June Mcdaniel
Biographic Data
| ID | 3830345 |
|---|---|
| NAME | June Mcdaniel |
| GIVEN NAMES | June |
| FAMILY NAME | Mcdaniel |
| SIGNATURE | MCDANIEL J |
| AFFILIATIONS | College of Charleston |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3797-981X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 11 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1989 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Catholic, Shia and Shakta Salvation Through Mystical Sorrow: Holy Mothers and Sacred Families
Suffering is a problem addressed by many world religions. This paper examines the understanding of suffering in three religions: Catholic Christianity, Shia Islam, and Shakta Hinduism. In each of these cases, ordinary suffering is transformed into mystical sorrow, becoming a path to closeness and divine union. This transformation makes use of religious symbolism of the family, emphasizing the role of the mother. Worldly suffering is no longer mea…
Introduction: Gurus, Priestesses, Saints, Mediums and Yoginis: Holy Women as Influencers in Hindu Culture
This Special Issue is dedicated to Hindu holy women past and present and the ways that they have influenced society
Shakti in Village India: Priestesses, Sadhikas, Bhar Ladies, Ayes, Bhaktas, Witches, and Bonga Girls
In this paper, we shall examine some major religious roles for women in West Bengal, India, and the challenges they must face. Among the Santals, an Adivasi group, religious women must avoid being called witches, for women's power is seen as dangerous and religious social roles are traditionally forbidden to them. Some women have been called by deities to become trance mediums, colloquially known as 'bhar ladies', and this role is generally not a…
At the Burning Ground: Death and Transcendence in Bengali Shaktism
The burning ground is both a place and a metaphor in the religion of Shaktism or goddess worship in West Bengal, India. As a place, it is where corpses are cremated. As a metaphor, it refers to the human heart, which has been left as a wasteland through sorrow and tragedy. It is when the soul loses its attachment to this world, when the heart is desolate and alone, that the dark goddess Kali descends from the heavens. She may bring the gift of sa…
Mysticism among the Pedandas of Bali
On the island of Bali in Indonesia, the traditional Hindu religious leaders are the pedandas, or brahmin high priests. Their religious status is largely based on their mystical states, during which they create the highest and most valuable form of holy water, which is needed for all religious rituals on the island. It is one of the rare examples in world religions where mysticism is not only integrated into the daily life of the community but is …
"Introduction to "Religious Experience in the Hindu Tradition
This special issue of Religions brings together a talented group of international scholars who have studied and written on the Hindu tradition. The topic of religious experience is much debated in the field of Religious Studies, and here we present studies of Hindu religious experience explored from a variety of regions and perspectives. They are intended to show that religious experience has long been an important part of Hinduism, and we consid…
Strengthening the Moral Compass”: The Effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Therapy on Moral and Spiritual Development
Indonesia, modernity and some problems of religious adaptation
This article discusses the challenges of adaptation for Indonesian religion. It describes the ways that the major Indonesian religions have changed to fit the requirements of being recognized religions, and focuses as an example on the ways that Balinese Hinduism has changed to become Agama Hindu Dharma Indonesia. It also examines the traditional theological problem of “faith and works” in the Indonesian context, and the concerns used to balance …
Revelry, Rivalry and Longing for the Goddesses of Bengal: The Fortunes of Hindu Festivals. Rachel Fell McDermott
Revelry, Rivalry and Longing for the Goddesses of Bengal: The Fortunes of Hindu Festivals. Rachel Fell McDermott. New York: Columbia University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-231-12918 (hbk); 978-0-231-12919 (pbk). $89.50/$29.50
Agama Hindu Dharma Indonesia as a New Religious Movement: Hinduism Recreated in the Image of Islam
This article describes the role of Hinduism in modern Indonesia and the ways in which it has been adapted to fit the government's definition of religion as a prophetic monotheism with revealed texts and a universal ethic. It gives a brief background on Indonesian history and analyzes the structure and theology of Agama Hindu Dharma Indonesia. It discusses whether a governmental reorganization of an ancient religion can be considered a new religio…
Religious Experience in Hindu Tradition
This article argues against the popular stereotype of religious experience having been invented by modern scholars. It examines understandings of religious experience from a variety of Hindu traditions, from the Vedas to the present
Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls
This book provides an overview of Bengali goddess worship or Shakti. The book identifies three major forms of goddess worship, and examines each through its myths, folklore, songs, rituals, sacred texts, and practitioners. Drawing on years of fieldwork and extensive research, the book paints a portrait of this religious tradition.
