Popular Buddhist Texts From Nepal : Narratives and Rituals of Newar Buddhism

This book demonstrates how popular ritual texts and story narratives have shaped the religious life and culture of the only surviving South Asian Mahayana Buddhist society, the Newars of Kathmandu. It begins with an account of the Newar Buddhist community's history and its place within the religious environment of Nepal and proceeds to build around five popular translations, several of which were known across Asia: the Srngabheri Avadana, the Simhalasarthabahu Avadana, the Tara, the Mahakala Vratas, and the Pancaraksa. Lewis documents how the respective texts have been domesticated in Nepal's art and architecture, healing traditions, and rituals. He shows how they provide paradigmatic case studies that transcend the Nepalese context, illustrating universal practices or issues in all Buddhist communities, such as gender relations and stupa veneration, the role of merchants, ethnicity, violence, devotions to celestial bodhisattvas by kings and women, and the role of mantra recitations and healing rituals in the lives of Buddhists.This book demonstrates how popular ritual texts and story narratives have shaped the religious life and culture of the only surviving South Asian Mahayana Buddhist society, the Newars of Kathmandu. It begins with an account of the Newar Buddhist community's history and its place within the religious environment of Nepal and proceeds to build around five popular translations, several of which were known across Asia: the Srngabheri Avadana, the Simhalasarthabahu Avadana, the Tara, the Mahakala Vratas, and the Pancaraksa. Lewis documents how the respective texts have been domesticated in Nepal's art and architecture, healing traditions, and rituals. He shows how they provide paradigmatic case studies that transcend the Nepalese context, illustrating universal practices or issues in all Buddhist communities, such as gender relations and stupa veneration, the role of merchants, ethnicity, violence, devotions to celestial bodhisattvas by king This Book Demonstrates How Popular Ritual Texts And Story Narratives Have Shaped The Religious Life And Culture Of The Only Surviving South Asian Mahayana Buddhist Society, The Newars Of Kathmandu. It Begins With An Account Of The Newar Buddhist Community's History And Its Place Within The Religious Environment Of Nepal And Proceeds To Build Around Five Popular Translations, Several Of Which Were Known Across Asia: The Srngabheri Avadana, The Simhalasarthabahu Avadana, The Tara, The Mahakala Vratas, And The Pancaraksa. Lewis Documents How The Respective Texts Have Been Domesticated In Nepal's Art And Architecture, Healing Traditions, And Rituals.--book Jacket. Foreword / Gregory Schopen -- Introduction: Buddhism As A Pragmatic Religious Tradition -- Popular Narratives And Their Domestication In Buddhist Communities -- The Development Of Buddhist Ritualism -- The Ritual Innovations Of Mahayana Buddhism -- Nepal And Newar Buddhism -- The Context And Paradoxes Of Modernity -- Stupas And Spouses: The Shrngabheri Avadana -- Merchants, Demonesses, And Missionary Faith: The Simhalasarthabahu Avadana -- Devotions To A Celestial Bodhisattva: The Tara Vrata -- Invoking The Powers Of The Buddhist Dark Lord: The Caturdashi Vrata Of Mahakala -- The Refuge Of Recitation: The Pancaraksa. Todd T. Lewis ; Translations In Collaboration With Subarna Man Tuladhar And Labh Rama Tuladhar ; Foreword By Gregory Schopen. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 205-230) And Index.

this Book Demonstrates How Popular Ritual Texts And Story Narratives Have Shaped The Religious Life And Culture Of The Only Surviving South Asian Mahayana Buddhist Society, The Newars Of Kathmandu. It Begins With An Account Of The Newar Buddhist Community's History And Its Place Within The Religious Environment Of Nepal And Proceeds To Build Around Five Popular Translations, Several Of Which Were Known Across Asia: The Srngabheri Avadana, The Simhalasarthabahu Avadana, The Tara, The Mahakala Vratas, And The Pancaraksa. Lewis Documents How The Respective Texts Have Been Domesticated In Nepal's Art And Architecture, Healing Traditions, And Rituals.

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in Order To Correct The Ahistorical And Idealized Portrayals Of Buddhism Conveyed By Academics And Modern Exponents, Lewis (religious Studies, College Of Holy Cross) Examines The Texts Of Five Important Vernacular Texts That Have Been Incorporated Into The Newar Community In Kathmandu, The Only Surviving Community Of Indian Mahayana Buddhism. The Study Is Based On His Ethnographic Fieldwork In Nepal In 1979-82 And Subsequent Research. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)