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 53
... Genze riyaku in Japanese Religion A Common Religion 1 Benefits in the Religious System : Settings and Dynamics Comprehensive Responses : Types and Extent 13 14 23 32 37 of Practical Benefits 45 The Social Geography of Benefits ...
... genze riyaku has also been translated as " this - worldly material benefits , " but this term can have a derogatory connotation , as if the only benefits sought in the new religions are material.3 Although genze riyaku may cover any ...
... genze riyaku in particu- lar , the Buddhist scholar Kikumura Norihiko argues that the term originally referred to spiritual benefits but Japanese folk beliefs cor- rupted the idea to include material pleasures.7 The Nichiren scholar ...
... Genze riyaku in Japanese Religion As the preceding comments illustrate , the promise and pursuit of this - worldly benefits are not limited to the new religions . Thus critiques accusing new religions of being focused on this - worldly ...
... genze riyaku in Japa- nese religion , we see genze riyaku both as a descriptive term , referring to a particular phenomenon and practice , and as a means through which , by examining the various elements that are associated with it , we ...
Other editions - View all
Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |