The Buddhist Visnu : religious transformation, politics, and culture / John Clifford Holt.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Holt, John, 1948-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Buddhism--Sri Lanka--History.

Buddhism.

Vishnu (Hindu deity)--Cult--Sri Lanka.

Vishnu (Hindu deity).

Buddhism--Relations--Hinduism.

Hinduism--Relations--Buddhism.

Hinduism.

Buddhism and politics--Sri Lanka.

Buddhism and politics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 441 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, 2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

John Holt's groundbreaking study examines the assimilation, transformation, and subordination of the Hindu deity Visnu within the contexts of Sri Lankan history and Sinhala Buddhist religious culture. Holt argues that political agendas and social forces, as much as doctrinal concerns, have shaped the shifting patterns of the veneration of Visnu in Sri Lanka. Holt begins with a comparative look at the assimilation of the Buddha in Hinduism. He then explores the role and rationale of medieval Sinhala kings in assimilating Visnu into Sinhala Buddhism. Offering analyses of texts, many of which have never before been translated into English, Holt considers the development of Visnu in Buddhist literature and the changing practices of deity veneration. Shifting to the present, Holt describes the efforts of contemporary Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka to discourage the veneration of Visnu, suggesting that many are motivated by a reactionary fear that their culture and society will soon be overrun by the influences and practices of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Preface

PART 1

Introduction: THE HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL PROBLEMS

1 THE "HINDU BUDDHA" AND THE "BUDDHIST VISNU"

2 "UNCEASING WAVES"

3 THE SANDALWOOD IMAGE

4 TRANSFORMED DEITY

PART 2

Introduction: THE CULT OF VISNU IN BUDDHIST SRI LANKA

5 SEEKING PROTECTION

6 THE VALIYAK MANGALYA

7 LEGACIES OF THE "BUDDHIST VISNU"

8 MINISTER OF DEFENSE?

Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index of Place Names

Index of Sinhala (snh), Pali (p), Sanskrit (skt) and Tamil (t) Texts (translated or cited)

Subject Index

Map

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [411]-420) and indexes.

Description based upon print version of record.

ISBN:

9780231508148

023150814X

OCLC:

826476281