Rebuilding Buddhism describes in evocative detail the experiences and achievements of Nepalis who have adopted Theravada Buddhism. This form of Buddhism was introduced into Nepal from Burma and Sri Lanka in the 1930s; and its adherents have struggled for recognition and acceptance ever since. With its focus on the austere figure of the monk and the biography of the historical Buddha; and more recently with its emphasis on individualizing meditation and on gender equality; Theravada Buddhism contrasts sharply with the highly ritualized Tantric Buddhism traditionally practiced in the Kathmandu Valley. Based on extensive fieldwork; interviews; and historical reconstruction; the book provides a rich portrait of the different ways of being a Nepali Buddhist over the past seventy years. At the same time it explores the impact of the Theravada movement and what its gradual success has meant for Buddhism; for society; and for men and women in Nepal.
#943088 in Books Harvard University Press 2001-11-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.62 x 1.15 x 5.55l; 1.08 #File Name: 0674007026336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. People on the MoveBy BlondiePhDAlison Games' Migration and the Origins of the English Atlantic World is primarily a study of people on the move. More demographic history than social history; Games stresses the importance of migration- the actual physical movement of people from England to colonies and from colony to colony- to the creation of the Atlantic World; especially the English Atlantic World. Examining passenger lists; Games contends that no other European power came close to generating the number of settlers as the English did; making them an exceptional power. Games really stresses the importance of the individual to the creation of the early modern Atlantic; a theme she continues in The Web of Empire: English Cosmopolitans in an Age of Expansion; 1560-1660 that contrasts greatly with historians; such as John Brewer in The Sinews of Power: War; Money and the English State; 1688-1783; who argue the importance of the state and bureaucracy.As other reviewers have noted; at times; Games provides too much data without enough analysis. Games needed to find a better balance between presenting data rich evidence with analysis of that data for the reader. There are numerous charts and numbers that help the reader visualize this data; however; it can be overwhelming at time. As this was originally a dissertation that was later adapted to be a book; this is not necessarily surprising. Also; it is rather typical of demographic history in which the numbers tend to speak for themselves.I would encourage scholars of the English Atlantic World to read this book along with her second book; The Web of Empire. Many of Games' arguments from Migration and the Origins of the English Atlantic World are further explored in her second book and provides a bit more analysis instead of simply data.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Games does a great job tracing the flow of English settlers to the ...By Steve R. PascheGames does a great job tracing the flow of English settlers to the New World. People whom she refers to as "Travelers." This book opened my eyes to the complexities of English colonization. Games also does a good job of showing how important the 1630s were to transplanting so many Englishmen and to a lesser extent English women.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy RaquelGood
