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This volume is the first in-depth study of a recently discovered Sanskrit dharani spell text from around the 5th century CE surviving in two palm-leaf and three paper manuscript compendia from Nepal. This rare Buddhist scripture focuses on the ritual practice of thaumaturgic weather control for successful agriculture through overpowering mythical Nagas. Traditionally, these serpentine beings are held responsible for the amount of rainfall. The six chapters of the Vajratundasamayakalparaja present the vidyadhara spell-master as a ritualist who uses mandalas, mudras and other techniques to gain mastery over the Nagas and thus control the rains. By subjugating the Nagas, favourable weather and good crops are guaranteed. This links this incantation tradition to economic power and the securing of worldly support for the Buddhist community.

Nepal --- Indology --- Incantation --- Sanskrit

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This book celebrates in words and images the traditional metal crafts practised for over a thousand years by the creators of religious Buddhist statues in Nepal. The skills of these artisans are nurtured with deep respect for tradition, regarding religion, iconography and technology. Wax modellers, mould makers, casters, fire-gilders and chasers are among the specialists of the Newar ethnic group, whose work is characterised to this day by a melding of age-old technology, great skill, religious observance and contemplation. There are numerous books and exhibition catalogues dedicated to Buddhist art and iconography but little was available about the craft of the artists who turn the religious imagery into metal casts. This book fills this gap, with a thoroughly documented and historical account of the development of this “archaic” technology. The well-informed text and comprehensive photographic coverage constitute the only up-to-date account and full documentation of an art that is 1300 years old but dying out: the “ritual” production of Buddhist statues in the lost wax casting technique.The author, Dr. Alex Furger, is an archaeologist who has studied ancient metallurgy and metalworking techniques over the past four decades. He spent twenty-five years at the head of the Roman site of Augusta Raurica and lives in Basel (Switzerland). He is the author of over 130 articles in scientific journals and twelve books in the field of culture history. The fieldwork for this book led him repeatedly to Nepal, where he met and interviewed dozens of craftsmen in their workshops.This book is addressed to readers interested in culture history, travellers to Asia, collectors of statues of Buddha, (avocational) metalworkers, historians of technology, Buddhists, ethnologists, archaeologists, art historians, scholars of Asia and to libraries and museums.

metal, Buddha, metal casters, Nepal, mould, wax, religion, iconography, archaeology, artisans, statues, fire-gilders, gilded, Newar

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Assuming women’s empowerment would accelerate the pace of social change in rural Nepal, the World Bank urged the Nepali government to undertake a “Gender Activities Project” within an ongoing long-term water-engineering scheme. The author, an anthropologist specializing in bureaucratic organizations and gender studies, was hired to monitor the project. Analyzing her own experience as a “development expert,” she demonstrates how the professed goal of “women’s empowerment” is a pretext for promoting the interests of local elites. She demonstrates how a project intended to benefit women fails to provide them with any of the promised resources.

Anthropology --- Gender --- Studies --- Women --- Development studies --- Anthropology --- Asia --- Nepal --- World --- Bank --- Economics

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Par son aspect sanglant, son déploiement exubérant de rituels et son usage politique, Dasaῖ, la fête nationale du Népal, est une mise en scène particulièrement frappante du pouvoir. Quand débute Dasaῖ, le monde est vide, le temps est arrêté. A l'issue des dix jours de cérémonies, toute la société renaît autour du roi, de son chapelain et de la Déesse. Des danses, des chants, des festins et des beuveries célèbrent alors ce renouveau. Ce recueil de textes offre une approche contextuelle et comparée des variantes de ce culte officiel qui est seule à même d'en dévoiler le sens général. Chaque chapitre forme un tout et enrichit la connaissance historique et sociale du Népal. Entre sources indiennes et histoire himalayenne, la portée politique du rituel a engendré le développement de formes locales spécifiques. Dasaῖ a participé au processus d'unification des royaumes himalayens qui constituèrent l'État-nation népalais. La fête célèbre la Déesse et son triomphe sur les forces démoniaques. Ce drame cosmique sert de trame aux représentations de la souveraineté. La reconsécration du roi qui clôt chaque année la cérémonie révèle une conception contractuelle de l'autorité royale. Les conflits latents de la société hindoue, entre classe royale et sacerdotale, entre le roi des rois et ses vassaux, s'y expriment également. Parler d'histoire politique au travers d'un rituel, c'est aussi, dans le cas du Népal, éclairer les relations qu'entretiennent les minorités – religieuses ou tribales – avec le pouvoir central, s'appropriant ses symboles, s'y soumettant ou s'y opposant.

Durgä --- divin --- hindouisme --- Dargä-püjä --- fête (ethnologie) --- cérémonie religieuse --- culte --- rite --- Népal --- histoire --- pouvoir --- fête nationale

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Masonry is a construction material that has been used throughout the years as a structural or non-structural component in buildings. Masonry can be described as a composite material made up of different units and diverse types of arrangements, with or without mortar, that is used in many ancient public buildings, as well as with the latest technologies being applied in construction. Research in multiple relevant fields, as well as crossing structural with non-structural needs, is crucial for understanding the qualities of existent buildings and to develop new products and construction technologies. This book addresses and promotes the discussion related to the different topics addressing the use of masonry in the construction sciences and in practice, including theory and research, numerical approaches and technical applications in new works, and repair actions and interventions in the built environment, connecting theory and application across topics from academia to industry.

wall --- hysteresis --- dynamic --- no-fines lightweight concrete --- artificial neural network --- AEM --- load-bearing masonry walls --- seismic rehabilitation --- masonry characterization --- mechanical properties --- in situ test campaign --- granite masonry --- flat-jack testing --- old urban center --- regional constructive cultures --- unreinforced load-bearing masonry --- strengthening intervention --- non-linear analysis --- Nepal earthquake --- high-rise reinforced concrete structure --- masonry infill walls --- ambient vibration test --- survey damage assessment --- numerical modelling --- stone masonry --- weak mortar --- foundation settlement --- seismic actions --- observed performance --- linear and non-linear numerical tools --- stone masonry wallets --- shear-sliding tests --- masonry --- infilled frames --- capacity curve --- bilinear approximation --- neural networks --- database --- RC buildings --- masonry infills and partitions --- damage analysis --- repair costs due to infills --- post-earthquake surveys --- masonry shell --- cracks in shells --- static analysis --- strengthening --- seismic assessment --- Greco-Roman construction --- masonry building --- seismic retrofitting --- heritage construction --- structural restoration --- n/a