Embodying the Dharma: Buddhist Relic Veneration in Asia

by David Germano, Kevin Trainor (Editor)

Embodying the Dharma explores the centrality of relic veneration in Asian Buddhist cultures. Long disregarded by Western scholars as a superstitious practice reflecting the popularization of "original" Buddhism, relic veneration has emerged as a topic of vital interest in the last two decades with the increased attention to Buddhist ritual practice and material culture. This volume includes studies of relic traditions in India, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as well as broader comparative analyses, including comparisons of Buddhist and Christian relic veneration.

201 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2004

Reviews

[Marsha Altman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a collection of papers by different scholars on veneration of relics of the Buddha. They were hit-or-miss in terms of being interesting, and I don't recommend the book unless you already know something about the topic, but there was good material.

[Elizabeth Englander]

Couple good essays couple snoozefests