Buddhism Observed: Travellers, Exiles and Tibetan Dharma in Kathmandu

by Peter Moran

Overview

How do contemporary Westerners and Tibetans understand not only what it means to be 'Buddhist', but what it means to be hailed as one from 'the West' or from 'Tibet'? This anthropological study examines the encounter between Western travellers and Tibetan exiles in Bodhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal and analyses the importance of Buddhism in discussions of political, cultural and religious identity.
Based on extensive field research in Nepal, Buddhism Observed questions traditional assumptions about Buddhism and examines the rarely considered phenomenon of Western conversions to a non-Western religion. Scholars of Anthropology, Religion and Cultural Studies will find here a refreshing insight into how to approach 'other' societies, religions and cultures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134341849
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/02/2003
Series:	Anthropology of Asia
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
File size:	942 KB

About the Author

Peter Moran is Director of academic programs in Kathmandu for both Trinity College, USA and the International Honors Program, Boston University, USA. He is also the academic director at the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Kathmandu University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Emanating bodies in the transnational terrain; Chapter 3 Commodities, identities and the aura of the Other; Chapter 4 Monasteries, patrons and the presence of money in a spiritualized economy; Chapter 5 Talking about monks; Chapter 6 Identifying narratives; Chapter 7 Producing (Western) Buddhists; Chapter 8 Dharma and difference; Chapter 9 Tibetan Buddhism; Notes; Bibliography; Index;

Editorial Reviews

'The book offers a valuable, well-organized, and persuasive picture of an important relationship in the history of modern Buddhism.' - Social Anthropology

From the Publisher