Understanding Greek Religion is one of the first attempts to fully examine any religion from a cognitivist perspective; applying methods and findings from the cognitive science of religion to the ancient Greek world. In this book; Jennifer Larson shows that many of the fundamentals of Greek religion; such as anthropomorphic gods; divinatory procedures; purity beliefs; reciprocity; and sympathetic magic arise naturally as by-products of normal human cognition. Drawing on evidence from across the ancient Greek world; Larson provides detailed coverage of Greek theology and local pantheons; rituals including processions; animal sacrifice and choral dance; and afterlife beliefs as they were expressed through hero worship and mystery cults. Eighteen in-depth essays illustrate the theoretical discussion with primary sources and include case studies of key cult inscriptions from Kyrene; Kos; and Miletos. This volume features maps; tables; and over twenty images to support and expand on the text; and will provide conceptual tools for understanding the actions and beliefs that constitute a religion. Additionally; Larson offers the first detailed discussion of cognition and memory in the transmission of Greek religious beliefs and rituals; as well as a glossary of terms and a bibliographical essay on the cognitive science of religion. Understanding Greek Religion is an essential resource for both undergraduate and postgraduate students of Greek culture and ancient Mediterranean religions.
#3968712 in Books Karma Phuntsho 2010-10-21 2010-09-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .73 x 6.14l; 1.00 #File Name: 0415599989320 pagesMipham s Dialectics and the Debates on Emptiness To Be Not to Be or Neither
Review
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful. brief thoughts on an interesting bookBy GendunThis is a useful and sometimes-challenging overview of Mipham's views on Madhyamaka with some big revelations for me; particularly pertaining to his basic posture with regards to the shentong or "emptiness-of-other" doctrine.This book tries to have it both ways in that it treats a highly specialized topic but also shoots for a broad audience; giving a lot of introductory information on Madhyamaka and its history in India and Tibet. My hunch is that the people who are drawn to this book (like me) aren't going to need the review and are going to get impatient digging through that part of it (like I did).We need more on Mipham in English. More; more; more. He may be the greatest Tibetan exegete of the last 200 years; an inspiring scholar of staggering genius.Hey; you! Scholar! I see you working on another translation of Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika -- put it down! Translate some Mipham instead!2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Will The Real Mipham Please Stand Up!By Tim O'KeefeIt is somewhat concerning that Sakyong Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche did not write this book since he is the supposed incarnate of Ju Mipham himself; but that is beside the point. This author finally exposes for readers the stand Mipham has on subjects of other emptiness and Buddanature clearly exposing these concepts for what they are. This and The Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara with Commentary by Ju Mipham are logically wonderful books if you are a serious Mipham fan. Karma Phuntsho is one of few people who has achieved the dialectical approach to the Middle Way despite his claim of reincarnation.
