This wide-ranging account of early Buddhism in Southeast Asia overthrows dominant theories among both Western and Asian Scholars. The author argues that Pali-based Buddhism was brought from India and Sri Lanka by merchants; monks; and pilgrims by the fourth century. Several schools flourished alongside Brahmanism; Mahayanism; and local spirit beliefs--in coexistence rather than conflict. There was no "conversion" to Theravada in the eleventh century as the school was already well established. Prapod draws on a broad range of source material including inscriptions; texts; archaeology; iconography; architecture; and anthropology from India; Sri Lanka; China; and the region itself. He highlights the lived tradition of religious practice rather than scriptural sources.
#812115 in Books 2016-02-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .48 x 6.14l; .66 #File Name: 9463004483210 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Matias writes; "This book is a project to reaffirm ...By an aspiring neo-abolitionistMatias writes; "This book is a project to reaffirm our humanity by recognizing the racialized states of our emotionalities; its association with the permanence of whiteness; and how education can be one avenue that can lead us down a path that liberates our communal heart." Doing so takes work; however; which Matias delineates over the course of the book---exploring how and why "feelings" have a symbiotic relationship with socially constructed norms. These norms; of course; often stem from *whiteness* as the hegemonic; driving force behind it all. Thus; we see from Matias' work precisely why it is (drawing from Noel Ignatiev) that a "betrayal to whiteness is loyalty to humanity." Selah.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Strongly recommended - excellent bookBy Interested ReaderA thoughtful; rigorous; and complex engagement with emotionality and Whiteness. As a teacher educator; I found many of the perspectives and arguments useful for classroom praxis as well as my personal research. I highly recommend this book!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Best book of the century!By CraigThis is an amazing and insightful book that everyone in the world needs to read. It will open your eyes to the truth of race in America and the world.
