In this wide-ranging exploration of the creation and use of Buddhist art in Andhra Pradesh; India; Catherine Becker examines how material remains and visual experiences shape and reveal essential human concerns.Shifting Stones; Shaping the Past addresses the fundamental Buddhist question of how humanity progresses centuries after the passing of its teacher; the Buddha Sakyamuni. How might the Buddha's distant teachings be made immediate and accessible? Beginning with an analysis of the spectacular relief sculptures that once adorned the stupas. Over a period of almost two millennia; many of these stupas have fallen into disrepair. While it is tempting to view these monuments as ruins; they are by no means "dead." Turning to the 20th and 21st centuries; Becker analyzes examples of new Buddhist imagery; recent state-sponsored tourism campaigns; and new devotional activities at the sites in order to demonstrate that the stupas of Andhra Pradesh and their sculptural adornments continue to engage the human imagination and are even ascribed innate power and agency. Shifting Stones; Shaping the Past reveals intriguing parallels between ancient uses of imagery and the new social; political; and religious functions of these objects and spaces.
#1099167 in Books 2014-02-12 2014-02-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.20 x 1.00 x 9.20l; .0 #File Name: 0199314594392 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Excellent work.By ByronClothed in the Robes of Sovereignty is an excellent book to understand the Continental Congress and the development of early revolutionary America. Irvin argues that ordinary people helped shape the vision and meaning of the American nation; despite the attempts of Congress to use symbols and artifacts to frame the nation in a specific way. I highly recommend this book to students interested in revolutionary American history.Irvin is an excellent historian; and I hope to read more books of his soon.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The little that they achieved...By George N. WellsThis period of American history has fascinated me for some time. This book looks at the aspect of how the Continental Congress dealt with the ceremonial side of government. While this period was generally a failure to actually do much of anything due to the inability to even get a quorum to do business the Congress did address the ceremonial end of governing. There are other aspects of this period of history that seem to still be with us today.
