Temple Administration Research Articles

Kabiraj Laxman Mishra: A pioneer of Ayurveda and social welfare in Odisha

Abstract Kabiraj Laxman Mishra, a prominent figure in the field of Ayurveda in Odisha, India, dedicated his life to serving patients from low socio-economic backgrounds throughout the region. Born in January 1900 into a Brahmin family, he received his foundational education at Satyabadi Vana Vidyalaya, renowned for its emphasis on moral values and formal learning. He subsequently graduated from Ravenshaw College in Cuttack and began his career in the police department during British rule in Odisha. However, his profound passion for Ayurveda and his fascination with the healing properties of herbs used by tribal communities inspired him to explore and promote traditional herbal medicine for the benefit of ordinary individuals. After retiring from government service, Mishra authored several books in the Odia language addressing various ailments and their Ayurvedic remedies. He established his pharmacy to prepare medicines based on his extensive experience and tested herbal combinations. His legacy continues through his son, the late Kabiraj Ganesh Mishra, and his wife, Dr. Smt. Sailabala Devi, who currently provides treatment at their residence in Puri. In addition to his contributions to Ayurveda, Kabiraj Laxman Mishra played a significant administrative role within the Temple Administration of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri. He served as the President of the Governing Body Council of Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and as Chairperson of the Governing Body Council of Samanta Chandra Sekhar College of Puri. In recognition of his impactful work, he was awarded the title of Ayurveda Siromani in 1987 by the Nikhila Utkala Ayurveda Baidya Sammilani. A committed social worker, Mishra also organized free medical camps to provide essential healthcare services to individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Politics, Religion and Temple Governance: A Study on the Administration of Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple in Kerala

Guruvayur Temple is one of the most well-known religious destinations in Kerala and the country. Due to its stunning architecture and extensive history, the temple draws visitors from all over the world. This temple, located in the Thrissur district in northern Kerala, is also regarded as the Dwarka of the south. With its diverse social and religious functions, cultural norms, and symbolic arrangements, Guruvayur is the hub of an extensive cultural history that includes secular and sacred establishments. Pilgrims from all over the country and overseas have come to commemorate the diversity of traditions that have defined Kerala’s religion and culture. The temple forbids the entry of non-Hindus which creates controversies occasionally in the political and religious arena. The Government of Kerala took over the administration of the temple through an ordinance that became an Act in 1971. Several Enquiry Commissions on Temple Administration made radical ideas, but the government did not execute any of them. The study discusses the history and legend of the temple as well as problems concerning the temple administration. The administration of Temple draws the interest of political scientists, administrators, and the media because of its politicisation, corruption, inefficiency, and governmental control.

Determinants of visitors' festival satisfaction and subjective well-being: tracing the roles of place attachment and satisfaction

PurposeIndia has a marvelous distinction of hosting religious and cultural extravaganzas on an enormous scale, keeping in with its rich lineage and civilizational assortment. The philosophical threads of such festivals are eventually subjective well-being and spiritual awakening. In this context, the authors examine how the visitors' festival motivation culminates in life satisfaction and subjective well-being.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a theory-driven deductive approach to test the construed relationships. The data were collected from the sites of religious fiesta when the participants were immersed in their cultural fervor. The study uses structural equation modeling to examine the hypothesized model.FindingsThe study finds that place attachment and life satisfaction empirically mediate the relationship between festival motivation and subjective well-being. However, the relationship between place attachment and subjective well-being is not empirically strong when life satisfaction mediates their relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on a convenience sample and is limited to the visitors of local religious festivals. Future research must verify the suitability of the model in other types of festivals of other religions and different locations. Also, this research deliberates on the relationship between only four variables. Future researchers could discuss other variables such as authenticity, emotional solidarity, festival images, festival values, religious faith, etc. to develop a more robust model to explain the relationship between festival motivation and subjective well-being.Practical implicationsIn India regardless of social strata, people are religiously conscious and inclined toward attending publicly celebrated religious festivals. The scale of these festivals is significant and given the scenario, the local Government has to join hands with the temple administration, local people and visitors to reap the full benefits of the festival. These temple festivals not only foster coordination and involvement among various stakeholders, but also invoke the devotion of the people to jointly organize the celebrations.Social implicationsAs some of the religious festivals go beyond caste, creed and nationality, the celebrations should evolve as multi-cultural mass events uniting the societal cohesiveness, spirit and national culture. The variables chosen and results found in this study will surely support publicizing the significance of religious festivals in the region and provide an idea to the organizers and supporters to develop new strategies to promote similar events.Originality/valueThe results claim several implications for theory and practice. Theoretically, the study contributes to the literature on religious tourism and event management. Practically, the study discussions indicate the importance of disseminating the significance of religious festivals as a platform for local tourist attractions to generate social, cultural and economic benefits.

