{"product_id":"dust-on-the-throne-the-search-for-buddhism-in-modern-india-9781503635029","title":"Dust on the Throne: The Search for Buddhism in Modern India","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eReceived wisdom has it that Buddhism disappeared from India between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, but this is only part of the story. Dust on the Throne: Buddhism in Modern India reframes discussions about the place of Buddhism in the subcontinent from the early nineteenth century onwards, uncovering the integral role that Indians played in the making of modern global Buddhism in the century prior to Ambedkar's conversion. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 394 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 03 April 2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Stanford University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReceived wisdom holds that Buddhism disappeared from India, the land of its birth, between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, long forgotten until British colonial scholars re-discovered it in the early 1800s. Its full-fledged revival, so the story goes, only occurred in 1956, when the Indian civil rights pioneer Dr. B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with half a million of his Dalit (formerly untouchable) followers. This, however, is only part of the story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDust on the Throne: Reframing Discussions about the Place of Buddhism in the Subcontinent from the Early Nineteenth Century Onwards uncovers the integral, yet unacknowledged, role that Indians played in the making of modern global Buddhism in the century prior to Ambedkar's conversion, and the numerous ways that Buddhism gave powerful shape to modern Indian history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough an extensive examination of disparate materials held at archives and temples across South Asia, Douglas Ober explores Buddhist religious dynamics in an age of expanding colonial empires, intra-Asian connectivity, and the histories of Buddhism produced by nineteenth and twentieth-century Indian thinkers. While Buddhism in contemporary India is often disparaged as being little more than tattered manuscripts and crumbling ruins, this book opens new avenues for understanding its substantial socio-political impact and intellectual legacy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book begins by tracing the early history of Buddhism in India, from its arrival in the subcontinent in the first century CE to its flourishing in the fifth and sixth centuries CE. It highlights the role of Indian kings and emperors in promoting and sponsoring Buddhism, as well as the contributions of Indian scholars and monks to the development of Buddhist philosophy and practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe second chapter explores the spread of Buddhism to Southeast Asia and East Asia in the centuries following its arrival in India. It examines the role of Indian missionaries and traders in spreading Buddhism to these regions, as well as the impact of Buddhism on local cultures and societies. The chapter also discusses the emergence of different Buddhist schools and traditions in these regions, such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe third chapter examines the role of Buddhism in shaping Indian society and culture in the centuries following its arrival. It highlights the contributions of Buddhist monks and scholars to Indian literature, art, and philosophy, as well as the impact of Buddhist teachings on Indian social and political institutions. The chapter also discusses the emergence of Buddhist nationalism in India in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the role of Buddhist leaders in promoting Indian independence and social reform.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fourth chapter explores the role of Buddhism in shaping modern Indian society and culture. It examines the impact of Buddhism on Indian politics, education, and social reform, as well as the emergence of Buddhist movements and organizations in contemporary India. The chapter also discusses the challenges and controversies surrounding Buddhism in modern India, such as the rise of Hindu nationalism and the rise of fundamentalism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fifth and final chapter examines the future of Buddhism in India and the world. It discusses the challenges and opportunities that Buddhism faces in the twenty-first century, such as the rise of secularism and the challenges posed by climate change and global inequality. The chapter also discusses the potential for Buddhism to contribute to the development of a more just and sustainable world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, Dust on the Throne: Reframing Discussions about the Place of Buddhism in the Subcontinent from the Early Nineteenth Century Onwards is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on the history and development of Buddhism in the subcontinent. It challenges the conventional narrative of Buddhism's decline and revival in India and highlights the integral role that Indians played in the making of modern global Buddhism. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history, philosophy, and culture of Buddhism, as well as for those interested in the broader study of South Asian history and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 229 x 152 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781503635029\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Douglas Ober","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44162062418170,"sku":"9781503635029","price":67.83,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1680878068558_book.jpg?v=1681111266","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/dust-on-the-throne-the-search-for-buddhism-in-modern-india-9781503635029","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}