Fw: New Book: Thus Have I Seen..., by Andy Rotman

I am pleased to announce the publication of my new book, Thus Have I Seen: Visualizing Faith in Early Indian Buddhism. I hope it will be of interest to a wide variety of H-Buddhism subscribers. Below I have included the product details, description, and reviews from the publisher's website.

PRODUCT DETAILS
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Language: English
Price: $74
ISBN-13: 978-0195366150
http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/ReligionTheology/Hinduism/?view=usa&ci=9780195366150

DESCRIPTION
Although Buddhism is often depicted as a religion of meditators andphilosophers, some of the earliest writings extant in India offer a very different portrait of the Buddhist practitioner. In Indian Buddhist narratives from the early centuries of the Common Era, most lay religious practice consists not of reading, praying, or meditating, but of visually engaging with certain kinds of objects. These visual practices, moreover, are represented as the primary means of cultivating faith, a necessary precondition for proceeding along the Buddhist spiritual path. In Thus Have I Seen: Visualizing Faith in Early Indian Buddhism, Andy Rotman examines these visual practices and how they function as a kind of skeleton key for opening up Buddhist conceptualizations about the world and the ways it should be navigated.

Rotman's analysis is based primarily on stories from the Divyavadana (Divine Stories), one of the most important collections of ancient Buddhist narratives from India. Though discourses of the Buddha are well known for their opening words, "Thus have I heard"—for Buddhist teachings were first preserved and transmitted orally—the Divyavadana presents a very different model for disseminating the Buddhist dharma. Devotees are enjoined to look, not just hear, and visual legacies and lineages are shown to trump their oral counterparts. As Rotman makes clear, this configuration of the visual fundamentally transforms the world of the Buddhist practitioner, changing what one sees, what one believes, and what one does.

REVIEWS
"This book is a significant contribution to the field of Buddhist Studies on at least three counts: it explores the neglected literary genre of Sanskrit legends (the avadana, in particular the collection known as the Divyavadana); in so doing, it emphasizes the importance of the visual dimensions of the experience of the Buddha, in contradistinction to the aural ("Thus Have I Seen" instead of "Thus Have I Heard"); and it unpacks various typologies of Buddhist faith and devotion, paying attention to their experiential but also their sociological contexts. I highly recommend this work to anyone interested in the religious dimensions of Indian Buddhism." -- John Strong, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Bates College.

"This is an excellent and important book that explores some of the central Indian Buddhist narratives—an often ignored aspect of the tradition. Rotman's most important contribution, however, is his ability to connect the analysis of this important material with relevant theoretical concerns such as the role of devotion in Buddhism, the role of visual culture therein, and the place of gift exchange in this tradition. In short, a must read for all those interested in these important issues and in Indian Buddhism and its narratives." -- Georges B. Dreyfus, Religion Department, Williams College.

"This brilliantly original and accessible work restores the visual dimension to the erotic mercantilism of early Buddhism. Rotman's illuminating reading of the Divyavadana reveals the power of images and the manner in which an authoritative seeing generated faith in early Buddhism's embodied mechanics of efficacy. This remarkable study of the archaeology of looking deserves the attention of all those working on visuality and the 'sacred gaze.'" -- Christopher Pinney, author of Photos of the Gods: The Printed Image and Political Struggle in India.

(...)

Andy Rotman
Associate Professor
Religion Department
Smith College
Pierce Hall 203
Northampton, MA 01063

http://www.smith.edu/religion/fac_arotman.html

Advayavada Study Plan - week 14

Friends,

This week we again have the first preliminary subject of our Study Plan: the First Sign of Being, i.e. the first fact of life: omnia mutantur, everything changes, the impermanence and changeability of everything, of all existents, including ourselves.

Actual and potential change are the most important aspects of pratityasamutpada, interdependent origination, meaning that 'all causes are effects and all effects are causes', which is the universal dynamic principle of existence.

The purpose of the ASP is that we study and discuss the meaning and implications of the weekly subject particularly in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the group, sangha, society at large, etc.

