I would like to start a series of posts about lesser-known publications in Buddhist Studies that I have found stimulating, innovative or challenging. Through these posts I hope to draw more attention to works that I believe provide new direction to the field of Buddhist Studies. The first work (in two volumes) I would like to introduce is “Sacerdotal Succession of Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks” by Kapila P. Vimaladharma:
Vimaladharma, Kapila P. Sacerdotal Succession of Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks. Vol. 1-2. Kandy: Varuni Publishers, 2003.
In these first two volumes of a planned five-volume series on sacerdotal succession, Vimaladharma explores the ordination lineages since 1753 of the Malwatte and Asigiriya fraternities, two sub-divisions of the Siyam Nikaya order of Sri Lankan Buddhism. In tracing these monastic ordination lineages, Vimaladharma is able to map with great accuracy the movements and activities of the monks of these orders, while also tracing their relationship to social, religious and political power structures. This innovative use of archival records of monastic lineages provides an incredibly rich picture of the development of the monastic sangha during this period.
A review of the work by Prof. Anuradha Seneviratne can be found here.
February 15, 2012 at 2:10 pm
What do you mean when you say that this book could “provide new directions to the field of Buddhist studies”? Is it because it focuses on a less-studied topic or because of its methodology, which could be applied to other cases?
If the former, I am ready to start arguing about the fact that not everything deserves being studied;-)
February 15, 2012 at 7:22 pm
The reasons are both of those you indicate. Firstly, by tracing these monastic lineages, for the first time we can clearly see how monastic power was transferred, whether through familial ties, local associations, scholastic lineages etc. This information can then be used to ascertain the relationship between other aspects of culture, such as literature and its production, and the power structures through which monastic ordination took place. By viewing literary cultures through these monastic lineages, for instance, we can also see how certain disciplines and religious practices were restricted to certain groups in certain areas. From the perspective of the cultural history of Buddhism, this would all be quite revolutionary!