Splendour in Wood: The Buddhist Monasteries of Burma
Fraser-Lu, Sylvia
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PRODUCT DETAILS
Book ID : 30473
ISBN-10 : 0-8348-0493-X / 083480493X
ISBN-13 : 978-0-8348-0493-7 / 9780834804937
Place
of Publication :
Thailand
Year
of Publication :
2001
Edition :
Language : English
344p., Maps, App., Full of Cols. Illus., Gloss., Bib., Index, 29 cm.
CONTENTS
CONTENTS:- Dedication; Preface; Acknowledgements; Poem; Part I: Buddhism and Monasteries in Burmese life; 1. Buddhism and the development of Monasteries in Burma; 2. Monks and Monasteries in Burmese society; 3. Building a Monastery; 4. Monastic Establishments of the Pre-colonial Era; 5. The Colonial and Post-Colonial Era;
Part II: Individual Monasteries; 6. Monasteries of Upper Burma; 7. Monasteries of Central Burma and the Shan States; 8. Monasteries of Lower Burma.
DESCRIPTION
Burmese wooden monasteries and related pavilions have not received the scholarly attention that they deserve. This is unfortunate, given the especially ephemeral nature of wood in a damp tropical climate, with voracious insect life and the ever-present risk of floods, fire and earthquakes. Many extant structures are in a very dilapidated condition; the original donors have moved away, or their descendents no longer have adequate financial resources to maintain a forebear's work. This book introduces the reader to the beauty and genius of Burmese craftsmanship as expressed in the construction and embellishment of Buddhism wooden monasteries. The five chapter of Part I review the development of Buddhism and monasteries in Burma, the place of monks and monasteries in society, and the process in building a monastery. Detailed accounts of monastic establishments in the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras are also presented. In the three chapters of Part II are descriptions of nearly ninety different edifices visited by the author in the course of her research, in Upper and Lower Burma, and Central Burma and the Shan states. For posterity, the details of many wooden monasteries are recorded-not only the 'old' and the 'beautiful', but also others with architectural features of note. The book is copiously illustrated with sketches of floor plans and architectural details of many monasteries, and photographs of significant features.
