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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... Gods , Saints , and Wizards 140 Personalization and Purchase 143 Ninomiya's Pill and the Gathering of Gods and Buddhas 146 Intensifying Assimilation : The Impact of Meiji Disestablishment 155 The Seven Gods of Good Fortune 156 The Place ...
... gods in providing worldly benefits , and the roles of gods of sickness and good fortune . 13 While modern - day Japanese analyses of the influences of " religion " ( shūkyō ) discuss lev- els of faith and belief , they are also ...
... gods , ranging from peti- tions for protection and safety to petitions for wealth and entry into good schools . Is it not disingenuous , looking at these overt prayers , to assume that the " real " intention of the petitioners was peace ...
... gods and buddhas , provides the spiritual foundations for human life , releases us from its sufferings and pains , gives rise to a joyful life , and teaches us an awareness of the way toward re- specting the true nature of human beings ...
... gods and buddhas for benefits related to temporal power than would a simple artisan ; the artisan would be more likely to pray for developing his work skills or for his business to prosper . The requests were not always all that ...
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Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |