High Religion: A Cultural and Political History of Sherpa Buddhism

High Religion examines the emergence and development of celibate Buddhist monasticism among the Sherpa people of Nepal from the early 1900s to the 1980s. Ortner chronicles the founding of the first Sherpa monasteries and nunneries through extensive historical research and ethnographic fieldwork. The book focuses on key religious leaders and their efforts to establish monastery institutions in the face of social and economic challenges. The narrative follows multiple generations of Sherpa Buddhist practitioners as they work to maintain and expand monastic traditions while their society undergoes significant changes. Drawing from oral histories and firsthand accounts, Ortner documents the complex relationship between Sherpa religious and secular life during this period of transformation. The text incorporates details about ritual practices, institutional structures, and the daily experiences of monks and nuns. This anthropological study reveals broader themes about how religious movements evolve and adapt when traditional societies encounter modernization. The work contributes to understanding the intersection of Buddhism, culture, and social change in the Himalayan region.

Readers appreciate Ortner's detailed ethnographic research and clear explanation of how Sherpa Buddhism evolved alongside mountaineering tourism in Nepal. Several reviewers noted the book helps explain the intersection between religious practice and economic development. Anthropology students found the theoretical framework accessible, with one Goodreads reviewer stating it "provides a model for analyzing religious institutions in relation to social and political change." Critical reviews focused on Ortner's occasionally dense academic language and limited discussion of women's roles in Sherpa Buddhism. A few readers wanted more analysis of contemporary religious practices beyond the historical focus. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (2 ratings) The book is frequently cited in anthropology course syllabi and religious studies papers, particularly for its analysis of how Buddhism adapts to socioeconomic changes. Academic reviewers in journals praised Ortner's fieldwork methods and archival research.

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🏔️ Sherry Ortner conducted her initial fieldwork with the Sherpa people in Nepal during 1966-1969, living among them and documenting their religious practices and cultural transformations. ⛰️ The book explores how Sherpa Buddhism was dramatically transformed in the 18th-19th centuries through the establishment of celibate monasteries, which was a significant departure from their traditional religious practices. 🙏 Prior to the changes documented in the book, Sherpa religious practice was primarily conducted by married lamas in their homes, rather than in formal monasteries. 🏺 The author demonstrates how the founding of monasteries wasn't just a religious change, but also reflected broader political and economic shifts in Sherpa society, including their growing wealth from trade. 🗻 Despite focusing on historical events, this work has become foundational in anthropological studies for its methodology in reconstructing cultural history through both oral traditions and written documents.