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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... ritual, practice, and custom that are often visible apart from scriptural sources) and theological studies on the other with their focus on issues of creed, text, and doctrine. The latter, especially when related to the missionizing ...
... ritual, folk customs, and even etiquette. A brief glance at contemporary Japanese scholarship shows this well: in ... rituals, spirit possession, festivals, asceticism, taboos, and the relationship of Buddhism with folk customs ...
... ritual, action, practice, and belonging. It is as much a matter of social and cultural influences and behavioral patterns located in day-to-day concerns and the ordinary processes of life—as concerned with ameliorating problems in the ...
... ritual, and custom.20 The vast majority may not assert religious belief but—a point demonstrated in numerous studies and surveys of behavior in religious contexts—that same majority participates in religious activities and rituals.21 ...
... ritual prayer, or make a personal supplication to the gods or buddhas. There is no need, and no demand, for special affiliation or specific denominational involvement before one can approach a deity or utilize a temple for such services ...
Contents
1 | |
Settings and Dynamics | 37 |
2 Scripture and Benefits | 71 |
Morality Belief and Prayer | 107 |
Gods Saints and Wizards | 140 |
5 The Dynamics of Practice | 178 |
The Marketing of Efficacy and Truth | 206 |
7 Guidebooks to Practical Benefits | 234 |
8 Conclusions | 256 |
Notes | 263 |
Bibliography | 285 |
Index | 297 |
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Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe No preview available - 1998 |