Popular Buddhist Texts from Nepal: Narratives and Rituals of Newar Buddhism

The introduction presents Buddhism as a pragmatic religious tradition concerned with the ordinary needs of human life: health, protection, prosperity, good rebirth, moral formation, and spiritual progress. Lewis argues that Buddhist studies has often overemphasized canonical philosophy while neglecting vernacular texts, ritual culture, and the lived religion of lay communities. Newar Buddhism is presented as a rare surviving Indic Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna tradition that preserves important evidence for understanding Buddhist ritualism and popular devotion. The book includes studies and translations of several Newar Buddhist texts. Chapter 2 examines the Śṛṅgabherī Avadāna, focusing on stupas, spouses, and practical Buddhism. Chapter 3 studies the Siṃhalasārthabāhu Avadāna, involving merchants, demonesses, and missionary faith. Chapter 4 presents the Tārā vrata, a devotional ritual to a celestial bodhisattva. Chapter 5 analyzes the Caturdaśī vrata of Mahākāla. Chapter 6 studies the Pañcarakṣā, emphasizing protective recitation amid disease and danger. The final chapter summarizes the broader significance of these narratives and rituals for understanding practical Mahāyāna Buddhism.