Tip: Write down this week's subject (e.g. 'impermanence') in your pocket diary!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>

Burma: Free Aung San Suu Kyi (Avaaz)

Dear friends,

Burmese pro democracy leader and Nobel peace prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, has spent 13 years detained by the Burmese military junta. She and thousands of fellow monks and students have been imprisoned for bravely challenging their brutal regime with calls for democracy. This week a glimmer of hope has risen for their release, and it's time for us to stand with them.

Risking danger to speak out for their jailed friends, Burmese activists this week demanded the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners and called on the world to help. As the global economic crisis makes aid flows more essential, Burma's generals are becoming more vulnerable to international pressure, but we need a flood of petition signatures to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to make this a top priority. Follow the link to sign the petition, and forward this email on to make sure she and her fellow prisoners are freed:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_burma_political_prisoners

The Burmese organizers have set a goal of 888,888 signatures. The number 8 is powerful in Burmese culture, and the ruling junta is extremely superstitious - such a large and significant number might have a special influence on them. But this issue isn't in the headlines, so to build our numbers we need to forward this email and persuade our friends to help.

Aung San Suu Kyi is the international face of the struggle for democracy in Burma. She has been detained over and over again since 1988. She is now under house arrest and is allowed no contact with the outside world.

But growing international pressure is working -- In December, 112 former Presidents and Prime Ministers from 50 countries sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging him to press for the release of all political prisoners, and 20 political prisoners were released in February after a United Nations envoy visited the country.

Sources now say that the military regime is fearful of this unified and massive online call to the UN -- over 160 Burma exile and solidarity groups in 24 countries are participating in the campaign. But it will take all of us and all our friends signing this petition to get Mr Ban's attention. Avaaz has done it before for Burma - we can do it again. Click here to stop
the arrests and brutality:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_burma_political_prisoners

This is one of those times where if enough of us act we can truly make a difference. Let's join the courageous Burmese democracy activists in jail and in hiding and help end this violent repression.

In hope and solidarity,

Alice, Ricken, Pascal, Graziela, Veronique, Iain, Paul, Luis, Paula, Brett and the whole Avaaz team

For more about the Global Campaign visit:
http://www.fbppn.net/?page_id=582

For more about Burmese political prisoners visit:
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46118

Article on torture in Burmese jails:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/02/AR2006010201865.html

Some prisoners release after UN envoy visit February 2009:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/22/AR2009022201188.html

Letter from former presidents:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/index.php/burma/news/Letter-from-112-Former-Presidents-and-Prime-Ministers-to-UN-Secretary-Gener

For more about Aung San Suu Kyi visit:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/aboutburma/aung_san_suu_kyi.htm

Fwd by
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>

IHEU 1st World Untouchability Conference

This is a special update from International Humanist and Ethical Union

FIRST WORLD UNTOUCHABILITY CONFERENCE -- LONDON -- 9-10 JUNE 2009

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is organizing the first "World Conference on Untouchability" at Conway Hall Humanist Centre, London, UK, on June 9 and 10, 2009. The conference will bring together activists and experts from around the world to explore a problem that afflicts nearly 250 million people in countries from Japan to Nigeria.

"Untouchability" - the social exclusion of people because of the population they are born into - used to be common in Europe and persists in Bangladesh, Burma, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Yemen and elsewhere. The IHEU 'World Conference on Untouchability' is the first conference of its kind to explore untouchability in many different cultures and to bring together activists to share strategies that have helped untouchable communities around the world. Campaigners plan to use the conference as the launch pad for a global campaign against untouchability.

"There are no ethnic differences between untouchables and the people who discriminate against them. Yet untouchability is akin to
the scourge of racism in its denial of humanity to people because of the social group they are born into," says Sonja Eggerickx, president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union. "We hope that this first world conference on untouchability will lead to a global campaign to tackle untouchability with the same resolve the world has fought racism."

