Description |
xi, 417 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
Series |
Cambridge studies in social anthropology ; 49 |
|
Cambridge studies in social anthropology ; 49
|
Contents |
Introduction and manifesto -- The arahant and the path of meditation -- The hagiography of a Buddhist saint: text and context, the politics of sectarianism -- The cult of amulets: the objectification and transmission of charisma -- Conceptual and theoretical clarifications |
Summary |
The central actors in this book are some reclusive forest-dwelling ascetic meditation masters who have been acclaimed as 'saints' in contemporary Thailand. These saints originally pursued their salvation quest among the isolated villages of the country's periphery, but once recognized as holy men endowed with charisma, they became the radiating centres of a country-wide cult of amulets. The amulets, blessed by the saints, are avidly sought by royalty, ruling generals, intelligentsia and common folk alike for their alleged powers to influence the success of worldly transactions, whether political, economic, martial or romantic |
Analysis |
Thailand Theravada Buddhism Monks |
Notes |
Includes index |
Bibliography |
Bibliography: pages 348-393 |
Notes |
Cambridge studies in social anthropology no:49 0068-6794 |
Subject |
Buddhism -- Thailand.
|
|
Buddhist cults -- Thailand.
|
|
Buddhist monks -- Thailand.
|
LC no. |
83015113 |
ISBN |
0521259843 |
|
0521277876 |
|