Assignment 10

1. Read Strong, The Experience of Buddhism (E-Res), pp. 17-22, describing the following Theravadin Buddhist rituals and festivals: the Rocket Festival, the Tooth Relic Festival, Pirit Chanting and the Victor's Cage.

2. With your study partner, discuss the following issues:

a) In what ways are these rituals Buddhist? What strikes you as rather un-Buddhist? In each case, why?

b) Choose two of the rituals. What theory or combination of theories of ritual we have studied so far seems most helpful in understanding these rituals (symbolic, transformative, mythic enactment, social structure reflection)? Why?

3. Write up the results of your discussion in a 1-2 page paper.