Rita Langer

Buddhist Rituals of Death and Rebirth

Contemporary Sri Lankan Practice and Its Origins

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

In Buddhist thought and practice, death has always been a central concept. This book provides a careful and thorough analysis of the rituals and social customs surrounding death in the Theravada tradition of Sri Lanka. The author describes the rituals of death and rebirth and analyses social issues of the relationship between monks and lay people. This aspect is of particular interest as death rituals are the only life cycle ritual which requires the involvement of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka. The author then embarks on investigating ancient origins of the rituals. Drawing on early Vedic sutras and Pali texts as well as archaeological and epigraphical material, this book establishes that Sri Lankan rituals are deeply rooted in their pre-Buddhist, Vedic precursors. Whilst beliefs and doctrines have undergone considerable changes, this it becomes evident that practice has not changed considerably over the centuries. The first comprehensive study of death rituals in Theravada Buddhist practice, this is an important contribution to the fields of Buddhist Studies, Indology, Anthropology and Religious Studies.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd (Sales)
• Seitenzahl: 256
• Erscheinungstermin: 16. Juli 2007
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 165mm x 235mm x 19mm
• Gewicht: 603g
• ISBN-13: 9780415394963
• ISBN-10: 0415394961
• Artikelnr.: 21437902

Autorenporträt

Rita Langer is currently Research Fellow in Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol, UK. Focusing on Southeast Asia (Thailand and Laos), she is continuing her research into Theravada death rituals as part of a larger AHRC funded project, 'Buddhist Death Rituals of Southeast Asia and China'.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction Part 1 Death and Dying 1.1 Contemporary Sri Lankan Practice
1.2 Commentary to the Practice 1.3 Some Historical Roots: Time of Death
Part 2 Funeral 2.1 Contemporary Sri Lankan Practice 2.2 Commentary to the
Practice 2.3 Some Historical Roots: Handling the Remains Part 3
Post-Funerary Rites 3.1 Contemporary Sri Lankan Practice 3.2 Commentary to
the Practice 3.3 Some Historical Roots: Giving of Merit. Conclusions.