Dreaming the Great Brahmin explores the creation and recreation of Buddhist saints through narratives, poetry, art, ritual, and even dream visions. The first comprehensive cultural and literary history of the well-known Indian Buddhist poet saint Saraha, known as the Great Brahmin, this book argues that we should view Saraha not as the founder of a tradition, but rather as its product. Kurtis Schaeffer shows how images, tales, and teachings of Saraha were transmitted, transformed, and created by members of diverse Buddhist traditions in Tibet, India, Nepal, and Mongolia. The result is that there is not one Great Brahmin, but many. More broadly, Schaeffer argues that the immense importance of saints for Buddhism is best understood by looking at the creative adaptations of such figures that perpetuated their fame, for it is there that these saints come to life.
目次
Front Matter Introduction Part I Traditions of Saraha in Tibet 1 Tales of the Great Brahmin 2 Meeting the Great Brahmin in Rituals, Paintings, and Dreams 3 Contesting the Great Brahmin Part II Traditions of Saraha’s Songs in Tibet 4 Bringing the Treasury of Dohā Verses to Tibet 5 Commentary and Controversy on the Treasury of Dohā Verses in Tibet 6 Creating the Treasury of Dohā Verses 7 Recreating the Treasury of Dohā Verses Part III The Treasury of Dohā Verses and Ornamental Flower for the Dohās Introduction to the Commentary Ornamental Flower for the Dohās Epilogue End Matter
