Religions Are Remixes Rethinking Originality, Authenticity, and Authority in the Study of Religion

This book utilizes an approach that centers on remix theory and conceptual metaphor theory, arguing for an examination of the study of religion via a model for analyzing cultural constructs that the author terms Remix+/-. After discerning the metaphorical correspondences underlying his argument, the author claims that the shift in conceptual and terminological framing remix provides can assist in understanding religious phenomena and developments differently, paying close attention to the sorts of meanings, implications, and assumptions that are disrupted and subverted as a result. The chapters indicate how notions of originality, authenticity, and authority are problematized and challenged from the perspective modeled by Remix+/-, with Buddhist philosophy occupying a significant role in the demonstrative examples. This book will be of interest to remix theorists and conceptual metaphor theorists because it advances a new approach to applying both remix and metaphor to the study of cultural constructs. It will also be valuable for those studying religion and digital culture—especially Buddhist thought and practice—as it proposes a new lens through which religiosity can be defamiliarized and critically analyzed. Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgments 1. Introduction Remix Studies Remix Defined Is Everything a Remix? Remix and the Study of Religion Conceptual Metaphor Theory Remix+ Remix+/- Notes References 2. Culture and Creation Culture Is Software Creation Is Recycling Bricolage Mimesis Archive Romantic Authorship Notes References 3. Religion and Remix Religion Is Protestant Christianity Metonymy and Metaphor Redescribing Religion Manufacturing Religion Manufacturing World Religions Religions Are Remixes Religion as an Ontological Metaphor Terminological Choices A Metaphorical Shift Modeling Religion Notes References 4. Originality A Secular Buddhism The Fourfold Task Buddhism 2.0 This Batchelor Is Not Alone The Myth of Originality Upaniṣadic Redux Creation Ex Nihilo Always Already Remixed Notes References 5. Authenticity Archiving Buddhism Restrictive Remix Measuring Buddhism Acceptance and Success Versioning Buddhism Buddha as Remix Artist Osamu Tezuka's Buddha Tezuka as Remix Artist Buddha as Transmediation Canonicity and Apocrypha Measuring Authenticity Notes References 6. Authority Critical Remix Challenges to Authority Secular[ized] Buddhism Hacking the Dharma Drink Up, Me Buddhists, Yo Ho! Collaboration Critical Participation Notes References 7. Conclusion Notes References Index