Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture books

Shin buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of buddhism in japan. Kamakura buddhism is a modern scholarly term referring to a phase in the development of japanese buddhism coinciding with the kamakura period 118533. Pure land buddhism was the largest traditional religion in japan. Pure land buddhism is built on the belief that we will never have a world. Understanding a tradition of practice university of hawaii press 2019.

Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture by elisabetta porcu leiden boston 2008 introduction it was. Despite being one of the most influential forms of japanese buddhism, the pure land tradition, and notably its impact on the development of japanese cultural history, has often been overlooked outside japan. The sources of influences have variously been an engagement of buddhist communities and teachers with the new cultures and. Pure land buddhist teachings have played a major role in japanese. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture, by elisabetta porcu.

Payne vol 16 2015 buddhism and american cinema, edited by john whalenbridge and gary storhoff pdf. This led to an overreliance on japanese sources when it came to examining the history of chinese pure land. In this book, soho machida provides the first detailed, objective account in english of the life and thought of its founder, honenbo genku 131212, known as honen. Not only has it been neglected in modern descriptions of japan, but it also has been relatively ignored by buddhist. Not only has it been neglected in modern descriptions of japan, but it also has been relatively ignored by buddhist studies. As a young man, huiyuan practiced daoism, but felt the theories of immortality to be vague and unreliable, and unrepresentative of the ultimate truth. Modern buddhism, japanese leftists, and the utopian imagination pure land buddhist studies by melissa annemarie curley. Oct 02, 2002 pure land buddhism as a school of buddhist thinking began in india around the 2nd century bce. Several colleges and institutes in kyoto and tokyo are chiefly dedicated to the study of buddhist theology. The religious traditions of japan chapter 10 religion. Aug 27, 2016 the bulk of demythologizing pure land buddhism is a collection of essays by rijin yasuda 19001982, a shin buddhist thinker in the modernizing tradition of kiyozawa manshi 18631903.

It explores the two honganjis spread of shin buddhism in the united states as japanese. Pushed for a number, miura said that it would be about 0. Buddhism has had a major influence on the development of japanese society and remains an influential aspect of the culture to this day. Tong, also referred to as amidism in english, is a broad branch of mahayana buddhism and one of the most widely practiced traditions of buddhism in east asia. This book sketches the growth of christianity during the portuguese period 15111605, it. It was readily accepted by both the elite and ordinary populace because it confirmed the political and economic status quo, offered a welcoming reassurance to the mystery of the afterlife, and complemented existing shinto beliefs. Buddhism was formally introduced into japan in the sixth century. Expressing the pure land through art and architecturechi.

As zen buddhism continues to catch on in europe and the u. The term pure land is particular to east asian buddhism chinese. Bibliography in pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture by porcu. Understanding a tradition of practice is the first book in any western language to provide a comprehensive overview of chinese pure land buddhism. Approaching buddhism is a brand new englishlanguage volume released by the taipeibased pure land buddhism publishing co. It gives an extensive outline of the general objective of buddhism, while also.

Orientalism in the study of pure land buddhism is that 1 j6do shinsh0 true pure land buddhism, shin for short, has long been and continues to be an immensely important part of japanese culture, 2 but it has been routinely ignored, dismissed, or misinterpreted by a wide range of both western and japanese scholars 3 for. Japanese pure land buddhism s encounter with modernity. Seeking to broaden the appeal of buddhism among japan s younger generation, a buddhist priest at shoonji, a pure land temple in fukui city, central japan, has begun offering an alternative experience to the traditional memorial ceremony, adding the pulsing energy of techno music and hypnotic, kaleidoscopic light visuals to the buddhist experience. The underlying similarities between zen and pure land buddhism in japan simon desmarais march 2012 even though zen and pure land buddhism are usually understood to be quite different, they are actually part of the same tradition of buddhism, mahayana, and as such have an underlying similarity. Please be mindful of what books you add and make sure they are of the topic of this list. Introduction in pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture. Mar 31, 2020 most of the people who do come to tera cafe to meet for a meal or a drink arent thinking about buddhism at all, says shokyo miura, one of the head priests at the cafe, which is an outreach project of the jodo shinshu true pure land, or shin buddhist temple, shingyoji. Seeking to broaden the appeal of buddhism among japans younger generation, a buddhist priest at shoonji, a pure land temple in fukui city, central japan, has begun offering an alternative experience to the traditional memorial ceremony, adding the pulsing energy of techno music and hypnotic, kaleidoscopic light visuals to the buddhist experience.

