carbine have used the power of substantial, interpretive editing to render a volume which is both accessible to those with little background in Buddhism and also helpful to specialists on account of its fresh, practical perspective on past ethnographic research. . . .The editors' introduction concisely conveys some of the main events and terminology in Buddhist studies and charts the geographic spread of Buddhism from its Indian birthplace through Asia and abroad. . . . In the course if 15 short essays, the collection presents a picture of diverse practices united by the interaction of monastic and lay individuals in their distinct but complementary roles. . . . The Life of Buddhism is a worthwhile read for those familiar with the discipline and an excellent introduction to for those embarking on the path." -- Chicago South Asia Newsletter

Bringing together fifteen essays by outstanding Buddhist scholars from Asia, Europe, and North America, this book offers a distinctive portrayal of the 'life of Buddhism'. The contributors focus on a number of religious practices across the Buddhist world, from Sri Lanka to New York, Japan to Tibet. The essays highlight not so much Buddhist doctrine or sacred texts, but rather the actual behavior and lived experience of Buddhist adherents. A general introduction by Frank E. Reynolds and Jason A. Carbine provides a historical overview and briefly characterizes the three major variants of Buddhist tradition - the Hinayana/Theravada branch practiced in Sri Lanka and much of Southeast Asia; the Mahayana branch located most notably in East Asia; and, the Vajrayana/Esoteric branch established in Tibet and Japan. It also takes note of a distinctive form of Buddhism that is now emerging among non-Asian practitioners in the West. The editors introduce each essay with a brief commentary that situates its contents within the Buddhist tradition as a whole. The pieces offer concise depictions and analyses of particular aspects of Buddhist life, including temple architecture and iconography, the consecration of sacred objects, meditative practices, devotional expressions, exorcisms, and pilgrimage journeys. Topics discussed also include the construction of religio-political and religio-social hierarchies, gender roles, the management of asocial behavior, and confrontations with dying and death.