Ezekiel's Visionary Temple in Babylonian Context by Tova Ganzel

Reviewed by: Ezekiel's Visionary Temple in Babylonian Context by Tova Ganzel Hei-Yin Yip tova ganzel, Ezekiel's Visionary Temple in Babylonian Context (BZAW 539; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2021). Pp. viii + 183. $99.99. This well-researched and engagingly written monograph, which builds on an essay of Ganzel and Shalom E. Holtz, "Ezekiel's Temple in Babylonian Context" (VT 64 [2014] 211–66) focuses on the contextualization of the Book of Ezekiel's Temple Vision in the Babylonian milieu. Most scholars aver that Ezekiel's activity took place mainly in Babylonia; the book may have originated in Babylonia. In view of the majority opinion, G. argues that the final form of Ezekiel 40–48, which consists of many divergences from the details of pentateuchal law, should be examined in light of the exiles' surroundings in order to assess Ezekiel's peculiarity. A major contribution this book makes to scholarship is to identify systematically the unique features of the temple's design that lack biblical parallels, and to discuss possible connections between these features, namely, the gates, walls, and courtyards, and the corresponding features of the Babylonian temples. The study also pays due attention to the Neo-Babylonian Akītu festival and its influence on the Temple Vision. In chap. 2, G. first explores the extent of the Judean exiles' involvement in, and their knowledge of, the temples in the world around them. Through a review of scholarship on cuneiform documents, G. concludes that the community of exiles was very involved in its surroundings. To her, information collected from archives of temple administration, ritual texts, descriptions of the temples in topographical texts, and archaeological data lays "the groundwork for a comparison between the Temple Vision and the Babylonian temples" (p. 23). In chap. 3, G. examines the languages with which the Judean exiles in Babylonia were familiar and shows that the extent of the Aramaic and Akkadian influence is evident in Ezekiel 40–48 in three different spheres: "first, unique lexemes used to express the temple's plan; second, the names used to describe the temple; and third, the name given to the city [in which the temple will be located]" (p. 36). Based on the linguistic influences within Ezekiel's Temple Vision, the ensuing three chapters (chap. 4–6) further examine the influence of the Neo-Babylonian milieu on the temple's design, the hierarchy of access within the temples, and the temple rituals described in Ezekiel 40–48. [End Page 333] In chap. 4, G. argues that the design of Ezekiel's temple departs in significant ways from that of Solomon's temple and that of the archaeological remains unearthed in Israel; however, Ezekiel's temple and the Babylonian temples share a similar arrangement of space. For instance, "the situation of Ezekiel's temple within a warren of chambers and courtyards resembles, in general, the layout of Neo-Babylonian temples" (p. 70). According to G., the kitchens described, which have no parallel description in Solomon's temple, also reflect the Neo-Babylonian temples with which the exiles would have been familiar. G. concludes that much of the design of Ezekiel's temple is to prevent defilement and to preserve the temple's purity. The protection of the temple's purity is further supplemented by a restructured temple hierarchy, including the priests, the Levites, and the nāśîʾ. G. argues in chap. 5 that "Ezekiel's priests, like the priests serving in Neo-Babylonian temples, are split into groups, with the Zadokite priests clearly higher in rank" (p.105), while the non-Zadokites and Levites are compared to the lower-ranking Babylonian purveyors. Ezekiel's nāśîʾ integrates the roles of the two Babylonian temple officials who had many administrative obligations but no role in the cult. The division of labor allows for a smaller number of personnel in the sacred space. The final chapter (chap. 6) is concerned with the first-month rituals in Ezekiel's envisioned temple. The descriptions of Ezekiel's rituals and of the Akītu festival in Babylon are similar. "These similarities include similar dates, partial participation by the people, who mainly observe but do not actively participate in the ritual, and the functions of the...

