Kevala-Bodhi : Buddhist and Jaina History of the Deccan (The BSL
Commemorative Volume)/edited by Aloka Parasher-Sen. Delhi, Bharatiya Kala
Prakashan, 2004, 2 volumes, xxii, 386 p., lxvii plates, ix figs., $143
(set). ISBN
81-8090-030-4.
Kevala-Bodhi : Buddhist and Jaina History of the Deccan (The BSL
Commemorative Volume)/edited by Aloka Parasher-Sen. Delhi, Bharatiya Kala
Prakashan, 2004, 2 volumes, xxii, 386 p., lxvii plates, ix figs., $143
(set). ISBN
81-8090-030-4.
Contents: Vol. I. Preface. 1. Introduction/Aloka Parasher-Sen. I. The past: Profile: 2. Bhattiprolu Sri Lakshmi Hanumantha Rao--a prole/B.S.R.S Anjaneya Sarma. Memories: 3. A memoir/A. Venkateswarlu. 4. BSL--the story of the historian/P.S. Gopala Krishna. 5. Dr. B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao--a humanist historian/M. Somasekhara Rao. 6. Remembering B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao--a tribute/V. Ramakrishna. 7. My teacher/K. Lalitamba. 8. A tribute to late BSL/Y. Balarama Moorthy. II. The present: The background: 9. Note one some aspects of Mauryan contact with the Deccan/Romila Thapar. 10. Cultural map of Andhra Desa/B. Rajendra Prasad. A. Buddhism: 11. Beyond the monastery walls: Buddhism in early historic period society in North-East Andhra Pradesh/Lars Fogelin. 12. A testament of Buddhism/P.R. Ramachandra Rao. 13. Narrative structure and the significance of the snake Jatakas in Buddhist art/Ratan Parimoo. 14. Spread of Buddhism in Northern Karnataka/Jitendra Das. 15. The significance of Abhayamudra Buddha from Nagarjunakonda sculptures/J. Sitaramamma. 16. The traditions seen in the statues of the Buddha's sitting postures in India and Japan: a new perspective/Shu Hikosaka. 17. A few prakrit inscriptions from Amaravati/C.A. Padmanabha Sastry. 18. Patagandigudem Grant of Vishnukundi Vikramendra Varma/N.S. Ramachandra Murthy. 19. Sects of Buddhism in Andhra/V.V. Krishna Sastry. 20. Celebration of Buddhist festivals and ritual practices in Andhra Desa/Krishna Kumari Myneni. 21. Depiction of Gajalakshmi in sculptural art/U. Phyu. 22. Historian and "The Enlightenment" of Buddha/M. Radhakrishna Sarma. 23. Mindfulness and Vipassana meditation/M.V. Ram Kumar Ratnam. 24. The revival of Buddhism in Deccan/A. Venkateswara Reddy.
Vol. II: B. Jainism: 25. An unwritten chapter in the history of early Deccan/T.V.G. Sastri. 26. Advent of Jainism in Andhra/D. Kiran Kranth Choudary and P. Hema. 27. Jainism in Maharashtra: history and development/Viraj Shah. 28. Religious patronage and identity formation--a study of Jaina inscriptions (6 - 12 centuries AD)/A. Aruna. 29. Patronage of the imperial Cholas to Jainism/V. Balambal. 30. Kannada inscriptions of Jaina affiliation from Andhra Pradesh/C.S. Vasudevan. 31. Dimensions of Babanagara inscription/Hampa Nagarajaiah. 32. A new Chola inscription revealing Saiva-Jaina cordial relations/G. Vijaya Venugopal. 33. Syncretism, Tamil forms of worship and Jaina influence/M.N. Rajesh. 34. Sakti-cult in Jainism with special reference to Deccan/G. Jawaharlal. 35. A Kunthunatha Jinalaya at Hampi/K.M. Suresh. 36. Contribution of Jainas to medicine in ancient Deccan/P. Hymavathi. 37. Somadevasuri's Nitivakyamritam--a Jaina Sanskrit classic of the tenth century A.D./G.S. Dikshit. 38. Jaina themes in Deccan miniature painting/Jagdish Mittal. III. The Future: Debate and Discussion: 39. India's cultural heritage and public education/K. Paddayya. 40. More evidence on ancient Indian mathematics and astronomy/I.K. Sarma. Epilogue: 41. Recent Buddhist and Jaina discoveries from Deccan/B. Subrahmanyam and E. Siva Nagi Reddy. Bibliography. Illustrations.
"Kevala-Bodhi : Buddhist and Jaina History of the Deccan is a collection of papers with a special focus on two religions that left an inedible mark on the history of Deccan and, in turn, marked a visible change in the way both these religions developed over the early historic and early medieval times. Though each of these has been dealt with separately in monographs and research papers in the past, this is the first time that these religions have been discussed together in terms of the trajectory of their spread to and entrenchment in the Deccan. The path chosen by each in this regard was undoubtedly different and this is precisely what makes their discussion together valuable and interesting.
"This spatial and chronological focus of the papers in this volume is wide. In terms of region, it also includes discussion on areas contiguous to the Deccan so as to bring in a comparative dimension. We see elements of inter-regional contact and dissemination of ideas that was dynamic rather than closeted in compartments of space and time. The contributions have further not been limited by a rigid chronological parameter. There are papers that address issues of modern and near contemporary times, while others that begin with the earliest contact of these religions in the archaeological context and focus on its ancient and medieval history. Almost all themes around the study of the Buddhist and Jaina history of the Deccan have been covered. These revolve around archaeology, art, architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, epigraphy, religious thought, ritual, medicine, philosophy and social and economic history.
"Being a commemorative volume, it begins with a visual and narrative journey that marked the chief events of Professor B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao's life and this is designated as Part I--The Past of the book. Part II is the essential core of this volume and is designated as The Present. Here, an introduction and background prefix papers on Buddhism (Section A) and Jainism (Section B). Part III--The Future ends with an epilogue and is primarily meant to generate Debate and Discussion on researching the history of religions and related issues. For any viable attempt at historical reconstruction of religion today these issues are relevant and have been frequently raised in recent years.
"Scholars interested in the Buddhist and Jaina history of the Deccan will find this volume of tremendous value and interest in terms of the vast variety of themes and period of study included. There is undoubtedly a special focus on Andhra Pradesh, an area of research interest dear to BSL throughout his life. This book is a small effort in not only remembering him but also in generating fresh interest that shall further enhance our understanding on the study of two of the most dynamic religious traditions that had spotted the landscape of the Deccan in the past." (jacket)