Description
Book SynopsisAn innovative and interpretive overview of the nature of popular religion in Southeast Asia, covering Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, as well as Christianity and the conversion of indigenous peoples.
Trade ReviewPopular Religion in Southeast Asia gives a nice overview of religious life across a vast and incredibly diverse region of the world, providing solid historical information as well as several detailed case studies. Winzeler is the ideal author for such a work, as he is a prolific writer with decades of fieldwork experience in Sarawak, Borneo, in Malaysia as well as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. His expertise informs every page yet despite his extensive knowledge (and the complexity of his subject), he writes in a way that accessible and quite engaging.... Almost any reader interested in religion as a social and economic phenomenon will find this book a rewarding read. * Nova Religio: The Journal Of Alternative And Emergent Religions *
[T]he reader has a sure guide to some of the intricacies and complexities found in religion around the region…. [W]e find here quite a comprehensive survey of many different movements, providing in a single volume an accessible and useful guide and introduction to many major popular practices of Southeast Asia, as well as some colourful and idiosyncratic movements. The political and social contextualization is also well done…. In conclusion, I would encourage scholars of religion from many different traditions and regional specializations to engage this book to see what insights can be gained from the very particular and unusual context of Southeast Asia. Popular Religion in Southeast Asia will provide students with an excellent reference to popular religiosity in this part of the world, while also raising questions about the way we traditionally see orthodox/elite and unorthodox/non-elite practices in general. * Reading Religion *
A well-constructed and accessible introduction to Southeast Asia’s multiple religions—both ‘major’ and ‘indigenous’—in their diverse settings. Winzeler offers solid historical foundation as well as contemporary social and cultural context. The result is an engaging book with much to offer regional specialists and comparative religious studies scholars. -- Kenneth R. Hall, Ball State University
Table of ContentsPREFACE MAPS 1. INTRODUCTION Southeast Asia and its religions Religious content and religious identify Popular and elite levels of religion Practicality and other characteristic of popular religion The chapters that follow 2. THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Religion and states and empires in Asia The modern period The reduction of religious diversity 3. THREE VERSIONS OF POPULAR HINDUISM South Indian Hinduism Hinduism in Indonesia Hinduism in Southeast Asia 4. BUDDHISM AND POPULAR RELIGION Buddhism and popular religion in Burma and Thailand Buddhism in Indonesia Buddhism and popular religion 5. POPULAR ISLAM IN MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA The development of Islam in Southeast Asia Popular Islam in Malaysia Islam in Kelantan Popular Islam in Indonesia 6. CONVERSION AND POPULAR CHRISTIANITY The history of Christian conversion in Southeast Asia The study of conversion The reasons for conversion Conversion in Borneo The Karen of Thailand and Burma The conversion of Refugees The nature of conversion 7. THE MAGIC OF THE MARKET The occult economy in Southeast Asia The occult economy in Vietnam and Thailand Lottery play and the logic of occult economic thought Occult economic thought 8. RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS AS POPULAR RELIGION The nature of religious movements Religious movements in the northern mainland Three recent movements in Malaysia The development of religious movements The success of religious movements 9. POPULAR RELIGION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA BIBLIOGRAPHY
