Buddhism Observed: Travellers, Exiles and Tibetan Dharma in Kathmandu (Anthropology of Asia) - Softcover

Moran, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415646286 ISBN 13: 9780415646284

Publisher: Routledge, 2015

Synopsis

How do contemporary Westerners and Tibetans understand not only what it means to be 'Buddhist', but what it means to be hailed as one from 'the West' or from 'Tibet'? This anthropological study examines the encounter between Western travellers and Tibetan exiles in Bodhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal and analyses the importance of Buddhism in discussions of political, cultural and religious identity.
Based on extensive field research in Nepal, Buddhism Observed questions traditional assumptions about Buddhism and examines the rarely considered phenomenon of Western conversions to a non-Western religion. Scholars of Anthropology, Religion and Cultural Studies will find here a refreshing insight into how to approach 'other' societies, religions and cultures.

About this title

Review:

'The book offers a valuable, well-organized, and persuasive picture of an important relationship in the history of modern Buddhism.' - Social Anthropology

About the Author:

Peter Moran is Director of academic programs in Kathmandu for both Trinity College, USA and the International Honors Program, Boston University, USA. He is also the academic director at the Centre for Buddhist Studies at Kathmandu University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0415646286
• ISBN 13: 9780415646284
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240