Dust on the Throne: The Search for Buddhism in Modern India

Received 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.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 394 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Received 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.

Dust 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.

Through 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The fourth chapter explores the role of Buddhism in shaping modern Indian history. It examines the impact of Buddhism on Indian national identity and the development of Indian secularism, as well as the role of Buddhist leaders in promoting Indian civil rights and social justice. The chapter also discusses the emergence of Buddhist movements and organizations in India in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, such as the Dalit Buddhist movement and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

The fifth and final chapter examines the future of Buddhism in India and the challenges that it faces. It discusses the role of Buddhist leaders and organizations in promoting Buddhist values and teachings in contemporary India, as well as the challenges that Buddhism faces in the face of rising Hindu nationalism and religious fundamentalism. The chapter also discusses the potential for Buddhist-Hindu dialogue and cooperation in promoting social and political change in India.

In 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 new perspective on the history and development of Buddhism in the subcontinent. It challenges the conventional narrative that Buddhism disappeared from India and highlights the integral role that Indians played in the making of modern global Buddhism. The book provides a wealth of information and insights into the various aspects of Buddhist religious dynamics, cultural impact, and historical significance, and is an essential read for anyone interested in the study of Buddhism and South Asian history.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503635036