Intro -- Theravada Buddhism: Continuity, Diversity, and Identity -- Copyright -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Map -- Introduction -- Problems with the Definition of "Theravada Buddhism" -- The Structure of This Book and Its Use as a Coursebook -- Other Studies of Theravada -- Revisiting Conceptions of Theravada -- Geographical Terms -- Non-English Terms, Text Titles, Transliteration, and Translation -- References -- Part One: Buddha -- 1 The Buddha and Buddhahood -- Overview -- Master of the Universe -- The Changing Character of the Buddha -- Biographies of the Buddha -- Later Biographies of the Buddha -- Buddha Nature in the Jātakanidāna -- Western Preconceptions of the Theravada Buddha -- The Three Parinibbāna of the Buddha -- Summary -- References -- 2 Buddha Worship -- Overview -- The Ubiquity of Buddha Worship in Theravada -- Leadership After the Parinibbāna of the Buddha -- Theravada Groups That Eschew Buddha Worship -- The Benefits of Buddha-Worship -- Practices That Treat the Buddha as Present in His Image -- Consecration of Buddha Images -- The Making of the First Statue -- Devotion and Meditation Contrasted -- Devotion and Meditation Combined -- A Litany for Devotional Practices in Preparation for Meditation -- The Importance of Devotion to the Buddha in the Visuddhimagga -- Nondoctrinal Analyses of Buddha Worship -- The Relic and Image as Creators of Communities -- The Buddha in the Museum -- Summary -- References -- Part Two: Dhamma -- 3 Literature, Languages, and Conveying the Dhamma -- Overview -- The Pali Canon -- Oral Performance and Transmission, and the Writing Down of the Canon -- Texts of the Pali Canon and Their Translations into English -- Manuscripts, Councils, Printing, and Digital Dhamma -- The Decline of the Dhamma -- The Pali Canon in Relation to Other Buddhist Canons.

The Criteria for Canonical Inclusion and Apocryphal/Noncanonical sutta Texts -- Commentarial and Other Postcanonical Pali Literature -- Pali Language and Its Use -- Vernacular Literature and Sermons -- Summary -- References -- 4 The Jātaka -- Overview -- The Buddha and His Contemporaries in the Jātaka -- The Place of Jātaka Narratives -- The Audience and the Message -- Merit-Making, Depictions, and Performance -- Women in the Jātaka -- Summary -- References -- 5 The Good Buddhist -- Overview -- Correct Conduct -- Precepts -- Meritorious Action -- Right Livelihood, Vegetarianism, and the First Precept -- Summary -- References -- 6 Meditation -- Overview -- Pali Terms Used for "Meditation" -- The Place of Meditation in Theravada Buddhism -- Authoritative Meditation Texts: Canonical -- Authoritative Meditation Texts: Postcanonical -- Who Meditates? -- Basic Overview of Practices -- Correlation Between Mental States and Cosmological Realms -- Prerequisites and Preparations for Meditation -- Benefits -- Variety of Methods -- Modern Applications: Meditation Beyond Tradition -- Developments in Theravada Meditation Among Western Converts -- Summary -- References -- 7 Abhidhamma -- Overview -- Schools of Abhidhamma -- The Inaccessibility of Abhidhamma -- The Significance of Abhidhamma -- The Special Place of Abhidhamma in Burmese History -- Analysis (bheda) and Synthesis (saṅgaha) -- Conditions and Conditioned -- Commentarial Developments Including Momentariness -- Summary -- References -- Part Three: Sangha and Society -- 8 Monks, Monasteries, and Their Position in Society -- Overview -- The Establishment of the Sangha -- The Place of Ordination in Society -- The Ordination Process -- Rules for Novices and Monks -- Leaving the Sangha -- Hierarchy, Rivalry, and Independent Authority -- Subdivisions of the Theravada Sangha: Nikāya and Sub-nikāya -- Conclusion.

References -- 9 Women in Monasticism -- Overview -- Spiritual Capacity of Women and the Establishment of the Bhikkhunī Lineage -- Subordination of Nuns to Monks: Implications for the Bhikkhunī Lineage -- Precept Nuns -- Summary -- References -- 10 Women in Theravada Literature and Society -- Overview -- Female Invisibility in the Production of Texts -- Mothers -- Protecting Men from Female Power -- A Framework for Patriarchy or Egalitarianism in Theravada Societies? -- Summary -- References -- 11 Feminist Readings of Gender-Related Symbols -- Overview -- Search for Role Models and Exemplary Symbols -- Feminine and Androgynous Symbols -- Embryonic Buddhas -- Limitations and Revelations of Female and Female-Inclusive Symbols -- Summary -- References -- 12 Nonharming, Politics, and Violence -- Overview -- Buddhist Teachings on Nonviolence -- Territorial Authority -- Nineteenth to Early Twentieth Century -- Politics Following the Second World War -- Muslim Majorities and Minorities -- Whither Spirituality? -- Summary -- References -- Glossary -- Index.

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Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2022. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.