The Buddhist Viß∫u: Religious Transformation, Politics, and Culture By John Clifford Holt: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

At this review’s outset, it should be made clear what this book covers, as the title alone may be somewhat misleading. What this book is not about is how Visnu was conceived of and worshipped by Buddhists in India, or in any other of the many lands of South and Southeast Asia where Hindus and Buddhists have interacted—with one exception. What this book is is a deep exploration of how Visnu has been understood by the Sinhala Buddhists of Sri Lanka, as well as how religious practice related to this high god in their pantheon has been conducted within their culture, the culture of the country’s majority population. It is an historical study that examines
how beliefs about and rituals pertaining to Viß∫u have varied, often in response to changing conditions, particularly political ones.