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Buddhism as/in Perfo...
Buddhism as/in Performance
Analysis of Meditation and Theatrical Practice by: David E.R. GeorgeIt explores the art and concept of performance in varied Buddhist traditions Chinese, Japanese, Sri Lankan and others. It explains theatrical performances representing Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana cultures, with extensive endnotes and bibliographical references.
₹450.00
ISBN: 9788124601235
Year Of Publication: 2011
Edition: 2nd
Pages : ix, 225
Bibliographic Details : Bibliography; Index
Language : English
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Size: 23 cm.
Weight: 500
Professor George has ventured into a comparatively unchartered area seeking, as he does, to explore the art and concept of performance in Buddhism more specially in the context of Buddhist meditation and theatre. Spelling out the epistemology of performance in all its different connotations and definitional nuances, his study opens out an astonishingly vast panorama of the Buddhist theatrical practices in Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Nepal, Tibet . . . and goes on to demonstrate how, within this panorama, three kinds of theatrical practice can be identified, each corresponding to one of the three paths open to a Buddhist: the karma path, the Bodhisattva option, and enlightenment, and each representative of one of the three main cultures of Buddhism the Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana. Supported by extensive endnotes and bibliographic references, Dr. Georges book also carries a range of case studies of the art of performance in Buddhism, with definitive examples, among others, of the Sri Lankan Kandy dance and Karma drama, Tibetan Chams and Chod, and Japanese Noh. Buddhism as/in Performance is a commendable piece of painstaking research, presented in a jargonless, compellingly readable style. It is certainly a pre-eminent contribution to drama studies, particularly of Buddhist theatrical practices.
Preface
Part I
The Theory
Buddhism as Performance
1. The Epistemology of Performance
Theatre and Performance
Performance: Eight Epistemological Theses
Summarizing
2. Buddhist Epistemology: The World as Performance
Temporality
Insubstantiality
Other Universes
No Self
In-between
Meditation As Performance
Conclusion
Part II
The Case Studies
Buddhism in Performance
3. Karma Drama: The Hinayana; Sri Lanka
Introduction
Kandy Dance; The Classical Case
Karma Drama
Buddhist Performance Epistemology in Practice
Conclusion: From Karma to Nirvana
4. Theatre of Compassion: The Vajrayana; Tibet
The Mahayana
Tantra
Tibet
Chams
Chod
5. Bodhi-drama: Zen; Japan
Introductory: The Terms
Nirvana
Shunyata
Tathata
Satori
Hana
Japanese Buddhism
Noh Performance
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
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