Book
Open Access
A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture
Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja – Critical Edition
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Gergely Hidas
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Funded by:
European Research Council (ERC)
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2019
About this book
Open Access
This volume is the first in-depth study of a recently discovered Sanskrit dharani spell text from around the 5th century CE surviving in two palm-leaf and three paper manuscript compendia from Nepal. This rare Buddhist scripture focuses on the ritual practice of thaumaturgic weather control for successful agriculture through overpowering mythical Nagas. Traditionally, these serpentine beings are held responsible for the amount of rainfall. The six chapters of the Vajratundasamayakalparaja present the vidyadhara spell-master as a ritualist who uses mandalas, mudras and other techniques to gain mastery over the Nagas and thus control the rains. By subjugating the Nagas, favourable weather and good crops are guaranteed. This links this incantation tradition to economic power and the securing of worldly support for the Buddhist community.
Author / Editor information
Gergely Hidas, British Museum, London.
Topics
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V |
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VII |
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37 |
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131 |
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137 |
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
September 2, 2019
eBook ISBN:
9783110621051
Hardcover published on:
September 2, 2019
Hardcover ISBN:
9783110617658
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Front matter:
7
Main content:
145
Coloured Illustrations:
5
Audience(s) for this book
Scholars of Buddism, religious agriculture, and ancient texts
Creative Commons
BY-NC-ND 4.0
Safety & product resources
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Manufacturer information:
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Genthiner Straße 13
10785 Berlin
productsafety@degruyterbrill.com