Temple Trade Unionism in Travancore

Politicization has grappled the administration of Hindu temples in the state of Kerala since the formation of Devaswom Boards which are envisaged as autonomous bodies entrusted with the administration of temples here. Trade unions and their activities are rampant today in the temples of Kerala. Trade unionism is nothing other than the direct result of the politicization of temple administration. Though trade unionism is significant for protecting the rights of employees, often its politicization affects the serenity of temples and the unity and general discipline of employees as it involves direct action methods for achieving goals. Various Commission Reports and Court verdicts often pointed out that politically affiliated trade unionism is detrimental to the temples. The administration of Devaswom boards has been deteriorated to the level of a business establishment due to the presence of strong and highly politicized trade unions. The study tries to examine the historical and contemporary role of trade union movements existing among the temple employees of public temples in Kerala.

Attā ammīni tašappara, „Du, warum schreibst Du mir?“ Verfasserinnen kassitenzeitlicher Briefe – 1. Teil

Currently, about 1,2% of the Kassite period letters can be attributed to female senders. In this article, the language and style of three out of four preserved Kassite period letters sent by women are analysed based on the “Speech Act Theory”. The sender’s name is Inbi-Ajjāri. The application of the “Speech Act Theory” revealed that Inbi-Ajjāri had an influential position in a household in Nippur. She was in a position to give orders to the official Innannu and reprimand his behaviour. Secondly, this article evaluates the social context of Inbi-Ajjāri through a prosopographical analysis. Inbi-Ajjāri was involved in governance processes. Her letters imply that she belonged to a different household than Innannu. I suggest that she had a high-ranking managerial position, supervising agricultural workers and animals, and, possibly, also the textile production, perhaps, in the provincial or temple administration of Kassite period Nippur.

A Study of the Tax System Associated with the Ancient Irrigation System and the use of the Proceeds for Temple Purposes Revealed by the Source of the Epigraphy

This study is an epigraphy sourced inquiry into the taxation system associated with the ancient irrigation system of Sri Lanka and the use of that revenue for rural needs. Tank land is the most popular type of land that was donated for temples by royalty, nobles as well as common people. Its incomes have been used in an organized manner to fulfill the needs of the residents, to successfully fulfill religious functions, as well as for the restoration processes of the temple. The research problem here was whether the tank lands given for temples and their income were used for temple needs with proper management. The main objective of this study was to conduct a study on the tank lands offered for temples during the Rajarata kingdoms and their revenue management. To identify how Viharaya emerged as a property-owning organization, investigate the contribution and involvement of Bhikshu in the management of the revenue shares of a lake, investigate the legal provisions in the use of the revenue of the tank lands for temple needs, etc. was implemented as sub-objectives of this research. The research method used here is the historical research method. The conclusions of this research were reached by studying the data obtained in a comparative and analytical manner based on the information revealed by epigraphical sources, limiting to the Rajarata civilization stage. The conclusion reached here was that due to the taxes obtained from the tank lands made for the temples and those revenues were used with proper management to meet the needs of the residents, an orderly temple administration system had been built at the same time.

Political History and Functionaries of Vikramapandeswar Temple – A Study

Vikrama Pandeswara temple of Cholapuram is situated in ten kilometer surrounding of Rajapalayam town. This is one of the most important canonical temples built by the Pandya kings of 12th–13th centuries ruled from Madurai. This temple Vikrama Pandeswara was the creation of Pandya king Vikrama Pandya. The inscriptions of this temple are published in South Indian Inscriptions Volume XXVI from 509 to 530. These inscriptions possessed information about the temple in a number of items. It contains the political history of the temple, the villages and nadu’s, tax procedure, temple officials and the temple rituals. The available inscriptions of this place, the inscription No. 525 published in volume XXVI deserves our attention. Many village names are found in the inscriptions of Cholapuram temple. Some places like Anmar Nadu, Mudi Valangu Pandya Nallur, Uttama Chola Chaturvedimangalam, Veerapandiya Chaturvedimangalam can be known from the inscriptions of this temple. One can also know the temple administration system through the temple inscriptions. This article indicates a brief overview on functionaries of Vikrama Pandeswara temple.

