History, Buddhism, and New Religious Movements in Cambodia

David Chandler, Monash University
"A book of extraordinary breadth--from historical studies to chapters on the Khmer diaspora--that is unfailingly accessible and perceptive."

Book Description
This volume showcases some of the most current and exciting research being done on Cambodian religious ideas and practices by a new generation of scholars from a variety of disciplines. The different contributors examine in some manner the relationship between religion and the ideas and institutions that have given shape to Cambodia as a social and political body, or nation. Although they do not share the same approach to the idea of "nation," all are concerned with the processes of religion that give meaning to social interaction, which in some way includes "Cambodian" identity. Chapters touch on such far-reaching theoretical issues as the relation to religion of Southeast Asian polity; the nature of colonial religious transformation; "syncretism" in Southeast Asian Buddhism; the relation of religious icon to national identity, religion and gender; transnationalism and social movements; and identity among diaspora communities. While much has been published on Cambodia's recent civil war and the Pol Pot period and its aftermath, few English-language works are available on Cambodian religion. This book takes a major step in filling that gap, offering a broad overview of the subject that is relevant not only for the field of Cambodian studies, but also for students and scholars of Southeast Asian history, Buddhism, comparative religion, and anthropology.

About the Author
John Marston is professor of Southeast Asian studies at the Center for Asian and African Studies, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico City. Elizabeth Guthrie completed her Ph.D. in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Contributors: Didier Bertrand, Penny Edwards, Elizabeth Guthrie, Hang Chan Sophea, Anne Hansen, John Marston, Kathryn Poethig, Ashley Thompson, Teri Shaffer Yamada.


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

Nine international researchers contribute ten essays examining the ways that Cambodian ideas and practices of religion—specifically, those of the dominant population, the Khmer—relate to the ideas and institutions that have shaped the country as a social and political body. All of the authors are part of a new generation of scholars of Cambodia who began their primary research on Cambodia in the 1990s, when political developments created new openings for Western researchers in the country. Their text is one of the few English-language works currently available on Cambodian religion. For students and scholars of Cambodian studies, Southeast Asian history, Buddhism, comparative religion, and anthropology. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices