{"product_id":"virtual-orientalism","title":"Virtual Orientalism","description":"\u003cp\u003eSaffron-robed monks and long-haired gurus have become familiar characters on the American pop culture scene. Jane Iwamura examines the contemporary fascination with Eastern spirituality and provides a cultural history of the representation of Asian religions in American mass media. Initial engagements with Asian spiritual heritages were mediated by monks, gurus, bhikkhus, sages, sifus, healers, and masters from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and religious traditions. Virtual Orientalism shows the evolution of these interactions, from direct engagements with specific individuals, to mediated relations with a conventionalized icon. Visually and psychically compelling, the Oriental Monk becomes for Americans a ''figure of translation'' - a convenient symbol for alternative spiritualities and modes of being. Through the figure of the non-sexual, solitary Monk, who generously and purposefully shares his wisdom with the West, Asian religiosity is made manageable - psychologically, socially, and politically - for American popular culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Jane Naomi Iwamura\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 2011\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 227\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62808540184947,"sku":"9780199738601","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0987\/0812\/8115\/files\/content_87a17453-ed07-472c-a4d8-632652606cd0.jpg?v=1777959782","url":"https:\/\/readaura.store\/products\/virtual-orientalism","provider":"Read Aura","version":"1.0","type":"link"}