"David Leeming introduces the many mythologies of the Asian continent. Traveling through these pages, the reader may encounter the supreme Gautama Buddha; the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesa; Chang O, the Lunar Toad and Chinese goddess of the Moon; the sacred Cambodian ruins of Angkor; and golden Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods. Myths like the Stone and the Banana of Indonesian origin and the Indian Churning of the Ocean of Milk are likewise represented in detail, as are archetypal themes such as the hero quest, sacrifice, and descent to the underworld." "Assembled in an A to Z format, this dictionary presents the stories of the revered deities, sacred places, key events and epics, and recurring themes and traditions that make up the fabric of Asian mythology. There are specific entries addressing the key mythologies of the regions we now call India, China, Tibet, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Cross references highlight the diversity, interconnectedness, and complex beauty of Asian myth."--BOOK JACKET.