Sacred Play : Ritual Levity and Humor in South Asian Religions

Frivolity isn't always frivolous—sometimes it can be sacred. Sacred Play uncovers levity and playfulness in a variety of South Asian traditions where one might least expect to find it: in the heart of ritual. While stories recounting the antics of various South Asian deities circulate widely, this enlightening book intentionally departs from divinity-centered humor to focus on the playfulness of humans and their religious practices. This grassroots levity is both serious and lighthearted; it can be highly scripted or spontaneous and cast in shades of light or dark humor. Case studies of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist rituals examine instances of levity that challenge social or religious norms, in which mischievous deities inspire similar behavior among their devotees, and where playful competition incites serious consequences.Sacred Play explores how piety and levity can complement and complicate one another, enriching our understanding of both.Selva J. Raj (1952–2008) was Chair and Stanley S. Kresge Professor of Religious Studies at Albion College. His books include Dealing with Deities: The Ritual Vow in South Asia, also published by SUNY Press, and South Asian Christian Diaspora: Invisible Diaspora in Europe and North America. Corinne G. Dempsey is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. She is author of Kerala Christian Sainthood: Collisions of Culture and Worldview in South India and The Goddess Lives in Upstate New York: Breaking Convention and Making Home at a North American Hindu Temple. Together they coedited Popular Christianity in India: Riting between the Lines and Miracle as Modern Conundrum in South Asian Religious Traditions, both also published by SUNY Press. Frivolity isn't always frivolous--sometimes it can be sacred. Sacred Play uncovers levity and playfulness in a variety of South Asian traditions where one might least expect to find in the heart of ritual. While stories recounting the antics of various South Asian deities circulate widely, this enlightening book intentionally departs from divinity-centered humor to focus on the playfulness of humans and their religious practices. This grassroots levity is both serious and lighthearted; it can be highly scripted or spontaneous and cast in shades of light or dark humor. Case studies of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist rituals examine instances of levity that challenge social or religious norms, in which mischievous deities inspire similar behavior among their devotees, and where playful competition incites serious consequences. Sacred Play explores how piety and levity can complement and complicate one another, enriching our understanding of both. Selva J. Raj (1952-2008) was Chair and Stanley S. Kresge Professor of Religious Studies at Albion College. His books include Dealing with The Ritual Vow in South Asia, also published by SUNY Press, and South Asian Christian Invisible Diaspora in Europe and North America. Corinne G. Dempsey is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is author of Kerala Christian Collisions of Culture and Worldview in South India and The Goddess Lives in Upstate New Breaking Convention and Making Home at a North American Hindu Temple. Together they coedited Popular Christianity in Riting between the Lines and Miracle as Modern Conundrum in South Asian Religious Traditions, both also published by SUNY Press. Introduction: Ritual Levity In South Asian Traditions / Selva J. Raj And Corinne Dempsey -- Serious Levity At The Shrine Of St. Anne In South India / Selva J. Raj -- Don't Take It Badly, It's Holi : Ritual Levity, Society, And Agriculture / A. Whitney Sanford -- Playing The Married Lady : Primary Marriage Among The Newars Of Nepal / Liz Wilson -- The Artful Trick : Challenging Convention Through Play In Upstate New York / Corinne Dempsey And Sudharshan Durayappah -- Friendship, Humor, Levity, And Love In A Hindu Women's Ritual Tradition / Tracy Pintchman -- Laughing Until It Hurts-- Somebody Else : The Pain Of A Ritual Joke / William P. Harman -- Gods' Play And The Buddha's Way : Varieties Of Levity In Contemporary Sinhala Practice / Jonathan Walters -- Playing With Durga In Bengal / Rachel Fell Mcdermott -- Turning Karbala Inside Out : Humor And Ritual Critique In South Asian Muharram Rites / Amy C. Bard -- A Catholic Charismatic Healer At Play In North India / Mathew N. Schmalz -- Response / Jonathan Z. Smith. Edited By Selva J. Raj And Corinne G. Dempsey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Introduction: ritual levity in South Asian religions / Selva J. Raj and Corinne Dempsey Serious levity at the Shrine of St. Anne in South India / Selva J. Raj Don't take it badly, it's Holi : ritual levity in Balarama's Holi / A. Whitney Sanford Playing the married lady : primary marriage among the Newars of Nepal / Liz wilson The "artful trick" : challenging convention through play in upstate New York / Corinne Dempsey and Sudharshan Durayappah Friendship, levity, and love in a Hindu women's ritual tradition / Tracy Pintchman Laughing until it hurts : the pain of a ritual joke / William P. Harman Gods' play and the Buddha's way : varieties of ritual levity in contemporary Sinhala practice / Jonathan Walters Playing with Durga in Bengal / Rachel Fell McDermott Turning Karbala inside out : humor and ritual critique in South Asian Muharram rites / Amy C. Bard A Catholic charismatic healer at play in North India / Mathew N. Schmalz Response / Jonathan Z. Smith. "Frivolity isn't always frivolous - sometimes it can be sacred. Sacred Play uncovers levity and playfulness in a variety of South Asian traditions where one might least expect to find it: in the heart of ritual. Case studies of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist rituals examine instances of levity that challenge social or religious norms, in which mischievous deities inspire similar behavior among their devotees, and where playful competition incites serious consequences. Sacred Play explores how piety and levity can complement and complicate one another, enriching our understanding of both."--BOOK JACKET