by Naw Liang (London, UK and Paris, France)
Mai soong kha!
I hope that everyone is enjoying their summer (or winter). Summer (for those of us in the Northern hemisphere) is can be an oddly busy time: summer vacations and other getaways; gardening, painting, puttering around, etc.; BBQs with friends and family; catching up on reading (the relaxing, laid back and more 'for entertainment only' kind) and so much more. Oddly, with all the time that we (well, some of us) have during the warmer months and with increased time at our disposal, it still strikes me as strange that other important things - completing some research that has been left hanging; working through a few tabled or half-burnt papers; catching up on the tonnes of academic reading that never seems to get a chance, never is prioritised - are ignored. Even though I notice this, I still do it. Shameful.
So, it is with great pleasure and deep interest that I write this post today. While I might be a bit lax with my concentration and scholarship, others are steaming ahead, and we are the much better for their efforts.
A Bumper Crop of Shan Buddhist Scholarship
While trolling through the 50-odd emails that have been choking my inbox of late, I came across something quite startling. In fact, I was so excited to see the title that I almost, in a fit of overzealous mouse work, deleted it by accident. That would have been traumatic to say the least.
Although not a regular reader, I have followed a key journal in Buddhist studies - Contemporary Buddhism - An Interdisciplinary Journal - for some time. It provides clear, informative and insightful snapshots and discussions about Buddhist issues throughout the world, though mainly in Asia as one might expect. And, with its interdisciplinary approach, it can even, at times, be relevant for the anthropological/identity studies likes of me. Furthermore, through my previous work with their group publisher and direct contact with several of the authors of its latest edition, I have come to know the publication quite well - inside and out. There is no doubt that it is a formidable volume in Buddhist studies worldwide, and its latest issue, special to Shan, also attests to its ability to focus both at surface and deeper levels. A wonderful work indeed.
Returning to our Shan focus, I was most (and pleasantly) surprised to see the most recent publication (Volume 10, Issue 1) has been entirely dedicated to Shan Buddhism - a topic that we can all salivate over. Producing an entire volume (see here with abstracts), instead of the odd article on the Shan, is an amazing achievement. It is also incredibly timely by cementing what we have known for some time - Shan Studies are not only growing, but evolving through more mature scholarship and academic legitimisation. They are now here to stay, and this volume provides the proof.
While I have yet to get my hands on a copy - old networks take time to navigate - I am assured that, when I do, I won't be able to put it down. Key figures in Shan studies - F. K. Lehman (Chit Hlaing), Nicola Tannembaum, Nancy Eberhardt, Susan Conway, Jane Ferguson, Jotika Khur-yearn and many others - have all contributed to what is likely to become a contemporary vade mecum on Shan Buddhism. If anyone has read through the text and would like to comment, your views, as always, are welcome.
Until next time,
Naw Liang