Tantric and Yogic Shaktism Knowledge of the Goddess's Ways
This chapter discusses Bengali Shakta tantra. Bengali Shakta tantra is marked by the use of death imagery, seeking the goddess at the cremation ground, having her symbolism bound up by the use of skulls and ash from funeral pyres, and the goddess's dance upon her prone husband, Shiva, who appears as a corpse. Although Shakta tantra in other areas of India may emphasize sexual ritual as a spiritual path, Bengali Shakta tantra emphasizes death, pow…
Offering flowers, feeding skulls: Popular goddess worship in West Bengal
The Indian state of West Bengal is home to one of the world's most vibrant traditions of goddess worship. The year's biggest holidays are devoted to the goddesses Durga and Kali, with lavish rituals, decorated statues, fireworks, and parades. In Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls, June McDaniel provides a broad, accessibly written overview of Bengali goddess worship. McDaniel identifies three major forms of goddess worship, and examines each throug…
Making virtuous daughters and wives: An Introduction to Women's Brata Rituals in Bengali Folk Religion
"Exploring the folk religion of India and the role of girls and women within it, author June McDaniel focuses on the brata (vrata) ritual in which moral lessons are taught and goddesses are revealed. Bratas are performed to gain such goals as a healthy family, a good husband, and a happy life. They are also performed so that the performers (bratinis) develop such virtues as devotion, humility, and compassion.". "This book presents data from field…
O Ṭuṣu Mā: Self-expression, oral history, and social commentary for the Jharkhand goddess
Fieldwork in Indian Religion: Some Notes On Experience and Ethics
Field research in India is always a challenge, especially the investiga tion of religious experience, which has been my area of research. Questions about integrity are relevant ones in the study of religious experience, and more generally the question of integrity is important to explore. What does it mean to it right? For instance, I have had informants share experiences that they have never discussed be fore, and that they value highly. For som…
The Madness of Saints: Ecstatic Religion in Bengal
The Madness of the Saints: Ecstatic Religion in Bengal
The madness of the saints: Ecstatic religion in Bengal
The madness of the saints: Ecstatic religion in Bengal
Strengthening the Moral Compass”: The Effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Therapy on Moral and Spiritual Development
Shakti in Village India: Priestesses, Sadhikas, Bhar Ladies, Ayes, Bhaktas, Witches, and Bonga Girls
In this paper, we shall examine some major religious roles for women in West Bengal, India, and the challenges they must face. Among the Santals, an Adivasi group, religious women must avoid being called witches, for women's power is seen as dangerous and religious social roles are traditionally forbidden to them. Some women have been called by deities to become trance mediums, colloquially known as 'bhar ladies', and this role is generally not a…
"Introduction to "Religious Experience in the Hindu Tradition
This special issue of Religions brings together a talented group of international scholars who have studied and written on the Hindu tradition. The topic of religious experience is much debated in the field of Religious Studies, and here we present studies of Hindu religious experience explored from a variety of regions and perspectives. They are intended to show that religious experience has long been an important part of Hinduism, and we consid…
Indonesia, modernity and some problems of religious adaptation
This article discusses the challenges of adaptation for Indonesian religion. It describes the ways that the major Indonesian religions have changed to fit the requirements of being recognized religions, and focuses as an example on the ways that Balinese Hinduism has changed to become Agama Hindu Dharma Indonesia. It also examines the traditional theological problem of “faith and works” in the Indonesian context, and the concerns used to balance …
Religious Experience in Hindu Tradition
This article argues against the popular stereotype of religious experience having been invented by modern scholars. It examines understandings of religious experience from a variety of Hindu traditions, from the Vedas to the present
The Madness of Saints: Ecstatic Religion in Bengal
The madness of the saints: Ecstatic religion in Bengal
The Madness of the Saints: Ecstatic Religion in Bengal
The Madness of Saints: Ecstatic Religion in Bengal
Fieldwork in Indian Religion: Some Notes On Experience and Ethics
Field research in India is always a challenge, especially the investiga tion of religious experience, which has been my area of research. Questions about integrity are relevant ones in the study of religious experience, and more generally the question of integrity is important to explore. What does it mean to it right? For instance, I have had informants share experiences that they have never discussed be fore, and that they value highly. For som…
Making virtuous daughters and wives: An Introduction to Women's Brata Rituals in Bengali Folk Religion
"Exploring the folk religion of India and the role of girls and women within it, author June McDaniel focuses on the brata (vrata) ritual in which moral lessons are taught and goddesses are revealed. Bratas are performed to gain such goals as a healthy family, a good husband, and a happy life. They are also performed so that the performers (bratinis) develop such virtues as devotion, humility, and compassion.". "This book presents data from field…
O Ṭuṣu Mā: Self-expression, oral history, and social commentary for the Jharkhand goddess
Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls
This book provides an overview of Bengali goddess worship or Shakti. The book identifies three major forms of goddess worship, and examines each through its myths, folklore, songs, rituals, sacred texts, and practitioners. Drawing on years of fieldwork and extensive research, the book paints a portrait of this religious tradition.
