ASIAN 4438 - [Monks, Texts, and Relics: Transnational Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia]

(crosslisted)
(also RELST 4438) (CA-AS)

Spring. 4 credits.

Next offered 2012–2013. Co-meets with ASIAN 6638/RELST 6638.

A. Blackburn.

What role did magic and ritual play in the growth of Buddhism in South and Southeast Asia? Where did Buddhist monks travel and why? This course examines how Buddhist communities were formed by networks that carried monks, potent texts, and relic talismans throughout these regions, from the beginning of Buddhism to the present day. (RL)