Burman
Individual Documents
Description:
"The cult of the 'Thirty-Seven Lords', known in Burma as the thirty-seven 'naq' is
commonly viewed as being a remnant of practices prevalent before Buddhicization, that is
to say, as superstitions having their origins in the obscure period predating the
establishment of Burmese civilization. This article will argue against this assumption and
will assert that this cult cannot be properly understood if it is not considered as a part of
the Burmese religious system still evolving with Buddhist society. The socio-religious
structure of the 'naq' cult shows that it is neither a pre-Buddhist remnant, nor is it
borrowed from India. Close analysis of the actual cult, of its legends of foundation, and of
the historical evidence, clearly shows that it is a construct of Burmese Buddhist kings or,
in other words, a produce of the localization of Buddhism in Burma..."
Benedicte Brac de la Perriere
Source/publisher:
Newsletter, Issue 25, International Institute for Asian Studies (Leiden)
Date of publication:
2001-09-30
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
[field_licence]
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Nats, Social and Cultural History, Burman
Language:
English
Local URL:
more