[Tlc] T-new book

[justinm at ucr.edu]

It is my pleasure to announce the appearance of the following  
contribution to the study of Jatakas in general and in the
specific  
context of Wat Si Chum in Sukhothai.

"Past Lives of the Buddha: Wat Si Chum - Art, Architecture and  
Inscriptions"

Edited by Peter Skilling with contributions by:
Pattaratorn Chirapravati
Pierre Pichard
Prapod Assavavirulhakarn
Santi Pakedeekham
Peter Skilling.


Bangkok: River Books, 2008
296 pages, 390 colour images, 30 plans and maps
ISBN 978-974-9863-45-9

 http://www.riverbooksbk.com

"Wat Si Chum is unique among Sukhothai temples. Inside, lining the
ceiling of a dark and narrow staircase leading to the open
roof, are  
86 inscribed stone reliefs depicting jatakas, former lives of
Gotama  
Buddha. Their unique character and arrangement have puzzled
generations
of scholars. "Past Lives of the Buddha" presents the latest
evidence
and proposes new interpretations. The book offers the  first-ever
English translation of the inscriptions, photographs of the
reliefs
supplements by 19th century jataka paintings from Wat Khrua  Wan,
Bangkok, essays on all aspects of the temple, as well as a 
discussion
of the significance of jatakas in international Buddhist 
literature,
art and ideology."


Peter Skilling

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu