Desire, Divine and Demonic : : Balinese Mysticism in the Paintings of I Ketut Budiana and I Gusti Nyoman Mirdiana / / Michele Stephen.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter UHP eBook Package 2000-2013
• VerfasserIn: Stephen, Michele,
• Place / Publishing House: Honolulu : : University of Hawaii Press, , [2005]; ©2005
• Year of Publication: 2005
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (190 p.)

This original and innovative book challenges many of our long-held assumptions about traditional Balinese religion. Drawing on data from visual art, mythology, esoteric texts, and public rituals, Michele Stephen identifies a core of important mystical themes at the heart of Balinese religion and demonstrates the striking parallels between these and Indian Tantric thought. Desire, Divine and Demonic begins with an introduction to the problems of defining mysticism in Bali, a discussion of prevailing scholarly views concerning the nature of Balinese religion, and a brief description of the link between art and religion in Balinese culture. What follows is an intriguing analysis of two series of paintings by contemporary Balinese artists I Ketut Budiana and I Gusti Nyoman Mirdiana, who specialize in mystical and mythological scenes.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- CHAPTER 1. Defining Balinese Mysticism A Problematic Enterprise -- CHAPTER 2. Fire, Destruction, and the Power of the Mother: The Paintings of I Ketut Budiana -- CHAPTER 3 . Mythic Transformations of Desire: The Paintings of I Gusti Nyoman Mirdiana -- CHAPTER 4. The Influence of Tantric Thought -- CHAPTER 5. Balinese Ritual in a Dynamic Universe -- CHAPTER 6. Visualizing Pure Realms -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- About the Author