Monks and Magic: Revisiting a Classic Study of Religious Ceremonies in Thailand (NIAS Classics): 2 - Hardcover

Barend Jan Terwiel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8776940659 ISBN 13: 9788776940652

Publisher: NIAS Press, 2012

Synopsis

First published in 1975, B.J. Terwiel's "Monks and Magic" remains a widely cited text. This is an absorbing study of Buddhism as practised at that time in a community in rural Central Thailand. It describes how esoteric spells and magical diagrams were the main interest of children and adolescents but full ritual knowledge was obtained in adulthood and tempered by life experiences. As death approaches, the Buddhist world-view stimulates merit-making. ?This fourth edition of the work is a major revision that updates the original text, adds new material and offers a contemporary perspective on the original study.

About this title

Review:

'This book deserves a welcome from both sides of academic life, teaching and research. Teachers of subjects dealing with Thai language and culture will welcome a clear account of the religious preoccupations - of country people in the central region. The author has come to treat what is normal and respectable there - The hope is thereby to emphasize the main thesis, viz. that there is such a thing as 'animistic Buddhism' and that it is common in rural areas.' --P.J. Bee, "Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies"

About the Author:

Barend Jan (Baas) Terwiel is a renowned specialist in the social and cultural history of Thailand. During his academic career he taught in Canberra, Munich, Leiden and Hamburg. His final appointment was as Professor of Thai and Lao Languages and Literatures in Hamburg. Professor Terwiel retired in 2006 but still writes extensively on Thailand.

About this edition

• Publisher: NIAS Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 8776940659
• ISBN 13: 9788776940652
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 336