Continuities and changes of Kamakhya at Nīlācala: A geo-heritage and geo-tourism perspective

The present paper tries to unearth new insights for understanding the importance of Kamakhya. While doing so, significant emphasis has been laid on empirical research methods. The findings have been put in tune with the existing historical narratives to bring out crucial points regarding the practices of worship of the goddess at the Kamakhya temple. Through this process the paper seeks to understand the critical connection of tantra to the ancient land of Kamarupa. Secondly, it looks into the indigenous ingredients of modes of worship that had shaped this unique goddess and her cult. Thirdly, the paper traces the rich history of pilgrimage to the Kamakhya pith, though the entire historical process of pilgrimage is hard to determine, at least from the last two years of oral records have been consulted, to draw a linkage with the present day impact of the temple on the pilgrims and the tourists. Lastly, but not the least, the temple has been discussed as a geographical site of importance rather than a religious or historical site. As for the method applied, unstructured interview was conducted keeping the objectives of the study in consideration. The interviewees were purposively selected keeping in view the fact that they are residing in Nilaćala hills for generations together or actively involved in temple administration. The objective was to probe information regarding geo-heritage of the temple hitherto unknown. Our engagement with the study has enabled us to uncover the untold and unheard narratives. Foremost, we found that the very hill where the temple is situated has been associated with development of a community of dwellers, commonly referred to as Pandas, belonging primarily to Brahmin caste. Their history of migration, their modes of livelihood and their association with the temple and the deity is found to be integral to the heritage of the site. Coming to the cult we found that both Vedic and Tantric modes are used for the worship. There is a mystical side to the deity which is often linked with the practice of tantra and her being the goddess of fertility. And, most importantly we found the traditions of the community living on the Nīlācala, the modes of worship of the deity and also of pilgrimage, have gone through certain changes while adapting to new socio-cultural practices. Yet, there are certain aspects which are still intact and carefully maintained for ages now.

TEMPLE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM OF TAMILS

Our ancient Tamil people’s temple administration system is one of the most efficient administrative system in India. The Tamil kings constructed a systematic arrangement in the temple administration. The temple official was called as “sri Kariyam” and the account book were called as “Sri Pandara Pusthagam”. There were number of workers employed in the temples. In the temples holy hymns of Siva and Vishnu were sung. The holy singers were called as “uvachers”. The temples were served as hospitals and schools at that time. The temples had libraries and it was called as Saareswathi Pandurams. In the temples poem were composed, dances were enact and plays were enacted. So the temple took a prominent part in the lives of ancient Tamil peoples. Our Tamil peoples temple administration system is the exact example for the efficient administrative systems of Tamils.

Temples in Travancore: History, Polity and Governance

Temples in Kerala have been all the time, amazing factors in the society for their uniqueness in tradition, customs, rituals, festivals, art, architecture, mural paintings, etc. It is believed that most of the ancient Hindu temples in Kerala have been consecrated by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, after the departure of Parasurama, the Brahmins became the virtual rulers of the land. They divided the land into several Desams, and in each, they erected a temple, consecrated it and placed an image in them, and performed the prescribed rituals. The ownership of Hindu temples became the bone of contention for the temples that were associated with power in the locality. In the course of the conflict for the ownership of temples, the management of several of them became disorderly, and the state had, in consequence, to assume their control through the exercise of its paramount melkoima right. This paper is a historical analysis of the role of temples in society and the evolution of temple administration in the erstwhile Travancore state.

