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"Beautifully written and erudite, this book fills a need in the growing literature about goddesses in Buddhism. The goddesses are meticulously researched and brilliantly analyzed. Destined to become a classic in the field, Buddhist Goddesses of India leaves no doubt that goddesses have been central, not peripheral, to Buddhism, even from the earliest traceable beginnings of the tradition."
--Susan L. Huntington, author of The Art of Ancient India"A jewel. A very significant contribution to the field."
--Adalbert J. Gail, Freie Universität Berlin"Miranda Shaw comprehensively demonstrates the importance of the feminine divine in Buddhism. She draws together art, scripture, myth, and ritual to bring these goddesses and female Buddhas alive, producing a definitive resource for scholars of Buddhism and of women's spirituality. With her eloquent translations and scrupulous analyses, Shaw has given us a treasure of religious insight into the sacred feminine."
--Patricia Monaghan, Depaul University, author of Goddess Path"This work is a masterpiece. Shaw's fascinating study deepens our
understanding of the divine feminine in South Asia. Her luminous
writing carries the reader through an amazing terrain that is rich with
historical discoveries and vivid portraits of a remarkable female
pantheon."
--Graham M. Schweig, author of Dance of Divine Love: India's Classic Sacred Love Story and Bhagavad Gita: The Beloved Lord's Secret Love Song
About the author
Miranda Shaw is associate professor of religious studies at the University of Richmond. She is the author of
Passionate Enlightenment: Women in Tantric Buddhism (Princeton).
Summary
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
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"Scholars of Buddhism who are unaware of the importance and pervasiveness of Buddhist 'goddess' traditions would be well advised to read it. It will also be of interest to graduate students, in part because of its broad coverage and helpful references."---David B. Gray, Journal of the American Academy of Religion
