World Ethnic Religions and Culture Series (Full 10 volumes)

Author: Zhang Daming et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-02-01
Features: The world's most concentrated Buddhist regions are currently found in Southeast Asia, particularly in mainland Southeast Asia. Not only does Buddhism have a long history of development in these areas, but the majority of the Buddhist population in most countries constitutes a significant portion of the national total. In these countries, Buddhist thought and Buddhist culture have permeated all aspects of social life to such an extent that understanding the development of local Buddhism is essential for interpreting their history and society. In recent decades, the political, economic, and cultural development of Southeast Asian countries has achieved remarkable accomplishments, making the study of Southeast Asia a popular field of academic interest. Even after the financial crisis, Southeast Asia remains one of the world's focal points of attention. People expect a comprehensive and in-depth understanding and recognition of Southeast Asia, including the historically significant and influential Buddhist culture of Southeast Asia. The Buddhist culture of Southeast Asia is rich and diverse, encompassing both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Due to space constraints, this book focuses on Theravada Buddhism, which has had a profound impact on Southeast Asia. It describes and explains aspects such as the ethnic structure of Southeast Asia, geographical positioning, the origins and spread of religion, the religious founders, the relationship between religion and culture, and the influence of religious spirit on society. The aim is to reveal the intrinsic connections between Southeast Asian ethnic groups and Theravada Buddhism, enabling readers to find the key to understanding Southeast Asian history and society through the lens of Buddhist culture. This series also includes content on South Asian Hinduism and Culture, Russian Orthodoxy and Culture, West Asian Islam and Culture, Japanese Shinto and Culture, European Catholicism and Culture, World Judaism and Culture, American Indigenous Religions and Culture, Oceania Religions and Culture, and Central Asian Islam and Culture.