Constituting Communities

Theravāda Buddhism and the Religious Cultures of South and Southeast Asia

By Jacob N. Kinnard, John Clifford Holt, Jonathan S. Walters | Publisher: State University of New York Press

About the book

Constituting Communities explores how community functions within Theravāda Buddhist culture. Although the dominant focus of Buddhist studies for the past century has been on doctrinal and philosophical issues, this volume concentrates on discourses that produced them, and why and how these discourses and practices shaped Theravāda communities in South and Southeast Asia. From a variety of perspectives, including historical, literary, doctrinal and philosophical, and social and anthropological, the contributors explore the issues that have proven important and definitive for identifying what it has meant, individually and socially, to be Buddhist in this particular region. The book focuses on textual discourse, how communities are formed and maintained within pluralistic contexts, and the formation of community both within and between the monastic and lay settings.

Editions of Constituting Communities

Hardcover
ISBN 9780791456910
Paperback
ISBN 9780791456927
PDF
ISBN 9780791487051

Read an Excerpt

Constituting Communities explores how community functions within Theravāda Buddhist culture. Although the dominant focus of Buddhist studies for the past century has been on doctrinal and philosophical issues, this volume concentrates on discourses that produced them, and why and how these discourses and practices shaped Theravāda communities in South and Southeast Asia. From a variety of perspectives, including historical, literary, doctrinal and philosophical, and social and anthropological, the contributors explore the issues that have proven important and definitive for identifying what it has meant, individually and socially, to be Buddhist in this particular region. The book focuses on textual discourse, how communities are formed and maintained within pluralistic contexts, and the formation of community both within and between the monastic and lay settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Constituting Communities about?

Constituting Communities explores how community functions within Theravāda Buddhist culture. Although the dominant focus of Buddhist studies for the past century has been on doctrinal and philosophical issues, this volume concentrates on discourses that produced them, and why and how these discourses and practices shaped Theravāda communities in South and Southeast Asia. From a variety of perspectives, including historical, literary, doctrinal and philosophical, and social and anthropological, the contributors explore the issues that have proven important and definitive for identifying what it has meant, individually and socially, to be Buddhist in this particular region. The book focuses on textual discourse, how communities are formed and maintained within pluralistic contexts, and the formation of community both within and between the monastic and lay settings.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Constituting Communities?

Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Further religions and spiritual beliefs, > East Asian religions and spiritual beliefs

Where can I read a sample of Constituting Communities?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780791456910

How long is Constituting Communities and how many pages does it have?

Constituting Communities has 232 page(s)

Is Constituting Communities part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series SUNY series in Buddhist Studies

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Constituting Communities?

Jacob N. Kinnard, John Clifford Holt, Jonathan S. Walters

Who is the Publisher of the book Constituting Communities?

State University of New York Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Constituting Communities is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780791456910) and paperback(ISBN 9780791456927) and pdf(ISBN 9780791487051)

Where can I buy Constituting Communities online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Constituting Communities from below

Where can I buy Constituting Communities?