The IHEU 'World Conference on Untouchability' is supported by the British Humanist Association and South Place Ethical Society. The conference starts at 9 am, Tuesday, June 9 and ends at noon on June 10. The cost is GBP 75. Register now at http://www.humanism.org.uk/june2009

For more information contact Matt Cherry at pr@iheu.org

A SPECIAL APPEAL

Please Help the Victims of the Worst Religious Bigotry

Imagine that because of your birth you are only allowed to do one job: cleaning up human excrement. Imagine being born into a group that is never allowed to mix with the rest of society. In India, they used to be called "Untouchables" and are now known as "Dalits". They are, in the most literal sense, outcastes. They have been historically excluded from human society, and deprived of the most basic opportunities.

Untouchability is not just a problem in Hindu societies or South Asia. Untouchability afflicts nearly 250 million people in countries including Bangladesh, Burma, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Yemen. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is organizing the first "World Conference on Untouchability" at Conway Hall Humanist Centre, London, UK, on June 9 and 10, 2009.

The conference will bring together activists, experts and government representatives to share strategies that have helped untouchable communities around the world. Campaigners plan to use the conference
as the launch pad for a global campaign against untouchability.

But we need your help.

Activists from untouchable communities can provide hard-earned expertise and inspiring passion. But they, and the communities they represent, have been deprived of resources. Simply put, they need money. Please consider a donation to IHEU to pay to bring untouchability activists to the first "World Conference on Untouchability" in London, UK, in June 2009.

You can donate right now by going to: http://www.iheu.org/donate

Thank you.

--

International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the world umbrella organisation for Humanist, ethical culture, rationalist, secularist and freethought groups. Based in London, it is an international NGO with Special Consultative Status with the UN (New York, Geneva, Vienna), General Consultative Status at UNICEF (New York) and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), and it maintains operational relations with UNESCO (Paris).

Its mission is to build and represent the global Humanist movement, to defend human rights and to promote Humanist values world-wide. IHEU
sponsors the triennial World Humanist Congress.

You can find out more about IHEU on our web site <http://www.iheu.org>

To forward this message to a friend, visit
http://www.iheu.org/lists/?p=forward&uid=ccc1d72b8a947cda2f4fd0afe5357199&mid=151

To sign up for IHEU newsletters, please visit this page
<http://www.iheu.org/newsletter>

Fwd by
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>

Global Rescue Now! (Avaaz)

Dear friends,

Within days, world leaders are meeting at the London G20 Summit to tackle the global economic crisis -- we desperately need them to agree to invest in a green recovery and a bold global rescue package of stimulus, regulation and fundamental reform.

But without a massive outcry for bold action in the next few days, our leaders could fail this historic test. So we're launching an emergency petition to the London Summit -- it will be delivered direct to summit officials and leaders and in a thousands-strong march this weekend, follow this link to add your voice:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/global_economic_rescue

A global depression could threaten everything we care about - breeding poverty, war, environmental devastation and threatening our jobs and our children's futures. But there is a way to stop it -- a powerful, coordinated rescue package where governments governments agree to invest in a green recovery together, make funds available to prevent vulnerable emerging economies from collapsing, properly regulate global financial markets and democratise institutions like the International Monetary Fund.

Leaders are far from consensus on this kind of bold global action - that's why we're pressing them with this citizens' call and taking to the streets. The world's media will be in London to cover the summit, and with thousands of Avaaz members in green hard hats and carrying flags and banners on our behalf, the march will get big coverage and grab leaders' attention.

Everyone who participates will also have a chance to vote on the principles and reforms needed to rebuild the global economy -- and all our demands will be delivered to the G20 summit, so please sign the petition now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/global_economic_rescue

In 1933, world leaders met in London -- and failed to stop a global depression that lasted a decade. In 2009, the people of the world must be right there challenging our leaders, demanding that they get it right.

With hope and determination,

Paul, Graziela, Ricken, Paula, Ben, Brett, Luis, Alice, Milena, Iain and the whole Avaaz team

Fwd by
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>

The Pope versus condoms (Avaaz)

Dear friends,

This week, on his first visit to Africa, Pope Benedict said that "[AIDS] cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems".

