Theravada Buddhist Devotionalism in Ceylon, Burma and Thailand (Series: Emerging Perceptions in Buddhist Studies19) by V.V.S. Saibaba - 2005

D.K. Printworld (P) Lte. New Delhi, 2005. First edition. Hardcover. New. 15 x 23 cm. The monograph consists of two parts, of which the first examines the Buddhist devotional practices, from the historical and canonical perspectives of the evolution of the worship of caitya, stupa, relics, symbols and images. It provides a multi-dimensional account of caitya, thupa, relic, symbol and image worship in Theravada Buddhist tradition, in the Sinhalese Vamsa literature and as depicted in the records of the prominent Chinese travellers to India. It throws light on the Buddhist stupa, the Buddha`s relics viz, hair, nail, tooth and ashes; the symbols which pre-ceded the Buddha image viz., the bodhi-tree, wheel, bowl, staff, robe, crest, turban, shadow and the Buddha`s foot-prints as the objects of devotion and worship and the objectives and benefits of such devotional acts. Part two elucidates the rise and growth of Buddhist devotionalism in Sri Lanka with special reference to its ceremonies, rituals, pilgrimages as depicted in the devotional literature of Ceylon. Further, it provides an account of devotional Buddhism in Burma by tracing its antiquity; describes Buddha`s relics, images and pagodas as the objects of veneration. Similarly, it makes a brief survey of Thai Buddhist devotionalism with special reference to Wats, Thai offerings and prayers to Buddha images and their objectives. The work illuminates the historical and canonical significance of precept and practice of different aspects of Buddhist devotion and how they are demonstrated in the contemporary Buddhist religious life of Ceylon, Burma and Thailand. Book Contents Dedication Foreword -- Vijay Kumar Thakur Prologue Abbreviations Part I Historical Perspective of Theravada Buddhist Devotionalism Introduction: Buddhist Worship and Devotional Practices in Pali and Avadana Literature 1. Cetiya and Thupa-Worship Sanction of Stupa-Worship by Earliest Tradition Thupa-Worship in Vamsha Literature Thupa-Worship in the Records of the Chinese Travellers Benefits of Cetiya and Thupa-Worship according to Canonical and Other Works Bhakti and Thupa-Worship 2. Relic-Worship Historical Perspective of Relic-Worship Worship of Hair and Nail Relics Worship of the Tooth Relic Worship of Other Relics and Ashes To see Relics is to see the Buddha Benefits of Relic-Worship 3. Symbol-Worship Worship of Bodhi-Tree Worship of Wheel, Bowl, Staff and Robe Worship of Crest, Turban and Shadows Worship of Footprints 4. Image-Worship Origins of Buddha Image Image-Worship in Pali Canonical and Post-Canonical Works Image-Worship in the accounts of Chinese Travellers Part II Theravada Buddhist Devotionalism in Ceylon, Burma and Thailand 5. Theravada, an Organic Whole 6. Buddhist Devotionalism in Sri Lanka Pilgrimages Sinhalese Buddhist Devotional Literature 7. Buddhist Devotionalism in Burma Prayer in Burmese Buddhism Burmese Buddhist Ritualism Contemporary Burmese Conception of the Buddha and Nirvana 8. Buddhist Devotionalism in Thailand Rise of Buddhist Devotionalism in Thailand Facets of Thai Buddhist Devotionalism Epilogue Bibliography Index: Buddhist Works Index: Buddhist Words and Proper Names Printed Pages: 96.