Tantric and Yogic Shaktism Knowledge of the Goddess's Ways
This chapter discusses Bengali Shakta tantra. Bengali Shakta tantra is marked by the use of death imagery, seeking the goddess at the cremation ground, having her symbolism bound up by the use of skulls and ash from funeral pyres, and the goddess's dance upon her prone husband, Shiva, who appears as a corpse. Although Shakta tantra in other areas of India may emphasize sexual ritual as a spiritual path, Bengali Shakta tantra emphasizes death, pow…
Offering flowers, feeding skulls: Popular goddess worship in West Bengal
The Indian state of West Bengal is home to one of the world's most vibrant traditions of goddess worship. The year's biggest holidays are devoted to the goddesses Durga and Kali, with lavish rituals, decorated statues, fireworks, and parades. In Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls, June McDaniel provides a broad, accessibly written overview of Bengali goddess worship. McDaniel identifies three major forms of goddess worship, and examines each throug…
Religious Experience in Hindu Tradition
This article argues against the popular stereotype of religious experience having been invented by modern scholars. It examines understandings of religious experience from a variety of Hindu traditions, from the Vedas to the present
Agama Hindu Dharma Indonesia as a New Religious Movement: Hinduism Recreated in the Image of Islam
This article describes the role of Hinduism in modern Indonesia and the ways in which it has been adapted to fit the government's definition of religion as a prophetic monotheism with revealed texts and a universal ethic. It gives a brief background on Indonesian history and analyzes the structure and theology of Agama Hindu Dharma Indonesia. It discusses whether a governmental reorganization of an ancient religion can be considered a new religio…
Revelry, Rivalry and Longing for the Goddesses of Bengal: The Fortunes of Hindu Festivals. Rachel Fell McDermott
Revelry, Rivalry and Longing for the Goddesses of Bengal: The Fortunes of Hindu Festivals. Rachel Fell McDermott. New York: Columbia University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-231-12918 (hbk); 978-0-231-12919 (pbk). $89.50/$29.50
Indonesia, modernity and some problems of religious adaptation
This article discusses the challenges of adaptation for Indonesian religion. It describes the ways that the major Indonesian religions have changed to fit the requirements of being recognized religions, and focuses as an example on the ways that Balinese Hinduism has changed to become Agama Hindu Dharma Indonesia. It also examines the traditional theological problem of “faith and works” in the Indonesian context, and the concerns used to balance …
Strengthening the Moral Compass”: The Effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Therapy on Moral and Spiritual Development
"Introduction to "Religious Experience in the Hindu Tradition
This special issue of Religions brings together a talented group of international scholars who have studied and written on the Hindu tradition. The topic of religious experience is much debated in the field of Religious Studies, and here we present studies of Hindu religious experience explored from a variety of regions and perspectives. They are intended to show that religious experience has long been an important part of Hinduism, and we consid…
Mysticism among the Pedandas of Bali
On the island of Bali in Indonesia, the traditional Hindu religious leaders are the pedandas, or brahmin high priests. Their religious status is largely based on their mystical states, during which they create the highest and most valuable form of holy water, which is needed for all religious rituals on the island. It is one of the rare examples in world religions where mysticism is not only integrated into the daily life of the community but is …
Shakti in Village India: Priestesses, Sadhikas, Bhar Ladies, Ayes, Bhaktas, Witches, and Bonga Girls
In this paper, we shall examine some major religious roles for women in West Bengal, India, and the challenges they must face. Among the Santals, an Adivasi group, religious women must avoid being called witches, for women's power is seen as dangerous and religious social roles are traditionally forbidden to them. Some women have been called by deities to become trance mediums, colloquially known as 'bhar ladies', and this role is generally not a…
At the Burning Ground: Death and Transcendence in Bengali Shaktism
The burning ground is both a place and a metaphor in the religion of Shaktism or goddess worship in West Bengal, India. As a place, it is where corpses are cremated. As a metaphor, it refers to the human heart, which has been left as a wasteland through sorrow and tragedy. It is when the soul loses its attachment to this world, when the heart is desolate and alone, that the dark goddess Kali descends from the heavens. She may bring the gift of sa…
Introduction: Gurus, Priestesses, Saints, Mediums and Yoginis: Holy Women as Influencers in Hindu Culture
This Special Issue is dedicated to Hindu holy women past and present and the ways that they have influenced society
Catholic, Shia and Shakta Salvation Through Mystical Sorrow: Holy Mothers and Sacred Families
Suffering is a problem addressed by many world religions. This paper examines the understanding of suffering in three religions: Catholic Christianity, Shia Islam, and Shakta Hinduism. In each of these cases, ordinary suffering is transformed into mystical sorrow, becoming a path to closeness and divine union. This transformation makes use of religious symbolism of the family, emphasizing the role of the mother. Worldly suffering is no longer mea…
Philosophy (15 works) · Sociology (11 works) · History (10 works) · Religious studies (9 works) · Art (7 works) · Hinduism (7 works) · Indian and Buddhist Studies (7 works) · Theology (7 works) · Psychology (6 works) · Ancient history (5 works)