Center for Religion & Civic Culture

Asian Religions in Transnational Perspective

November 10, 2009
12:00 PM - 2:15 PM
University Park Campus
University Club

Janet Hoskins, “Spirits You See in the Mirror: Possession Rituals in Orange County and Vietnam”
Jane Iwamura, “Virtual Buddhas and Asian Religions in Mass Media”

This event highlights Asian religious practices as they have traveled to the United States, including spirit possession ceremonies in Orange County, which feature juggling with flaming incense sticks, martial arts inspired dances with swords, lances and a bow and arrow, cross-dressing mediums (women dressing as warriors, men as beautiful princesses), the distribution of fruit, chocolate, scarves, costume jewelry, and cakes. Through video and reporting, USC College’s Janet Hoskins (Anthropology) and Jane Iwamura (Religion, and American Studies and Ethnicity) consider the range of practices and beliefs and their migratory natures.

These lectures are presented by the 2009-2010 CRCC Seminar, Transnational Charisma and Traveling Spirits: How Religion Travels Across a Global Landscape, presented in collaboration with the College Commons. The seminar is organized by Janet Hoskins (Anthropology) and Macarena Gomez-Barris.