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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... Guidebooks to Practical Benefits 234 A Nineteenth - Century Example 235 Contemporary Guidebooks 239 Guidebooks and the Reporting of Miracles 242 Unusual Benefits : The Example of the Nippon zenkoku goriyaku gaido 245 Common Religion in ...
... guidebooks that furnish information on shrines and temples that have developed reputations for providing genze riyaku . In essence , the chapter presents a mini - guide to some of the many temples and shrines in Japan that deal with ...
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Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |