From the “Good Tradition” to Religion on Some Basic Aspects of Religious Conversion in Early Medieval Tibet and the Comparative Central Eurasian Context
Guntram Hazod
What Western academic literature described as ethnic or cultural Tibet in fact implies something composite and processually constructed: then often appears a typical example for explanations of collective identity (and ethnicity). Such approaches increasingly are applied present-day anthropology historical studies, highlighting the conditions politically, socially ideationally constructed features identity. In Tibet, identity-building was strongly related to spread Buddhism. The new religion introduced time Tibetan Empire (seventh ninth century), but it only its later (from eleventh century) that led effective, all-embracing establishment Buddhism Highlands. It interlinked with regionally different forms political manifestations—the founding Buddhist kingdoms at periphery emergence monastic hegemonies central regions. These developments correlated processes conversion, which narrative model is an act conquest, taming civilizing physical universe theory actually never ends. Apart from considering current anthropological discussions phenomenon religious this paper will include comparative view history Christianization early medieval Europe (especially Europe—the Frankish kingdom barbarian zones North Rhine Danube, fifth tenth century). Inter alia also raises questions about initial social forces interests promoting religion's adoption, what extent formal similarities case ascertainable Europe.
History and Anthropology