The Pope's statement is at odds with the research on AIDS prevention, and a setback to decades of hard work on AIDS education and awareness. With powerful moral influence over more than 1.1 billion Catholics in the world, and 22 million HIV positive Africans, these words could dramatically affect the AIDS pandemic and put millions of lives at risk. Worldwide concern is starting to show results and a willingness by the Vatican to revise the statement - sign our urgent petition asking the Pope to take care not to undermine proven AIDS prevention strategies:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pope_benedict_petition

The personal beliefs of Catholics and all people should be respected, and the Pope does advocate for other AIDS prevention methods such as abstinence and fidelity that can be effective when combined with condom use. The Catholic Church engages in a vast amount of social service work, including the care of those living with AIDS. But the Pope's claim that condom distribution is not an effective AIDS prevention mechanism is not supported by research. It's untrue, and if it diminishes condom use, it will be deadly.

The fact is, HIV and AIDS are prevented by condom use. There is no easy solution to the spread of this tragic disease, but condoms and education are the best known prevention combination and have not been found to increase risky sexual behaviour. That is why even priests and nuns working in Africa have questioned the Pope's statements.

We may not be able to ask the Catholic Church to change its broader position, but we are asking the Pope to stop actively speaking out against prevention strategies that work. It's important that people of all beliefs, especially Catholics, call on the Pope to exercise care in his leadership on this issue. Sign below then spread the word to your friends and family -
this petition could actually save lives:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pope_benedict_petition

25 million people worldwide have already died of AIDS, and 12 million children have been left without parents. If enough of us join this outcry, we will win an important battle in the struggle for a world without AIDS.

With hope,

Ricken, Alice, Ben, Graziela, Iain, Brett, Paula, Pascal, Luis, Paul, Veronique, Milena and the whole Avaaz team

Sources:

The Pope's statement opposing condoms (BBC):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7951839.stm

European governments criticise Pope Benedict for his statement
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7950671.stm

Condoms 'aggravate' AIDS scourge, Pope says:
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=1399781

CNN Report on the Pope's anti-condom position:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhxqvVmgEbg&feature=related

Vatican backtracking on condom statement:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5934912.ece

Growth of the Catholic Church in Africa, see:
http://www.zenit.org/article-18894?l=english and
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29777984/

South African Bishop supporting condom use:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29777984/

UNAIDS Report on the AIDS epidemic:
http://www.unaids.org/en/CountryResponses/Regions/default.asp

Fwd by
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>

Advayavada Study Plan - week 13

Friends,

In Advayavada Buddhism, the Noble Eightfold Path is interpreted dynamically as an ongoing and autonomous, non-prescriptive, investigative and creative process of progressive insight reflecting in human terms overall existence advancing over time.

By following the Noble Eightfold Path thus you get in tune with wondrous overall existence advancing over time; sorrow, doubt and remorse immediately start disappearing; and your life at once gathers new impetus.

Last week's subject was the Seventh Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) observation, evaluation and self-correction of our efforts.

This week's ASP subject is the Eighth Step on the Noble Eightfold Path: our very best (samyak, samma) meditation or concentration towards an increasingly real experience of samadhi.

samadhi = total concentration (of the mind, cf. enstasy); non-dualistic state of consciousness in which the experiencing subject becomes one with the experienced object; total absortion in the object of meditation; transcendence of the relationship between mind and object; merging of subject and object; to contemplate the world without any perception of objects; suspension of judgement; satori; bodhi; rigpa; realization of the sameness of the part and the whole, of the identity of form and emptiness, of samsara and nirvana, of the immediate and the ultimate; mystic oneness; perfect attunement with wondrous overall existence; oceanic feeling; wonder, awe, rapture; essential purity; deep love and compassion; awareness of our common ground.

The purpose of the ASP is that we study and discuss the meaning and implications of the weekly subject particularly in the context of whatever we ourselves are presently doing or are concerned with, or about, such as our health, relationships, work, study, and our place and responsibilities in the group, sangha, society at large, etc.

Tip: Write down this week's subject (e.g. 'meditation week') in your pocket
diary!

John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>