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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... Buddhas 146 Intensifying Assimilation : The Impact of Meiji Disestablishment 155 The Seven Gods of Good Fortune 156 The Place of the Gods 163 The Benefits of a Saint : Kōbō Daishi 166 Wizards The Diverse Gathering 170 176 5 The Dynamics ...
... Buddha using various tricks to get his message across are widely cited cases of skill- ful means in action . Likewise ... buddhas , to grant prac- tical benefits , those who promote the creed of Buddhism are effec- tively making belief ...
... buddhas and in the efficacy and be- nevolence of their response . The peace of mind that results from hav- ing prayed and acquired a sign ( an amulet or some other tangible ob- ject ) of the grace of the buddhas has the effect , he ...
... buddha , or indeed any deity , one is expressing some form of faith , at the very least in the abil- ity of the deity ... buddhas and was thus the precursor of genze riyaku , it might be considered that the priest was in effect stating ...
... Buddha of Healing , Yakushi , in the sea , enshrined it in his home , and prayed earnestly to it . His faith was rewarded with a number of wonderful events , the most dramatic being the restoration of his mother's sight.49 The temple ...
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Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |