Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of JapanPraying for practical benefits (genze riyaku) is a common religious activity in Japan. Despite its widespread nature and the vast numbers of people who pray and purchase amulets and talismans for everything from traffic safety and education success to business prosperity and protection from disease, the practice has been virtually ignored in academic studies or relegated to the margins as a uh_product of superstition or an aberration from the true dynamics of religion. Basing their work on a fusion of textual, ethnographic, historical, and contemporary studies, the authors of this volume demonstrate the fallacy of such views, showing that, far from being marginal, the concepts and practices surrounding genze riyaku lie at the very heart of the Japanese religious world. They thrive not only as popular religious expression but are supported by the doctrinal structures of most Buddhist sects, are ordained in religious scriptures, and are promoted by monastic training centers, shrines, and temples. |
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... Amulets , and Obligations 192 Return and Renewal : The Cycle of Purchase and Gratitude 195 Leaving Messages : The Use of Votive Tablets 197 Pilgrimage and the Pursuit of Benefits 199 Social Organizations and the Pursuit of Benefits : Kō ...
... amulets and other lucky charms , visits to diviners , atti- tudes toward spirits , and the potential incidence of miracles.14 Since the terms ( and concepts ) of religion and shūkyō are imbued with multiple meanings and historical ...
... amulets for good for- tune and personal benefit at their temples , for example , may ( as many have done in conversation with the authors ) readily turn to a discussion of skillful means to explain why they do so . The concept also ...
... amulets , and affirmed in doctrinal terms in various religious organizations as well through textual traditions . It is , as we shall see , vigorously prosely- tized not just by the new religions but by established ones as well . And in ...
... amulet or some other tangible ob- ject ) of the grace of the buddhas has the effect , he stated , of enabling one to focus one's mind on the task at hand , such as studying for an examination or driving carefully . This recognition that ...
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Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |