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In the Buddha's penultimate incarnation, he appears as the Prince Vessantara. Perfecting the virtue of generosity, he gives away all his possessions, and even hands over his two children to the beggar Jujaka. This story was once better known across Theravada Buddhist Southeast Asia than the life of the Buddha himself. In Thailand, regional retellings have included humor and sly antiroyalist themes, despite efforts by the Bangkok monarchy to suppress them. Focusing on Jujaka, Katherine A. Bowie traces variations of this famous story, noting changes from its historical emphasis on generosity in feudal society to new emphases on prosperity and tourism under capitalism.

Table of Contents

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  1. Cover
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  1. Half Title, Series Page, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication
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  1. Contents
  2. pp. vii-viii
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  1. List of Illustrations
  2. pp. ix-x
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  1. Acknowledgments
  2. pp. xi-xiv
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  1. Note on Transliteration
  2. pp. xv-xvi
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  1. Introduction: Of Monarchs, Monks, and Peasant Masses
  2. pp. 3-36
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  1. Part I: Diversity in Humor
  1. 1. Central Thailand: Humor Defeated
  2. pp. 39-80
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  1. 2. Northeastern Thailand: Humor Diverted
  2. pp. 81-122
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  1. 3. Northern Thailand: Humor Delighted
  2. pp. 123-166
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  1. Part II: The Politics of Diversity
  1. 4. Jujaka as Trickster: The Peasant Imaginaire
  2. pp. 169-207
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  1. 5. Jujaka as Threat: Consolidating Control
  2. pp. 208-242
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  1. 6. Jujaka as Deity: Rebirths under Global Capitalism
  2. pp. 243-266
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  1. Conclusion: The Journey’s End
  2. pp. 267-274
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  1. Notes
  2. pp. 275-308
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  1. Bibliography
  2. pp. 309-344
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  1. Index
  2. pp. 345-358
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  1. Series Titles
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