Introduction and General

Introduction and General Brent A. Strawn and Christopher T. Begg 2437. [Bullae from the Shara Temple] Nawala Ahmed Al-Mutawalli, Khalid Salim Ismael, and Walther Sallaberger, Bullae from the Shara Temple (Cuneiform Texts from the Iraqi Excavations at Umma [Jokha] 2; with contributions by Hamza [End Page 872] Shahad Al-Harbi and Adelheid Otto; Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2019). Pp. 201 + plates + 6 [Arabic title, table of contents, & preface]. €68. ISBN 978-3-447-11159-1. This volume is the second in a series (but the first to appear) that will publish the cuneiform texts from the Iraqi Excavations at Umma (Jokha) that were conducted in the years 1999 to 2002. It focuses on 107 bullae from the Shara Temple, which all stem from a single room, Room 21. The rest of the bullae (more than 200) from Umma (Jokha) were recovered from the main tell; they will be published in vol. 3 of the series. The Umma (Jokha) cuneiform tablets date to the Early Old Babylonian period, with many belonging to the time when Umma was ruled by Sumuel of Larsa (1894–1866 b.c.e.). The bullae as well are from the Early Old Babylonian period. After an introduction to the archaeological evidence for the Shara Temple of Umma in the Early Old Babylonian Period, the authors provide an extensive overview of the bullae archive from the temple administration and the information that can be gleaned from this. The catalogue follows, after which one finds the texts in transliteration and translation (in both English and Arabic), a treatment of the seals and seal inscriptions, and a consideration of the iconography of the seal impressions. A bibliography, plus indexes (year dates, personal names, divine names, geographical names, field names, glossary) and plates of the 107 texts conclude the volume.—B.A.S. 2438. Victoria Altmann-Wendling, Mondsymbolik-Mondwissen. Lunare Konzepte in den ägyptischen Tempeln griechisch-römischer Zeit (2 vols.; Studien zur spätägyptischen Religion 22; Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2018). Pp. xx + 698 (vol. 1); 699-1055 + 31 b/w plates + 8 color plates (vol. 2). €198. ISBN 978-3-447-11136-2. In this reworking of her 2017 Tübingen dissertation, A.-W. provides a comprehensive account concerning the moon (Egyptian ʾIʿḥ, ʾIwnḥʿʿ) in the life and religion of Greco-Roman Egypt. Vol. 1 surveys the relevant source material for the study, i.e. the pictorial and/or textual evidence drawn from central temples of the era (Dendara, Edfu, and Karnak in particular), local cult sites at oases, and papyri. In her second volume, A.-W. then seeks to synthesize the data generated in the first, here highlighting the range of mythological/theological, cultic, astronomical, symbolic, and calendrical conceptions surrounding the "lunar phenomenon," the iconographical representations of these, and the complex interplay among them in the late period of ancient Egypt's history. Her vol. 2 also includes an appendix consisting of a catalogue of texts containing the two above-mentioned words for "moon," an extensive bibliography, various indexes, and a series of plates illustrating her previous discussion of Egyptian lunar iconography.—C.T.B. 2439. [Egyptian and ANE Palaces] Manfred Bietak, Paolo Matthiae, and Silvia Prell (eds.), Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Palaces, Vol. II: Proceedings of a Workshop Held at the 10th ICAANE in Vienna, 25-26 April 2016 (Contributions to the Archaeology of Egypt, Nubia, and the Levant [CAENL] 8; Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2019). Pp. 256. €98. ISBN 978-3-447-11183-6. This collection of studies on ANE and Egyptian palaces derives from a workshop organized jointly by the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei that was held in Vienna in April 2016 in conjunction with the 10th meeting of the ICAANE. The objective of the workshop was to present and augment existing knowledge about ANE palaces in relation to those of ancient Egypt. It has become clear that while concepts [End Page 873] of axial plans and symmetry in Egyptian palaces reflect the pharaonic mindset, ANE palace architects were more flexible in planning their constructions. Besides the...

Clay Sealings from the Pyramid Complex of King Raneferef Kept in the Náprstek Museum: General Features of the Corpus and its Potential to the Study of the Administration of the Royal Funerary Cult

In the 1980s, the excavations of the Czechoslovak Institute of Egyptology headed by Miroslav Verner excavated large parts of the pyramid complex of King Raneferef (Neferefre)2 and uncovered evidence of the mortuary cult of the king, including ca. one thousand of clay sealings (or sealing fragments). Out of them, a corpus of over three hundred sealings was acquired by National Museum – Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures. In most aspects, they make a representative sample of the whole corpus. This paper presents in summary properties of the corpus relevant to the interpretation of the temple administration as it is reflected in the sealing activity.3 After a brief introduction to the site and the organization of the excavated corpus, the attention will be focused particularly on the general patterns of the distribution of sealings with regard to space, type, and attested epigraphical features (titles, names of gods and institutions, other iconographical features), as these are the means to uncover potential correlations between the activity of holders of particular offices (or representatives of particular institutions), particular parts of the temple and particular types of sealings (i.e. particular kinds of sealed containers).

