Before becoming the second socialist country in the world (after the Soviet Union) in 1921; Mongolia had been a Buddhist feudal theocracy. Combatting the influence of the dominant Buddhist establishment to win the hearts and minds of the Mongolian people was one of the most important challenges faced by the new socialist government. It would take almost a decade and a half to resolve the “lama question;†and it would be answered with brutality; destruction; and mass killings. Chris Kaplonski examines this critical; violent time in the development of Mongolia as a nation-state and its ongoing struggle for independence and recognition in the twentieth century.Unlike most studies that explore violence as the primary means by which states deal with their opponents; The Lama Question argues that the decision to resort to violence in Mongolia was not a quick one; neither was it a long-term strategy nor an out-of control escalation of orders but the outcome of a complex series of events and attempts by the government to be viewed as legitimate by the population. Kaplonski draws on a decade of research and archival resources to investigate the problematic relationships between religion and politics and geopolitics and biopolitics in early socialist Mongolia; as well as the multitude of state actions that preceded state brutality. By examining the incidents and transformations that resulted in violence and by viewing violence as a process rather than an event; his work not only challenges existing theories of political violence; but also offers another approach to the anthropology of the state. In particular; it presents an alternative model to philosopher Georgio Agamben’s theory of sovereignty and the state of exception.The Lama Question will be of interest to scholars and students of violence; the state; biopolitics; Buddhism; and socialism; as well as to those interested in the history of Mongolia and Asia in general.
#1451154 in Books University of Hawaii Press 2003-05-31 2003-05-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x 1.15 x 6.14l; 1.79 #File Name: 0824827716566 pages
Review
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful. New Insight on Medieval Tendai and Kamakura BuddhismBy Kelley L. RossIs Enlightenment something that we acquire? Or are we really Enlightened already and just have to realize that? Is Enlightenment something that will take us uncounted ages to achieve? Or can we achieve Enlightenment in this life and in this body? Such were some of the key issues of Medieval Japanese Buddhism. Some of the most popular conclusions; that we are Enlightened already; i.e. are Originally Enlightened; and that we can achieve Enlightenment in this life and in this body; remain both popular and controversial even today. Jacqueline Stone takes us into the little known world of the Tendai temples and hermitages on Mt. Hiei; the stately mountain above Kyoto; where much of the doctrine of Original Enlightenment thought was developed -- and whence it spread to the famous founders of Kamakura Buddhism; including Honen and Nichiren. Stone gives us a panorama of what was going on; what we known about it (not enough); and the long history of what happened and the debates that continue down to the present; debates that involve scholars; sectarian apologists; and the religious practice of many people; not just in Japan; but around the world. A fundamental book for one of the great; and still growing; religious traditions in the world.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Tendai BuddhismBy ChVEnlightening insight into Tendai Buddhism and its rayonnement.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Somewhat DisappointedBy Robert M. LeifelsAs a long time practitioner of Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism I was excited about this work at first. It is a comprehensive; researched and well organized documentary on the Japanese development of the Lotus Sutra and the various religious sects and their historical leaders.The author publishes photos of various objects of worship. I was saddened to see one copy of a GoHonzon personally inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin. This is disrespectful. There are human sources (Nichiren Shoshu priests) and Temples in the USA. Perhaps a living source could have helped to avoid such a mistake.However; I am still grateful for this book.
