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A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture: Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja - Critical Edition
Contributor(s): Hidas, Gergely (Author)

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 ISBN: 311061765X     ISBN-13: 9783110617658
Publisher: de Gruyter
OUR PRICE: $61.74  

Binding Type: Hardcover - See All Available Formats & Editions
Published: September 2019
Qty:
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Religion | Buddhism - History
- History | Asia - India & South Asia
- Social Science | Regional Studies
Physical Information: 0.5" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" L (0.92 lbs) 152 pages
Themes:
- Religious Orientation - Buddhist
- Cultural Region - Asian
- Cultural Region - Indian
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
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.
 
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