Service delivery in a religious organisation: model and insights

In this paper we present a queueing model for addressing long waiting time of devotees at a religious organisation (Hindu Temple) in southern India. We highlight various challenges faced by the temple administration and suggested suitable recommendations and managerial insights based on the proposed model. Based on the model, we identified key performance indicators like average waiting time, number of devotees waiting in the system at a given point of time, etc. Effect of model-based solution has been demonstrated with sample results under three scenarios (single, double and triple channel queueing system). Guidelines for implementation of recommendations during peak and non-peak demand were also suggested along with future scope of work.

Service delivery in a religious organisation: model and insights

In this paper we present a queueing model for addressing long waiting time of devotees at a religious organisation (Hindu Temple) in southern India. We highlight various challenges faced by the temple administration and suggested suitable recommendations and managerial insights based on the proposed model. Based on the model, we identified key performance indicators like average waiting time, number of devotees waiting in the system at a given point of time, etc. Effect of model-based solution has been demonstrated with sample results under three scenarios (single, double and triple channel queueing system). Guidelines for implementation of recommendations during peak and non-peak demand were also suggested along with future scope of work.

The Chronicler’s Portrait of Temple Administration

The Chronicler’s Portrait of Temple Administration Terry Ann Smith A review of The Temple Administration and the Levites in Chronicles. By Yeong Seon Kim. CBQMS 51. Pp. viii + 227. Washington, D.C.: The Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2014. Paper, $16.00. Chronicles, as a particular depiction of the reigns of the kings of Judah, most notably David and Solomon, consists of lengthy genealogies and theological convictions that seemingly reiterate the history of Israel found in the books of Samuel and Kings. Yet, unlike Samuel and Kings, we find in the Chronicler’s account an emphasis on the temple and the establishment of worship. The Chronicler’s knowledge and use of biblical material provide an excellent, albeit biased, resource for understanding the structure, roles, and workings of these prominent political and religious institutions and the groups that operate within them. Yeong Seon Kim’s The Temple Administration and the Levites in Chronicles examines the intricacies of Chronicles and suggests that the authorial intent of Chronicles is to persuade the writer’s contemporary audience that the Levites, as a group embedded in Israel’s cultic traditions, are the rightful heirs to the temple’s administrative posts and positions. For Kim, the Chronicler establishes the Levites as prominent players in temple management by historically linking the Levites to the organizational, economic, and cultic activities of the temple. The groundwork for Kim’s analysis is presented in chapter 1. Using selected passages from Chronicles, Kim reviews scholarship germane to a discussion of the historical and ideological particularities of the Levites as an influential presence in the administration of the temple and its economy. In the Chronicler’s reconstruction, the Levitical involvement in temple affairs dates to the reign of King David and the earliest installation of the Aaronide priesthood. Chapter 1 sets the tone for Kim’s investigation into the Chronicler’s “interest” and “vision” for the temple as these pertain to the Levites. In chapter 2, Kim raises a series of interrelated questions designed to investigate the Chronicler’s portrait of temple administration, specifically his depiction of the Levites as temple gatekeepers, treasurers, and tax collectors as recorded in 1 Chr 9:17–32; 26:1–32 and 2 Chr 24:5–11; 34:9–13. Having established the administrative roles of the Levites in chapter 2, she then provides a comparative analysis in chapter 3 of the Chronicler’s description of [End Page 411] administrative practices and policies with similar practices found in other ancient near eastern sources written in the post-exilic period and beyond, particularly those sources that offer information about the temple economy and its staff. In the fourth and final chapter, Kim puts forth a plausible explanation for what may be at stake in the Chronicler’s presentation of the Levites and temple administration. Kim’s observations lead her to conclude that the Chronicler makes intentional departures from biblical, extra-biblical and Second Temple sources, which she suggests provide evidence of the Chronicler’s specific ideological agenda. This agenda, according to Kim, reflects an “idealized” rather than “actual” portrait of temple administration, and thus, functions as the Chronicler’s way of making the administration of the temple “applicable to his time and generation” (p. 192). Viewing the book of Chronicles as an idealized product of the Persian period, Kim selects the most relevant texts that address the economic and administrative polices of the temple with respect to Levitical involvement. She begins with a general inspection of 1 Chr 5:27–41 and 6, which introduce the genealogies of the priesthood stemming from the tribe of Levi, which, in turn, are grouped into the specific categories of priests, Levites, and singers (p. 8). These categories are nuanced somewhat in 1 Chr 9:17–32 where the Levites are also identified broadly as temple servants and Israelites. Kim submits “the first detailed explication of Levitical administrative functions,” the gatekeepers, is found in 1 Chr 9:18–24 and views this appearance and emphasis on the Levites as the Chronicler’s attempt to connect this group with the temple economy and cultic practices (p. 10). The Chronicler’s interest in the Levites is extended in 1 Chronicles 23–26...

