Women's Renunciation in South Asia Nuns, Yoginis, Saints, and Singers [Hardcover]

This volume brings together compelling new research on South Asian women who have renounced worldly life for spiritual pursuits. Documenting contemporary women's experiences with intimate ethnographic narratives, this book offers feminist insights into Jain, Buddhist, Hindu and Baul ascetic traditions.Introduction: Grounding Renunciation in the Lives of Real Women PART I: PORTRAITS OF WOMEN ON THEIR OWN Do Saints Need Sleep? Baiji's Renunciation as Service Living Practical Dharma: A Tribute to Chomo Khandru and the Bonpo Women of Lubra Village, Mustang, Nepal The True River Ganges: Tara's Begging Practices Staying in Place: The Social Actions of Radha Giri PART II: LANDSCAPES OF CONTEMPORARY TRADITIONS Passionate Renouncers: Hindu Nationalist Renouncers and the Politics of Hindutv Renunciation and Reciprocity: How Nuns and Monks Rely on Their Kin Renouncing Expectations: Single Baul Women Renouncers and the Value of Being a Wife These Hands are Not for Henna Afterword: Breaking Away

'This book provides a series of fascinating, lively ethnographic studies of South Asian women who reject the normative roles of wife and mother and then sometimes conform to them after all. Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Muslim, living in north India, Nepal and Bangladesh, these women attempt to transcend their roles, their sexuality, or even their bodily existence. Their very different, very individual lives represent a much more varied array of possibilities for South Asian women than almost anyone has been aware of. The book will be a wonderful resource for courses on South Asian culture, gender studies, and religious studies, as well as for anyone who simply wants to think about the many different ways in which human beings can live.' Anne Feldhaus, Foundation Professor of Religious Studies, Arizona State University

'What is wonderful about this book is the vividness and intimacy of the ethnographic portraits of female renouncers strikingly diverse Hindu, BuddhilÃ/