Buddhist Rituals of Death and Rebirth: Contemporary Sri Lankan Practice and Its Origins

Rita Langer

ISBN 10: 041554470X / ISBN 13: 9780415544702

Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2007

About this Item

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Seller Inventory # B9780415544702

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Buddhist Rituals of Death and Rebirth: Contemporary Sri Lankan Practice and Its Origins
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Publication Date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 041554470X
• ISBN 13: 9780415544702
• Binding: Paperback / softback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 412 grams

About this title

Synopsis

In Buddhist thought and practice, death has always been a central concept. This book provides a careful and thorough analysis of the rituals and social customs surrounding death in the Theravada tradition of Sri Lanka.

Rita Langer describes the rituals of death and rebirth and investigates their ancient origins, analyzing social issues of the relationship between monks and lay people in this context. This aspect is of particular interest as death rituals are the only life cycle ritual in which Theravada Buddhist monks are actively involved. Drawing on early Vedic sutras and Pali texts as well as archaeological and epigraphical material, Buddhist Rituals of Death and Rebirth establishes that Sri Lankan rituals are deeply rooted in their pre-Buddhist, Vedic precursors. Whilst beliefs and doctrines have undergone considerable changes over the centuries, it becomes evident that the underlying practices have largely remained stable.

The first comprehensive study of death rituals in Theravada Buddhist practice, this is an important contribution to the fields of Buddhist studies, indology, anthropology and religious studies.

About the Author

Rita Langer is currently Research Fellow in Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol, UK. Focusing on Southeast Asia (Thailand and Laos), she is continuing her research into Theravada death rituals as part of a larger AHRC funded project, 'Buddhist Death Rituals of Southeast Asia and China'.