In this Book
- Of Beggars and Buddhas: The Politics of Humor in the Vessantara Jataka in Thailand
- Book
- 2017
- Published by: University of Wisconsin Press
- Series: New Perspectives in Se Asian Studies
summary
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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- List of Illustrations
- pp. ix-x
- Acknowledgments
- pp. xi-xiv
- Note on Transliteration
- pp. xv-xvi
- Part I: Diversity in Humor
- 1. Central Thailand: Humor Defeated
- pp. 39-80
- 2. Northeastern Thailand: Humor Diverted
- pp. 81-122
- 3. Northern Thailand: Humor Delighted
- pp. 123-166
- Part II: The Politics of Diversity
- 5. Jujaka as Threat: Consolidating Control
- pp. 208-242
- Conclusion: The Journey’s End
- pp. 267-274
- Bibliography
- pp. 309-344
Additional Information
ISBN
9780299309534
Related ISBN(s)
9780299309503, 9780299309541
MARC Record
OCLC
970619080
Pages
376
Launched on MUSE
2017-01-31
Language
English
Open Access
No