Sounding the center
history and aesthetics in Thai Buddhist performance
Deborah Anne Wong
348 pages | ~10 hrs
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Learn MoreSounding the center
history and aesthetics in Thai Buddhist performance
By Deborah Anne Wong
In the heart of Bangkok, where ancient Buddhist traditions meet the refined elegance of classical performance, lies a profound spiritual practice that connects earthly artistry with sacred wisdom. Deborah Anne Wong takes readers deep into the ritual world of Thai classical music and dance, revealing how these art forms serve as bridges between the human and divine realms.
Through meticulous fieldwork and respectful observation, Wong unveils the intricate ceremony that honors the teachers of these sacred arts. This ritual represents far more than artistic tradition—it embodies a complex web of relationships linking royal heritage, spiritual knowledge, and transformative performance. The author guides readers through every aspect of this profound practice, from the specific foods and ceremonial objects that carry symbolic meaning to the voices of the practitioners themselves as they share their understanding of this sacred work.
What emerges is a rich portrait of how spiritual reverence flows through creative expression in Buddhist Thailand. Wong demonstrates how performers and teachers maintain living connections to ancient wisdom through their dedication to these classical forms. For readers seeking to understand how artistic practice can become a pathway to deeper spiritual awareness, this exploration offers valuable insights into the intersection of devotion, knowledge, and creative expression within a thriving Buddhist culture.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Music, religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Buddhist music
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Music
- ✓ Explore Music
- ✓ Explore Dance, religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Buddhist dance
- ✓ Explore Dance
- ✓ Explore Social life and customs
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2001
- Publisher
- University of Chicago Press
- ISBN-10
- 0226905853
- Pages
- 348
- Language
- EN
