The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri LankaThe Sri Lankan ethnic conflict that has occurred largely between Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus is marked by a degree of religious tolerance that sees both communities worshiping together. This study describes one important site of such worship, the ancient Hindu temple complex of Munnesvaram. Standing adjacent to one of Sri Lanka's historical western ports, the fortunes of the Munnesvaram temples have waxed and waned through the years of turbulence, violence and social change that have been the country's lot since the advent of European colonialism in the Indian Ocean. Bastin recounts the story of these temples and analyses how the Hindu temple is reproduced as a center of worship amidst conflict and competition. |
From inside the book
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Page xv
... called in Tamil, the Hunting Festival amman (Tm.) – goddess Amma Pål (Tm.) – 'Mother Milk', a rare name for the goddess Ambal amr.ta – (Skt.) immortality, ambrosia anavas (Skt.) – ego consciousness Angaharuva (Sinh.) – Mars ankeliya ...
... called in Tamil, the Hunting Festival amman (Tm.) – goddess Amma Pål (Tm.) – 'Mother Milk', a rare name for the goddess Ambal amr.ta – (Skt.) immortality, ambrosia anavas (Skt.) – ego consciousness Angaharuva (Sinh.) – Mars ankeliya ...
Page 1
... called Ceilao (later Ceylon), they were provided with a strong material base to pursue their work in their allotted mission area in the north-west of the island. Perhaps for that reason, the Jesuits applied themselves zealously to the ...
... called Ceilao (later Ceylon), they were provided with a strong material base to pursue their work in their allotted mission area in the north-west of the island. Perhaps for that reason, the Jesuits applied themselves zealously to the ...
Page 11
... nonBuddhist in the terms of Sinhala Buddhist revitalisation. My discussion turns to the relationship between the so-called 'worldly' (Sinh. laukika) and 'superworldly' – 11 – Worship, Difference and Marvellous Potentiality.
... nonBuddhist in the terms of Sinhala Buddhist revitalisation. My discussion turns to the relationship between the so-called 'worldly' (Sinh. laukika) and 'superworldly' – 11 – Worship, Difference and Marvellous Potentiality.
Page 12
... called 'worldly' (Sinh. laukika) and 'superworldly' (lokuttara) in order to describe how Munnesvaram becomes redefined as a site of the worldly through the valorisation of Buddhist ideals. Having done so, I turn more specifically from ...
... called 'worldly' (Sinh. laukika) and 'superworldly' (lokuttara) in order to describe how Munnesvaram becomes redefined as a site of the worldly through the valorisation of Buddhist ideals. Having done so, I turn more specifically from ...
Page 13
... called Saivism. Put simply, Saivism specifies the centrality of the god Siva, his consort and his children. Tamil Saivism is most profoundly influenced by the philosophy and doctrines of Saiva Siddhanta, by the Agama texts that elicit ...
... called Saivism. Put simply, Saivism specifies the centrality of the god Siva, his consort and his children. Tamil Saivism is most profoundly influenced by the philosophy and doctrines of Saiva Siddhanta, by the Agama texts that elicit ...
Contents
| 1 | |
| 15 | |
Chapter 3 Myths and Marginality | 43 |
Chapter 4 Ritual Practices and Religious Identity | 59 |
Chapter 5 The Saivite Temple as a Monumental Architecture | 89 |
Puja and Arccanai | 117 |
Chapter 7 The Presence of Sakti | 133 |
Chapter 8 Guardians Games and the Formation of Power | 145 |
Chapter 9 The World Inside Out | 163 |
Chapter 10 The Domain of Excess | 183 |
Divine Kings and Regal Gods Temples in Society and History | 195 |
References | 213 |
Index | 227 |
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The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in ... Rohan Bastin No preview available - 2002 |
Common terms and phrases
according action active aesthetic Ambal annual associated attend bathing becomes Bhadrakali temple body Brahmins called caste central century Chapter Chilaw closely coconut complex condition deities demonic described developed devotees discussion divine especially ethnic example existence expression festival Figure flag front goddess ground guardian hall Hindu human important Indian inside involves Jaffna Kali Kataragama king lamp land marked meaning movement Munnesvaram temple myth nature Navaratri noted Obeyesekere offerings origin Pattini pattuva performed Pillaiyar popular possibility potency potentiality practice presence priests procession puja regard region relation religious remains reveals rite ritual Saivite temple sense shrine simply Sinh Sinhala Buddhist Sinhalese situation Siva social sorcery space specific Sri Lanka statue stress symbolic takes Tamil Saivite temple’s theme traditions tree village worship