Carl Olson is Professor of Religous Studies at Allegheny College. Besides numerous essays in journals, books and encyclopedias, he has published 17 books on subjects such as Hinduism, Buddhism, comparative philosophy, and method and theory in the study of religion. His most recent books include Celibacy in Religious Traditions and The Allure of Decadent Thinking: Religious Studies and the Challenge of Postmodernism, both published by Oxford University Press.

• Preface ; List of Book Abbreviations ; Chapter 1 Introduction ; Chapter 2 The Banyan Tree of Indian Asceticism ; Chapter 3 Types of Power ; Chapter 4 Violence, the Demonic, and Power ; Chapter 5 Language and Power ; Chapter 6 Ludic Elements: Eroticism, Comic, and Power ; Chapter 7 Play, Miracles, and Power ; Chapter 8 Power and Theory ; Bibliography ; Index

In this interesting book Professor Olson discusses how asceticism is at the heart of Indian religions, offering forms of practice for the attainment of supernatural powers and spiritual liberation. Not only is this a fascinating account of asceticism in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, it relates these practices to contemporary debate in the human sciences such as about the role of cognition in cultural practice. This clearly written book will be invaluable to students of Indian religions and asceticism.

Carl Olson is Professor of Religous Studies at Allegheny College. Besides numerous essays in journals, books and encyclopedias, he has published 17 books on subjects such as Hinduism, Buddhism, comparative philosophy, and method and theory in the study of religion. His most recent books include Celibacy in Religious Traditions and The Allure of Decadent Thinking: Religious Studies and the Challenge of Postmodernism, both published by Oxford University Press.

• Preface ; List of Book Abbreviations ; Chapter 1 Introduction ; Chapter 2 The Banyan Tree of Indian Asceticism ; Chapter 3 Types of Power ; Chapter 4 Violence, the Demonic, and Power ; Chapter 5 Language and Power ; Chapter 6 Ludic Elements: Eroticism, Comic, and Power ; Chapter 7 Play, Miracles, and Power ; Chapter 8 Power and Theory ; Bibliography ; Index

In this interesting book Professor Olson discusses how asceticism is at the heart of Indian religions, offering forms of practice for the attainment of supernatural powers and spiritual liberation. Not only is this a fascinating account of asceticism in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, it relates these practices to contemporary debate in the human sciences such as about the role of cognition in cultural practice. This clearly written book will be invaluable to students of Indian religions and asceticism.

Carl Olson is Professor of Religous Studies at Allegheny College. Besides numerous essays in journals, books and encyclopedias, he has published 17 books on subjects such as Hinduism, Buddhism, comparative philosophy, and method and theory in the study of religion. His most recent books include Celibacy in Religious Traditions and The Allure of Decadent Thinking: Religious Studies and the Challenge of Postmodernism, both published by Oxford University Press.

• Preface ; List of Book Abbreviations ; Chapter 1 Introduction ; Chapter 2 The Banyan Tree of Indian Asceticism ; Chapter 3 Types of Power ; Chapter 4 Violence, the Demonic, and Power ; Chapter 5 Language and Power ; Chapter 6 Ludic Elements: Eroticism, Comic, and Power ; Chapter 7 Play, Miracles, and Power ; Chapter 8 Power and Theory ; Bibliography ; Index

In this interesting book Professor Olson discusses how asceticism is at the heart of Indian religions, offering forms of practice for the attainment of supernatural powers and spiritual liberation. Not only is this a fascinating account of asceticism in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, it relates these practices to contemporary debate in the human sciences such as about the role of cognition in cultural practice. This clearly written book will be invaluable to students of Indian religions and asceticism.