Toward a History of Theravada Cosmological Literature

In European-language research on Theravada Buddhism, it is sometimes noted with regret that, so far, there are few systematic studies or histories of Theravada cosmology. In addition, the accounts of Theravada cosmology that exist are largely based on only a selective reading of the tradition's...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Gornall, Alastair (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: University of Chicago Press 2024
In: History of religions
Year: 2024, Volume: 63, Issue: 4, Pages: 327-348
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Theravada / Cosmology
IxTheo Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
BL Buddhism
KBM Asia
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:In European-language research on Theravada Buddhism, it is sometimes noted with regret that, so far, there are few systematic studies or histories of Theravada cosmology. In addition, the accounts of Theravada cosmology that exist are largely based on only a selective reading of the tradition's earliest literature. This is particularly remarkable since monastic intellectuals in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia have produced a considerable body of traditional cosmological thought over the last two thousand years. This article offers some suggestions and observations about how we might begin to historicize this literature about the loka. The first part assesses previous approaches to traditional cosmology and explores why it has been so neglected. The second part presents a historical outline of Theravada writings about the loka beginning with the Pāli canon and its commentaries. Finally, the article explores the development of an influential but neglected cosmological model in the Theravada tradition.
ISSN:1545-6935
Contains:Enthalten in: History of religions
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1086/729672