03015nam 2200481 a 450 991045879240332120210107030613.01-282-94166-697866129416650-19-979231-3(CKB)2670000000060842(StDuBDS)AH24088141(MiAaPQ)EBC1678702(EXLCZ)99267000000006084220100902d2011 fy| 0engur|||||||||||Virtual Orientalism[electronic resource] Asian religions and American popular culture /by Jane IwamuraNew York ;Oxford Oxford University Press20111 online resource (240 p.) 0-19-973861-0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; INTRODUCTION; ZEN'S PERSONALITY - D.T. SUZUKI; HYPERREAL SAMADHI - MAHARISHI MAHESH YOGI; THE MONK GOES HOLLYWOOD - KUNG FU; CONCLUSION - SPIRITUAL ROMANCE TODAY; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEXJane Iwamura examines contemporary fascination with Eastern spirituality and provides a cultural history of the representation of Asian religions in American mass media. At the heart of her study is the Oriental Monk, a non-sexual, solitary, conventionalized icon who generously and purposefully shares his wisdom with the West.Saffron-robed monks and long-haired gurus have become familiar characters on the American pop culture scene. Jane Iwamura examines the contemporary fascination with Eastern spirituality and provides a cultural history of the representation of Asian religions in American mass media. Initial engagements with Asian spiritual heritages were mediated by monks, gurus, bhikkhus, sages, sifus, healers, and masters from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and religious traditions. Virtual Orientalism shows the evolution of these interactions, from direct engagements with specific individuals, to mediated relations with a conventionalized icon. Visually and psychically compelling, the Oriental Monk becomes for Americans a ''figure of translation'' - a convenient symbol for alternative spiritualities and modes of being. Through the figure of the non-sexual, solitary Monk, who generously and purposefully shares his wisdom with the West, Asian religiosity is made manageable - psychologically, socially, and politically - for American popular culture.OrientalismUnited StatesPopular cultureUnited StatesHistory20th centuryPopular cultureReligious aspectsReligioneflchUnited StatesReligionElectronic books.lcshOrientalismPopular cultureHistoryPopular cultureReligious aspects.Religion.200.950973Iwamura Jane Naomi911156StDuBDSStDuBDSUkPrAHLSBOOK9910458792403321Virtual Orientalism2279570UNINA