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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... (Sinh.) – noun form of paligahanavå (rarely used in place of the gerund) pal.iyidukkurudu (Tm.) – 'striking revenge ... (Sinh.) – Buddhist temple/school paråvåc (Skt.) – the first word parinibbåna (Sinh.) – Buddha's death and release ...
... (Sinh.) – anklet Salåbamapüra (Tm.) – 'The City of the Pearl Fishery', Tamil name of Chilaw Salågama (Sinh.) – caste traditionally associated with weaving and cinnamon peeling ßalava (Sinh.) – weaving hall, possible source of the name ...
... (Sinh.) – the custodians of the three divisions, name for a class of guardian gods tvagdosa (Skt.) – leprosy ud-su (Skt.) – 'to stir up, agitate' u∂upila (Sinh.) – upper team in the ritual games for Pattini ul.vithi (Tm.) – inner road ...
... (Sinh.) – Buddhist temple consisting of deity shrines, relic shrines and resident monks vimåna (Skt.) – the tower above the temple inner sanctum vimarsa (Skt.) – 'critical juncture', the point of appearance. Key concept in Kashmiri ...
... I asked what was going on, I was told that a powerful guardian (Sinh. Kadavara)8 had manifested in the tree and was causing dozens of people to go into trance. Others named different – 3– Worship, Difference and Marvellous Potentiality.
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 |