The Sociology of Early Buddhism

Abstract

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Buddhism

“…This made it particularly attractive to people who were entrepreneurial and benefitted materially and spiritually from patronage practices (despite the apparent contradictions related to the recommended disengagement from worldly matters). In fact, historians of Buddhism generally link the emergence of Buddhism and other salvific religions addressing liberation from human suffering during the same period to the rise of urban centres and trade networks (Bailey & Mabbett 2003). These provided both the range of human experiences and the material support that enabled the monastic community to thrive (see Schopen 2004).…”

3. How Many Monks?

“…(3) as a folk religion. 10 All three are plausible definitions and to a certain extent considered together, encompass the concept of Buddhism as a whole. However, for the purpose of this paper I shall focus more on analysing and attempting to reconstruct certain aspects of the second version, that is, Buddhism and its place in the societies it finds itself within.…”