Buddhism Transformed: Religious Change in Sri Lanka / Edition 1

by Richard Gombrich, Gananath Obeyesekere

Overview

In this study a social and cultural anthropologist and a specialist in the study of religion pool their talents to examine recent changes in popular religion in Sri Lanka. As the Sinhalas themselves perceive it, Buddhism proper has always shared the religious arena with a spirit religion. While Buddhism concerns salvation, the spirit religion focuses on worldly welfare. Buddhism Transformed describes and analyzes the changes that have profoundly altered the character of Sinhala religion in both areas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691019017
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	10/30/1990
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	504
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

What People are Saying About This

Per Kvaerne

This is beyond doubt one of the most important books on contemporary Buddhism to have appeared during this decade.
— Per Kvaerne, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (Copenhagen) / University of Oslo

James Manor

A highly readable and immensely important book. . . . One of the most interesting marriages of analyses of religion and society (and, at times, history and politics) to emerge in South Asian studies (and, I suspect, beyond) for many years.
— James Manor, University of Sussex

From the Publisher

"A highly readable and immensely important book. . . . One of the most interesting marriages of analyses of religion and society (and, at times, history and politics) to emerge in South Asian studies (and, I suspect, beyond) for many years."—James Manor, University of Sussex

"This is beyond doubt one of the most important books on contemporary Buddhism to have appeared during this decade."—Per Kvaerne, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (Copenhagen) / University of Oslo

Editorial Reviews

"A collection of brilliant ethnographic studies of religious innovation and change among Sinhala Buddhists."—-Martin Southwold, The [London] Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher

A collection of brilliant ethnographic studies of religious innovation and change among Sinhala Buddhists.

The [London] Times Literary Supplement - Martin Southwold

A collection of brilliant ethnographic studies of religious innovation and change among Sinhala Buddhists.
— Martin Southwold

The [London] Times Literary Supplement