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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 34
... Divine Blessings : The Flower Garland Sutra Benefits as Windfall : Fujii Masao Benefits as Objectives : Iijima Yoshiharu Benefits as Concession and Mystery : Öchō Enichi Benefits as Folk Syncretism : Tsuruoka Shizuo F8 71 73 77 80 82 84 ...
... divine support : they do not produce different types of religion . Despite the differing re- quests of the rich and poor , the elite and the common , the pursuit of benefits unites all . The elite pray for benefits just as do the ordi ...
... divine wrath . Kankiten thus required special veneration and offerings , as well as pledges of faith and commitment , in order to harness its powers for the benefit of the petitioner.3 Kankiten is known by a variety of other names as 37.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Sorry, this page's content is restricted.
Other editions - View all
Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |