Hi,
I'm a Ph.D. research student, registered at the University of Bristol
(Department of Theology and Religious Studies) but living in Gozo
(Malta) (very, *very* small island). My research topic is Tibetan
Buddhist funeral rites.
I'm interested in this list because it's my contention that much of what
is done in Tibetan Buddhism is magical in nature, although such a
statement may be treated as heresy - anathema - very, very bad stuff -
by some Buddhists, especially in the West. However, since I came to
Buddhism after ten years as a solitary Wiccan practitioner, I've seen
lots of activities and rituals where I've made the connection.
Although this list is rather off-topic for my thesis research, I'm on a
one-year suspension of studies so I have time to play in wider fields of
interest, and I'm looking forward very much to the discussions here
(although I tend to be a lurker).
I was interested in Francisco's comment (posting 01 Dec. 05) that he has
'big methodological problems with Theology' because in other arenas I'm
involved in, there appears to be quite a debate brewing on the issue of
theology vs./and religious studies that's pretty interesting to watch,
particularly the issue of practitioners teaching - objectivity
(possible?), subjectivity (desirable?), and so on. Could be fun...
Margaret Gouin
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