Rebuilding Buddhism : the Theravada movement in twentieth-century Nepal

Rebuilding Buddhism describes in evocative detail the experiences and achievements of Nepalis who have adopted Theravada Buddhism. This form of Buddhism was introduced into Nepal from Burma and Sri Lanka in the 1930s, and its adherents have struggled for recognition and acceptance ever since. With its focus on the austere figure of the monk and the biography of the historical Buddha, and more recently with its emphasis on individualizing meditation and on gender equality, Theravada Buddhism contrasts sharply with the highly ritualized Tantric Buddhism traditionally practiced in the Kathmandu Valley.Based on extensive fieldwork, interviews, and historical reconstruction, the book provides a rich portrait of the different ways of being a Nepali Buddhist over the past seventy years. At the same time it explores the impact of the Theravada movement and what its gradual success has meant for Buddhism, for society, and for men and women in Nepal.Content:Preface 1. Introduction: The Origins of Modernist Buddhism 2. Theravada Missionaries in an Autocratic State 3. Creating a Tradition 4. Charisma and Education: Dhammawati and the Nuns' Order after 1963 5. The Changing Buddhist Laity 6. Organizing and Educating the Monastic Community 7. Raising the Status of Nuns: The Controversy over Bhikkhuni Ordination 8. Winds of Change: Meditation and Social Activism 9. Other Buddhist Revivalisms: Tibetan "Mahayana" and Newar "Vajrayana" 10. Conclusion: Nepal's Theravadins in the Twenty-First Century Appendix 1: Dramatis Personae Appendix 2: Complete List of Theravada Viharas in Nepal Glossary Notes References Index Rebuilding Buddhism Describes In Detail The Experiences And Achievements Of Nepalis Who Have Adopted Theravada Buddhism. This Form Of Buddhism Was Introduced Into Nepal From Burma And Sri Lanka In The 1930s, And Its Adherents Have Struggled For Recognition And Acceptance Ever Since. With Its Focus On The Austere Figure Of The Monk And The Biography Of The Historical Buddha, And More Recently With Its Emphasis On Individualizing Meditation And On Gender Equality, Theravada Buddhism Contrasts Sharply With The Highly Ritualized Tantric Buddhism Traditionally Practiced In The Kathmandu Valley. Based On Extensive Fieldwork, Interviews, And Historical Reconstruction, The Book Provides A Rich Portrait Of The Different Ways Of Being A Nepali Buddhist Over The Past Seventy Years. At The Same Time It Explores The Impact Of The Theravada Movement And What Its Gradual Success Has Meant For Buddhism, For Society, And For Men And Women In Nepal.--jacket. Introduction: The Origins Of Modernist Buddhism -- Theravada Missionaries In An Autocratic State -- Creating A Tradition -- Charisma And Education : Dhammawati And The Nuns' Order After 1963 -- The Changing Buddhist Laity -- Organizing And Educating The Monastic Community -- Raising The Status Of Nuns : The Controversy Over Bhikkhuni Ordination -- Winds Of Change : Meditation And Social Activism -- Other Buddhist Revival Movements : Tibetan Mahayana And Newar Vajrayana -- Conclusion: Nepal's Theravadins In The Twenty-first Century. Appendix 1: Dramatis Personae : Some Prominent Personalities In The Theravada Movement -- Appendix 2: Complete List Of Theravada Viharas In Nepal. Sarah Levine, David N. Gellner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [343]-363) And Index.

rebuilding Buddhism Describes In Evocative Detail The Experiences And Achievements Of Nepalis Who Have Adopted Theravada Buddhism. This Form Of Buddhism Was Introduced Into Nepal From Burma And Sri Lanka In The 1930s, And Its Adherents Have Struggled For Recognition And Acceptance Ever Since. With Its Focus On The Austere Figure Of The Monk And The Biography Of The Historical Buddha, And More Recently With Its Emphasis On Individualizing Meditation And On Gender Equality, Theravada Buddhism Contrasts Sharply With The Highly Ritualized Tantric Buddhism Traditionally Practiced In The Kathmandu Valley.

based On Extensive Fieldwork, Interviews, And Historical Reconstruction, The Book Provides A Rich Portrait Of The Different Ways Of Being A Nepali Buddhist Over The Past Seventy Years. At The Same Time It Explores The Impact Of The Theravada Movement And What Its Gradual Success Has Meant For Buddhism, For Society, And For Men And Women In Nepal.

buddhadharma

[the Authors’] Careful Research And Thoughtful Analysis Focus On The Perceptible Life Of This Movement In Society, Rather Than Doctrines Or Ideas. As Such, This Study Of The Contrasts And Occasional Conflicts Between The Growing Theravada Movement And The Established Tantric Tradition Reveals Much About The Dynamic Life Of Buddhism In A Changing World.

Rebuilding Buddhism describes in evocative detail the experiences and achievements of Nepalis who have adopted Theravada Buddhism. This form of Buddhism was introduced into Nepal from Burma and Sri Lanka in the 1930s, and its adherents have struggled for recognition and acceptance ever since. With its focus on the austere figure of the monk and the biography of the historical Buddha, and more recently with its emphasis on individualizing meditation and on gender equality, Theravada Buddhism contrasts sharply with the highly ritualized Tantric Buddhism traditionally practiced in the Kathmandu Valley. Based on extensive fieldwork, interviews, and historical reconstruction, the book provides a rich portrait of the different ways of being a Nepali Buddhist over the past seventy years. At the same time it explores the impact of the Theravada movement and what its gradual success has meant for Buddhism, for society, and for men and women in Nepal. This book describes in evocative detail the experiences and achievements of Nepalis who have adopted Theravada Buddhism. This form of Buddhism was introduced into Nepal from Burma and Sri Lanka in the 1930s, and its adherents have struggled for recognition and acceptance ever since. With its focus on the austere figure of the monk and the biography of the historical Buddha, and more recently with its emphasis on individualizing meditation and on gender equality, Theravada Buddhism contrasts sharply with the highly ritualized Tantric Buddhism traditionally practiced in the Kathmandu Valley. Based on extensive fieldwork, interviews, and historical reconstruction, the book provides a rich portrait of the different ways of being a Nepali Buddhist over the past seventy years. At the same time it explores the impact of the Theravada movement and what its gradual success has meant for Buddhism, for society, and for men and women in Nepal Preface 1 Introduction: The Origins of Modernist Buddhism 2 Theravada Missionaries in an Autocratic State 3 Creating a Tradition 4 Charisma and Education: Dhammawati and the Nuns' Order after 1963 5 The Changing Buddhist Laity 6 Organizing and Educating the Monastic Community 7 Raising the Status of Nuns: The Controversy over Bhikkhuni Ordination 8 Winds of Change: Meditation and Social Activism 9 Other Buddhist Revival Movements: Tibetan "Mahayana" and Newar "Vajrayana" 10 0Conclusion: Nepal's Theravadins in the Twenty-First Century Appendix 1: Dramatis Personae: Some Prominent Personalities in the Theravada Movement Appendix 2: Complete List of Theravada Viharas in Nepal Glossary Notes References Index LeVine and Gellner describe in evocative detail the experiences and achievements of Nepalis who have adopted Theravada Buddhism. Based on extensive fieldwork, interviews, and historical reconstruction, the book provides a rich portrait of the different ways of being a Nepali Buddhist over the past seventy years.