Review of Kim, Yeong Seon, The Temple Administration and the Levites in Chronicles (CBQMS, 51; Washington D.C.: The Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2014).

Review of Kim, Yeong Seon, The Temple Administration and the Levites in Chronicles (CBQMS, 51; Washington D.C.: The Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2014).

To curate in the field: archaeological privatization and the aesthetic ‘legislation’ of antiquity in India

This paper strives to pluralize notions of taste in relation to the canonized category of the Hindu or Indian temple. I put ‘Hindu’ in italics because I include Jain temples in my discussion and I put ‘Indian’ in italics because the architecture I discuss predates India as a nation-state and in the twenty-first century includes buildings in South and Southeast Asia as well as the Diaspora. Through a discussion of the Archaeological Preservation Aesthetic (APA) and multiple variants of the Ritual Renovation Aesthetics (RRA), new ways of looking emerge. This paper seeks to reconcile the hegemonic assumptions about art historical taste and the temple within an increasingly global environment. The main argument is predicated on temple users’ practice as a form of curatorial practice in the field and provides a deep description of the multiplication of aesthetics due to increasing privatization of temple administration in India. The tenth-century cluster of temples from the Medapata region (Southern Rajasthan) serves as case study for a widespread phenomenon of putting ancient temples ‘back’ into worship during the second half of the twentieth and the beginning of the twenty-first century.

Internet Threats to Hindu Authority: Puja-ordering Websites and the Kalighat Temple

AbstractThis article investigates particular threats to authority within Hinduism as a result of the Internet. It focuses upon websites which allow for pujas (devotional rituals) to be ordered to be carried out at the important Kalighat Temple in Kolkata. The two groups which currently exercise authority at the temple are identified, along with the specific forms of authority which they exercise. The processes which are occurring as a result of the puja-ordering websites and the activities of those responsible for them are then demonstrated. The argument put forward is that, in addition to the puja ordering services being a threat to both the authority of the temple administration and the priests working there, they also have the potential to affect the relationship between these two groups. Findings from the Kalighat Temple case study further suggest that the effects at temples of online puja-ordering services are dependent upon the current situation at respective temples.

The Influence of Chinese Master Taixu on Buddhism in Vietnam

From the 1920s, Vietnamese Buddhist reformers revitalized their religion, inspired in great part by the Chinese monk Taixu’s blueprint to modernize and systematize sangha education and temple administration, and by his idea of renjian fojiao , “Buddhism for this world,” emphasizing the centrality of education, modern publishing, social work, and Buddhist lay groups to Buddhism’s future in the modern world. This article first discusses the Chinese Buddhist revival, then the activities of Buddhist reformers in Vietnam 1920s–60s, and the flows of Buddhist personnel and materials between Vietnam and China. This article explores how renjian fojiao was interpreted and realized in Vietnam, especially its influence upon Thich Nhat Hanh as he developed his ideas on “Engaged Buddhism.”