Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary

Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary
Author :
Publisher : University of Hawaii Press
Total Pages : 383
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780824889524
ISBN-13 : 0824889525
Rating : 4/5 (525 Downloads)

Book Synopsis Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary by : Vanessa R. Sasson

Download or read book Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary written by Vanessa R. Sasson and published by University of Hawaii Press. This book was released on 2021-09-30 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Renunciation is a core value in the Buddhist tradition, but Buddhism is not necessarily austere. Jewels—along with heavenly flowers, rays of rainbow light, and dazzling deities—shape the literature and the material reality of the tradition. They decorate temples, fill reliquaries, are used as metaphors, and sprout out of imagined Buddha fields. Moreover, jewels reflect a particular type of currency often used to make the Buddhist world go round: merit in exchange for wealth. Regardless of whether the Buddhist community has theoretically transcended the need for them or not, jewels—and the paradox they represent—are everywhere. Scholarship has often looked past this splendor, favoring the theory of renunciation instead, but in this volume, scholars from a wide range of disciplines consider the role jewels play in the Buddhist imaginary, putting them front and center for the first time. Following an introduction that relates the colorful story of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most famous jewels in the world, chapters explore the function of jewels as personal identifiers in Buddhist and other Indian religious traditions; Buddhaghosa’s commentary on the Jewel Sutta; the paradox of the Buddha’s bejeweled status before and after renunciation; and the connection in early Buddhism between jewels, magnificence, and virtue. The Newars of Nepal are the focus of a chapter that looks at their gemology and associations between gems and celestial deities. Contributors analyze the Fifth Dalai Lama’s reliquary, known as the “sole ornament of the world”; the transformation of relic jewels into precious substances and their connection to the Piprahwa stupa in Northern India and the Nanjing Porcelain Pagoda. Final chapters offer detailed studies of ritual engagement with the deity known as Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Avalokiteśvara and its role in the new Japanese lay Buddhist religious movement Shinnyo-en. Engaging and accessible, Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary will provide readers with an opportunity to look beyond a common misconception about Buddhism and bring its lived tradition into wider discussion.


Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary Related Books

Jewels That Made History
Language: en
Pages: 226
Authors: Stellene Volandes
Categories: Design
Type: BOOK - Published: 2020-10-13 - Publisher: Rizzoli Publications

GET EBOOK

The history of the world--triumphs and tragedies, breakthroughs and breakups--through the iconic jewels that have inspired and influenced since the dawn of time
Jewels, Jewelry, and Other Shiny Things in the Buddhist Imaginary
Language: en
Pages: 383
Authors: Vanessa R. Sasson
Categories: Religion
Type: BOOK - Published: 2021-09-30 - Publisher: University of Hawaii Press

GET EBOOK

Renunciation is a core value in the Buddhist tradition, but Buddhism is not necessarily austere. Jewels—along with heavenly flowers, rays of rainbow light, an
The Science of Gems, Jewels, Coins, and Medals, Ancient and Modern
Language: en
Pages: 336
Authors: Archibald Billing
Categories: Coins
Type: BOOK - Published: 1875 - Publisher: London : [s.n.]

GET EBOOK

The Priceless Jewel
Language: en
Pages: 248
Authors: Sangharakshita (Bhikshu)
Categories: Religion
Type: BOOK - Published: 1993 - Publisher: Windhorse Publications

GET EBOOK

The 13 essays in this volume address topics including: world peace and nuclear war; the issue of blasphemy; the possibilities for dialogue between Buddhism and
A casket of jewels: or Memorials of the life, labours, and triumphant death of the late miss Ellen Webster, collected by her sister Annie
Language: en
Pages: 204