Based on extensive original research, this book explores the history and current revival of Buddhism on the Indonesian island of Java. Beginning by tracing how Buddhism came to Java from India via southeast Asia, it considers how Buddhism has survived and adapted as Islam and Christianity became dominant. It goes on to report on detailed anthropological research both in a remote highland community, Temanggung, and in Java’s main cities including Jakarta, showing how youth activism and close community cohesion have brought about revival. It includes an examination of the production of Buddhist wayside shrines. Throughout it shows how Buddhism in Java has fused with local traditional practices, local circumstances and trans-national processes to form a unique Javanese Buddhism.
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
Introduction
1. The eternal return. A brief history of Buddhism in Java.
SECTION I – FROM THE SEED OF THE ANCESTORS
2. Surjosari, 2017. The establishment of a “revival in the revival”
3. Enchantment and genealogy in mountain Java
SECTION II – ANCESTORS REVISITED
4. Surjosari, 2019. More Javanese, more Buddhist? Two rites of passage
5. The eventisation of Javaneseness in Temanggung
SECTION III – STATUES
6. Uncanny stone. Statues and religious change in Java
7. Garden shrines and the visual culture of a revival
SECTION IV – OTHER REVIVALS
8. Entrepreneurial dharma in urban Java
9. Aspiration and inspiration. Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia
Conclusions
Cited works
Index
Biography
Roberto Rizzo completed his doctorate at the University of Milan-Bicocca
