Image Processions

On April 25, 2004 at 21.30 hrs local time on the second leg of his procession through Lalitpur, Nepal, the ceremonial chariot carrying the so-called ’Red Matsyendranātha’ fell on its side and its crown touched the ground. This meant the recovery of the god from the chariot and the interruption of the procession for one entire month due to the complete rebuilding of the vehicle followed by the necessary rituals of atonement and exculpation. Experiencing daily clashes of party supporters with the King’s security forces and the Maoist threat looming larger than ever, people and press were quick to establish sinister links: After 1934, when the Kathmandu Valley was hit by one of its worst earthquakes in recorded history, 1990, when the citizens of Nepal took to the streets in a popular uprising against autocratic rule and in 1999, when almost the entire royal family was wiped out in a palace massacre, this year’s incident has been the last in a long line marking the country’s troubled fate. Against the background of popular belief, the history and practice of the rite, the article will try to analyze what exactly happened during this year’s crash, how the damage was assessed by the lay folk as well as by the ritual specialists, which measures where recommended and how and for what purpose they were applied. Keeping in mind the two interpretations of the incident as offence against the godhead or as portentous omen, this is an enquiry into whether in this context there is any appropriate place for or, from the participants’ perspective, any acceptance of a notion such as ’mistake’ or ’failure’. The recorded actions and testimonies, on the contrary, suggest it may be much more adequate to explore the possibilities and opportunities of re-enacted, or rather pre-enacted and thus calculated catastrophe inherent in this particular ritual which enables the performance of breakdown, restoration to a pristine state, forgiveness and well-being. However, if we really would have to talk about the fall of the Red Matsyendranātha in terms of failure, we would have to say: The ritual cannot fail, because, under the current circumstances, it has to fail.

This article, published in the Bollettino della Deputazione di Storia Patria per l'Umbria (vol. 103, 2006), focuses on a special gonfalone painted by Niccolò di Liberatore in 1466 for the confraternity of the Annunziata in Perugia. Transcribed for the first times are archival documents including confraternal inventories that document the existence of multiple banners within the lay company that was affiliated with the Servites.

Pilgrimage and Faith: Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam explores pilgrimage as experienced in Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim faith communities. It addresses shared goals of personal development and communal solidarity as deep human needs. Unique in scope, this richly illustrated catalogue addresses religious diversity in a global perspective.

Dating from the 12th century to the present day, ninety-five historical objects and mementos of present-day pilgrimages are beautifully presented in their context with a collection of essays by leading international scholars. Fine examples include sculptures in wood and limestone from France and copper and bronze from Tibet, a pilgrimage itinerary book from Japan, stained glass from the Middle Ages, a Renaissance enameled chalice from Italy, a lavish embellished Quran from Iran, and Islamic prayer scrolls in silver amulet casings. By studying objects of supreme artistic skill along with mass-produced objects and personal acquisitions such as stones or soil from the holy place, the scholars shed new light on the continuity of pilgrimage and faith – the past and the present and the motivations and experiences of persons of all social strata.

The exhibition starts at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester MA, then travels to the Loyola University Museum of Art, Chicago, the University of Richmond Art Museums, Richmond, VA, and finally the Rubin Museum of Art, New York City. This accompanying catalogue offers unique contributions that combine both general and specialist appeal – an important addition to any private and public library.

Edited by: Virginia C. Raguin, Dina Bangdel, with Francis E. Peters

Contributors include: Najah Bazzy, Martin Brauen, Kerry Lucinda Brown, Megan Foster-Campbell, Edward Holgate, Krisadawan Hongladarom, Paula Gerson, Oleg Grabar, Toni Huber, Susan L. Huntington, Mitzi Kirkland-Ives, Jennifer M. Lee, Amanda Luyster, Alexander J. McNair, Anisa Mehdi, Mika Natif, David M. Perry, Kathryn M. Rudy, and Elizabeth ten Grotenhuis

The genesis of world religions necessitates an integration process with contemporary local society, political enterprises, and cultural institutions.  Through the study of a foreign religious festival in a historical period, this study reveals the circumstances of such a society.  By tracing the evolution of the integration process in this dissertation, I discuss how people assimilate a foreign religion and make the religion part of their culture.  The phenomenon studied is an image procession of over a thousand carriages celebrating Buddha’s birthday in Northern Wei Luoyang.  When Emperor Xuanwu (r. 500 – 515) ascended the Northern Wei (386 – 534) throne, he inherited a prosperous nation and several crises threatening his authority.  One menace came from pro-Xianbei forces and border garrison troops dissatisfied with the previous emperor’s sinification program and capital relocation.  Under such circumstances, the grand Buddha’s birthday parade became a clever scheme to legitimize royal authority, confirm the wisdom of Emperor Xiaowen’s (r. 471 – 499) decision through a vibrant display in the new capital, and pacify pro-Xianbei forces by having foreign icons take center stage.  This transdisciplinary and holistic study of cultural, political, religious, social, literary, artistic, and archaeological evidence underscores the importance of Buddha’s birthday celebration to Buddhism taking root in medieval China.

O. SERGI, “’A Cunfrùnta e ‘A Parrèra”. Le antiche processioni di Pasqua a Catanzaro. Espressioni di “fede” tra liturgia, pietà popolare e identità dei luoghi, in «Obiettivo Calabria», XLVII, 2, 2009, pp. 56 - 59.
Rivista bimestrale della Camera di Commercio di Catanzaro.

... 25 In 1708 (828 NS) a man who climbed on top of the chariot's pinnacle fell and died. ... fell at a place called Na, just after leaving Phulchowk, allegedly breaking up entirely (Adhikari 2004) and within a month, on June 1st the massacre of the royal family took place (Maharjan 2004 ...