Held in Heidelberg from September 29 to October 2, 2008, the international conference “Ritual Dynamics and the Science of Ritual,” organized by the collaborative research center SFB 619 “Ritual Dynamics,” gathered leading experts in ritual studies and over 600 participants to reassess traditional subjects in light of recent research. The outcomes, presented in five volumes, are groundbreaking for future transcultural, interdisciplinary, and multi-methodical research on rituals. The conference showcased a wide range of disciplines and methods, covering diverse topics across cultural geographies and spanning from antiquity to the present. The proceedings illustrate the broad definition of rituals and explore the conditions, modes, and functions of ritual actions in various cultures. A key conclusion is that no single model for rituals exists; instead, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for advancing research. This includes the development and application of innovative research methods. The five volumes include: Volume I: Grammars and Morphologies of Ritual Practices in Asia; Volume II: Body, Performance, Agency, and Experience; Volume III: State, Power, and Violence; Volume IV: Reflexivity, Media, and Visuality; and Volume V: Transfer and Spaces. A set price for all five volumes is offered (978-3-447-06206-0).
Axel Michaels Libros






Exploring the diverse landscape of Hinduism, the author examines its shared traditions, beliefs, and rituals through the concept of "identificatory habitus." This cohesive force unites the religion's myriad gods, practices, and languages while reinforcing its resilience against external influences. By focusing on commonalities rather than differences, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of Hindu identity and provides a framework for understanding its social and religious coherence amidst vast internal plurality.
Rosy's Lost Balloon
- 32 páginas
- 2 horas de lectura
Rosy is happily playing with her beautiful, new, star balloon, when the wind snatches it away and carries it off. The little bear runs as fast as she can, but will she be able to get her precious balloon back? Find out what happens in this moving picture books all about loss and recovery.
This comprehensive history of Nepal spans pre-historic times and the Licchavi Period to more recent developments, such as the Maoist insurgency and the rise of the republic. In addition to religious history and histories of selected regions (Mustang, Sherpa, Tarai, and others), it covers the nation's relations with its powerful neighbors and its cultural aspects, especially its rich history of arts, architecture, and crafts.
Wild goddesses in India and Nepal
- 574 páginas
- 21 horas de lectura
She kills and destroys. She causes illness and disaster. The wild goddess evokes fear and terror. People worship her with blood-sacrifices and alcohol in order to appease her rage, but also in order to participate in her power for she is at once a force of destruction and a force of regeneration, of life, and of sexuality. Her creative violence reflects the ambivalent power of nature. The idea of frightening goddesses is preserved in regionally different forms throughout South Asia. The Institute for the Science of Religions, University of Berne, and the Museum of Anthropology of the University of Zurich, coordinated a symposium on wild goddesses in India and Nepal. The papers and reports on ongoing research presented at this symposium are published in this volume.
Contributed articles by a group of students from the Institute for the Comparative Study of Religions of the University of Bern, Switzerland, after a trip to Nepal in 1994
Mehr zum Buch Axel Michaels' umfassende Einführung in den Hinduismus gilt inzwischen als Standardwerk. Das Buch macht mit der Geschichte des Hinduismus und seinen klassischen Texten vertraut, beschreibt aber auch anschaulich die alltägliche Religiosität. Es erläutert die verschiedenen Riten und Feste, die Bedeutung der unzähligen Götter, das Kastensystem und nicht zuletzt die hinduistischen Vorstellungen von Raum und Zeit, Tod, Wiedergeburt und Erlösung. (Quelle: www.chbeck.de).
Benares
- 498 páginas
- 18 horas de lectura
The book gives a comprehensive view of the complex world of india's sacred place par excellence, also known as Barnes.
