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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... the acquisition of amulets and talismans , and the seeking , through petitioning of deities , of worldly benefits . We treat religion as a mat- explain the king's lack of a higher understanding and thereby Introduction 5.
... talismans and amulets , and affirmed in doctrinal terms in various religious organizations as well through textual traditions . It is , as we shall see , vigorously prosely- tized not just by the new religions but by established ones as ...
... talismans for good luck . On one level these objects can be seen as superficial , but they represent at the same time an attempt to address a moral problem that may not be as serious as that of evil but is bedeviling nonetheless ...
... talismans , bumper stickers , trinkets , food , and more are part of the currency used to purchase benefits . Amulets alone can be found as pieces of paper , carvings , brocade , bells , pen- cils , dried reeds , porcelain , and a wide ...
... talismans that demonstrate the underlying humor and themes of entertainment that pervade the topic . In Chapters 6 and 7 we also examine the ques- tion of reputation - how certain places have acquired reputations for particular benefits ...
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Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |