Buddhist goddesses of India

by Miranda Eberle Shaw

Hardcover, 2006

Publication

Imprint: Princeton, New Jersey and Woodstock, Oxfordshire : Princeton University Press, c2006. Responsibility: Miranda Shaw. OCLC Number: 62342823. Physical: Text : 1 volume : xi, 571 pages, 16 pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm. Features: Includes bibliography, glossary, index, notes.

Call number

Commentary / Shaw

Barcode

BK-08017

ISBN

9780691127583

Collections

Your library, Adult Materials, Religious Studies

CSS Library Notes

Description: "The Indian Buddhist world abounds with goddesses--voluptuous tree spirits, maternal nurturers, potent healers and protectors, transcendent wisdom figures, cosmic mothers of liberation, and dancing female Buddhas. Despite their importance in Buddhist thought and practice, these female deities have received relatively little scholarly attention, and no comprehensive study of the female pantheon has been available. -- from jacket

Table of Contents: Introduction --
pt. 1. Ascent of the sacred female in early Buddhism --
1. Pṛthivī : Mother Earth --
2. Māyādevī : the Buddha's wondrous mother and her sacred grove --
3. Yakṣiṇīs : voluptuous, magical nature spirits --
4. Śrī Lakṣmī : glorious good fortune --
5. Hārītī : goddess of motherly love --
6. Female Buddhas : the case of Gotamī pt. 2. Mahayana mothers of liberation --
7. Goddesses in the Flower Ornament Scripture --
8. Prajñāpāramitā : luminous mother of perfect wisdom --
9. Parṇaśavarī : healing goddess clothed in leaves --
10. Mārīcī : lady of sunrise splendor --
11. Jāṅgulī : the Buddhist snake goddess --
12. Sarasvatī : divine muse --
13. Vasudhārā : Lady Bountiful --
14. Cundā : saving grace --
15. Sitātapatrā : invincible goddess with a thousand heads and hands --
16. Uṣṇīṣavijayā : bestower of long life and immortality --
17. Tārā : Mahayana Buddha, universal savior. pt. 3. Tantric female Buddhas --
18. Vajrayoginī : her dance is total freedom --
19. Nairātmyā : her body is the sky --
20. Chinnamuṇḍā : severed-headed goddess --
21. Siṃhamukhā : lion-faced female Buddha --
22. Kurukullā : red enchantress with flowered bow --
Epilogue --

FY2018 /

Physical description

xi, 571 p.; 25 cm

Description

The Indian Buddhist world abounds with goddesses--graceful nature divinities, maternal nurturers, potent healers, mighty protectors, transcendent wisdom figures, cosmic mothers of liberation, and dancing female Buddhas. Despite their importance in Buddhist thought and practice, female deities have received relatively little scholarly attention, and no comprehensive study of the female pantheon has been available. Buddhist Goddesses of India chronicles the histories, legends, and artistic portrayals of nineteen goddesses and several related human figures and texts. Beautifully illustrated and drawing on a sweeping range of material, from devotional poetry and meditation manuals to rituals and artistic images, Shaw reveals the character, powers, and practice traditions of the female divinities in this definitive and essential guide.… (more)