[Buddha-l] Earliest Buddhist Customs and Liturgy

[Dan Lusthaus]

Among the endless stream of emails from the Indian book seller Bagchi (I
imagine many others on this list receive their mailings too), today's
mailing included the following, which may have some information relevant to
Franz's inquiry:

10. Symphony in Stone: Festivities in Early Buddhism / Garima Kaushik

ISBN:   9788181820365  Format:   Hardcover, ix+141p., Tables; Plates;
Maps; Index; Bibliography; 26cm. Pub. Date:   Aug 2007 , 1st ed.
Publisher:   Literary Circle Language:   English Bagchee ID:   42729
Bagchee price: $94.50

http://www.bagchee.com/books.php?id=42729

Early Buddhism i.e. the Theravada doctrine, as we know it today is
considered synonymous with renunciation, austerity and a very severe
monastic code, which strictly forbade through its canons any kinds of
festivities. Contrary to popularly projected view and accepted
beliefs, one does find in the sculptured delineations associated with
early Buddhist architecture and contemporaneous Buddhist literature.
Evidence and references, albeit marginal, to dance and musical
instruments....


Dan