Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Note On Conventions ix
4. Acknowledgments xiii
5. Abbreviations xvii
6. Introduction. Meditation/DHYANA: Focusing On The Maitreya Project 1
7. Part 1: The Transnational Buddhist Statue Makers
8. 1. Community/SANGHA: FPMT’s Transnational Buddhists 19
9. 2. The Teachings/DHARMA: Religious Practice in a Global Buddhist Institution 44
10. 3. The Statue/MURTI: Planning a Colossal Maitreya 66
11. 4. The Relics/SARIRA: Worship and Fundraising with the Relic Tour 93
12. 5. Aspirations/ASHA: Hope, the Future Tense, and Making (Up) Progress on the Maitreya Project 110
13. Part 2: The Kushinagari Resistance
14. 6. Holy Place/TIRTHA: Living in the Place of the Buddha’s Death 141
15. 7. Steadfastness/ADITTHANA: Indian Farmers Resist the Buddha of Love 161
16. 8. Loving-Kindness/MAITRI: Contested Notions of Ethics, Values, and Progress 196
17. 9. Compassion/KARUNA: Reflections on Engaged Anthropology 214
18. Conclusion. Faith/SHRADDHA: Guru Devotion, Authority, and Belief in the Shadow of the Maitreya Project 227
19. Epilogue. Rebirth/SAMSARA: The Future of the Maitreya Project 245
20. Appendix 249
21. Notes 251
22. Glossary 277
23. Bibliography 279
24. Index 297