Curators of the Buddha: The Study of Buddhism under Colonialism 1st Edition
by Donald S. Lopez Jr. (Editor)
4.6 out of 5 stars 10 ratings
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Curators of the Buddha is the first critical history of the study of Buddhism in the West and the first work to bring the insights of colonial and postcolonial cultural studies to bear on this field.
After an overview of the origins of Buddhist studies in the early nineteenth century, the essays focus on important "curators of the Buddha," such as Aurel Stein, D. T. Suzuki, and Carl Jung, who, as they created and maintained the discipline, played a significant role in disseminating knowledge about Buddhism in the West. The essays bring to life many of the important but unexamined social, political, and cultural conditions that have shaped the course of Buddhist studies for more than a century—and have frequently distorted the understanding of a complex set of traditions. Contributors Charles Hallisey, Gustavo Benavides, Stanley Abe, Luis Gómez, Robert Sharf, and Donald Lopez challenge some of the most enduring ideas in Buddhist studies: that Zen Buddhism is, above all, an experience; that Tibetan Buddhism is polluted, or pristine; that the Buddha image is of Greek or Roman origin; that the classical text supersedes the vernacular, as the manuscript supersedes the informant; and many others.
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Donald S. Lopez Jr. is the Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan.
Product details
Publisher : University of Chicago Press; 1st edition (August 15, 1995)
Language : English
Paperback : 298 pages
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Donald S. Lopez
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States
Freedom Cole
5.0 out of 5 stars A post-colonial analysis
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2017
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I read the section called "Oriental Wisdom and the Cure of Souls: Jung and the Indian East." It is a good post-colonial look at Jung and the East.
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Left Coast Rebel
5.0 out of 5 stars required reading for Buddhists
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2015
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Necessary for any student of Buddhism in order to understand the way that our understanding of Buddhism has been molded by colonialism.
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Alberto Satisfaction
5.0 out of 5 stars Very deep and insightful essays.
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2014
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I haven't read all the essays yet, but there's an essay about Suzuki and how zen as we know it is not really the "real" one practiced in Japan. There are some very good things to consider after this texts. Obviously, this is more for people interested in the history of buddhism and buddhist studies. Completely recommended if you're into this in an academic way.
4 people found this helpful
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Natalie
Feb 06, 2008Natalie rated it really liked it
Shelves: buddhist-studies
Buddhist studies is finally coming to terms with its colonial roots--perhaps a little later than other disciplines like anthropology, but it's coming along. Not all the essays here are perfect, but all are thought-provoking. This is an important work and well worth the read for anyone interested in Buddhist studies, Western Buddhism, or religious studies. (less)
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Ian
Dec 11, 2007Ian rated it it was amazing
I've used this book for two different classes and will likely go back to it again and again. There's something for everyone here, whether you're interested in Buddhist art or Carl Jung, but the diverse group of writers is unified in their aim to present post-Orientalist critiques that are as revolutionary as they are mentally stimulating. (less)
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