Buddhism in the Modern World

Adaptations of an Ancient Tradition
Erscheinungsjahr 2003
ISBN: 978-0-19-514698-1
Verlag: Oxford University Press

Buch, Englisch, 304 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 490 g

The history of Buddhism has been characterized by an ongoing tension between attempts to preserve traditional ideals and modes of practice and the need to adapt to changing cultural conditions. Many developments in Buddhist history, such as the infusion of esoteric rituals, the rise of devotionalism and lay movements, and the assimilation of warrior practices, reflect the impact of widespread social changes on traditional religious structures. At the same time, Buddhism has been able to maintain its doctrinal purity to a remarkable degree. This volume explores how the traditional Buddhist communities of Asia have responded to the challenges of modernity, such as science and technology, colonialism, and globalization. Editors Steven Heine and Charles S. Prebish offer a pan-Asian approach, giving proportional treatment to the three regional legacies under which Buddhism is classified today: the traditions of East Asia (represented here by China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea), India and Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka and Thailand), and the Himalayas (Tibet). Nine essays, all commissioned expressly for this volume, consider how the encounter with modernity has impacted the disciplinary, textual, ritual, devotional, practical, and socio-political traditions of Buddhist thought throughout Asia. The result is the most comprehensive available overview of Asian Buddhism today.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Heine, Steven

Prebish, Charles S.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Buddhismus

Über Autor(innen)

Heine, Steven (Professor of Religious Studies and Director, Asian Studies, Florida International University, USA) / Prebish, Charles S. (Professor of Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University, USA)