Kiyozawa focused on the synthesis of shin buddhism and western thought and soga on the. Taking into account recent scholarship on orientalism and occidentalism, this book, written from the perspective of the study of religions, provides an analysis of the impact that the pure land tradition, in particular shin buddhism, has exerted on mainstream forms of artistic expression especially creative arts, literature and the tea. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture series. It had an enormous impact on japanese culture and was among the first forms of buddhism encountered by western culture. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture ebook, 2008. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture request pdf. The pure land teaching was transmitted to japan by monks of the tendai school but by the 12thth century had separated as a distinct sect, mainly through the efforts of the priest honen, founder of the japanese pure land sect. The term modernity commonly indicates the cultural principles stemming from the european enlightenment that became dominant globally in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including such ideals as reason, empirical science, individualism, freedom, and so on. Buddhism in ancient japan ancient history encyclopedia. David mcmahan states that modernism in buddhism is similar to those found in other religions. Transformation art is based around the contemplation sutra and the story of queen vaidehis visualization of amitabhas pure land under the historical buddha shakyamunis tutelage.

Japanese pure land philosophy stanford encyclopedia of. Jones, associate professor and director of the religion and culture graduate program in the school of theology and religious studies at the catholic university of america. Transformation art has antecedents in the jiang jing sutra oratory and guan xiang visualization literature produced for ritual participation, as noted in an informative essay by wu hung wu 1992, 556. Pure land buddhism download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. This article briefly introduces pure land buddhism from medieval china and japan to the modern era. The term pure land buddhism is used to describe both the pure land soteriology of mahayana buddhism, which may be better understood as pure land traditions or pure land teachings, and the separate pure land sects that developed in japan from the work of honen. The same chant in japanese, called the nembutsu, is namu amida butsu. The reception of buddhism among the japanese people is partially due to the ease of integrating buddhism with the preexisting culture shaped by the indigenous religion of shinto. Yasuda rijin and the shin buddhist tradition paul b. Dualbelonging and pure land buddhism caroline brazier book chapter for. Modern buddhism, japanese leftists, and the utopian imagination by melissa annemarie curley pure land buddhist studies. Elisabetta porcu despite being one of the most influential forms of japanese buddhism, the pure land tradition, and notably its impact on the development of japanese cultural history, has often been overlooked. This book sketches the growth of christianity during the portuguese period 15111605, it presents a fair account of developments under the dutch colonial administration 1605. Shin buddhism is also called jodo shinshu, which means true teaching of pure land buddhism.

Buddhism in japan, divided into principal sects, maintains around 75,000 temples 86,586 in 2000, 85,994 in 2006 with over 100,000 priests. Pure land buddhism shinran s devotional path to enlightenment. As of 2008, approximately 34% of the japanese identify as buddhists and the number has been growing since the 1980s, in terms of membership in organized religion. Click download or read online button to get collected writings on shin buddhism book now. In shin buddhism, taitetsu unno explains the philosophy anc practices of pure land buddhism, which dates back to the sixth century c. Japanese pure land buddhisms encounter with modernity. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture brill. Whereas the life and work of female missionaries have been fruitfully reflected upon, male gender identity has often been understood as an unchanging category.

Pure land buddhism as a school of buddhist thinking began in india around the 2nd century bce. Pure land buddhist practices were prominent in japan from at least the seventh century but took a critical turn in the twelfth century. Tibetan buddhism, for example, shouldnt be added to this list. Even though pure land buddhism was born in china and currently constitutes the dominant form of buddhist practice there, it has previously received very little attention from western scholars. The underlying similarities between zen and pure land.

Pure land buddhism in the tradition of chanoyu a connection between the honganjiha and chanoyu. With her analysis of the role of pure land thought in the work of three prominent twentiethcentury japanese leftists, melissa annemarie curley provides us with a rich, insightful, and provocative book detailing the ongoing salience of buddhist ideas for japanese intellectuals. His many books in english include an introduction to zen buddhism, essays in zen buddhism, zen and japanese culture, mysticism. His was a life so extraordinary, its hard to believe but its all true. Information about the openaccess article pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture, by elisabetta porcu. Most japanese people observe rites of the native shinto religion and those of buddhism, and even some of christianity. Buddhism in japan has been practiced since its official introduction in 552 ce according to the nihon shoki from baekje, korea, by buddhist monks. In chinese, this chant is namu amito fo hail, amida buddha. Download pdf westernpurelandbuddhism free online new. Jodo shinshu true pure land school, also known as shin or shinshu buddhism, is a branch of pure land buddhism which was founded in japan by the monk shinran 11731262 and organized by rennyo 141499. The tendai school rose to prominence during the heian period 7941185, gradually eclipsing the powerful yogacara school hossoshu and competing with the upcoming shingon buddhism to become the most influential at the imperial. The pure land sect of japanese buddhism is one of the strongest buddhist sects in japan, with three and a half million followers.

Original enlightenment thought hongaku shiso dominated buddhist intellectual circles throughout japan s medieval period. Taking into account recent scholarship on orientalism and occidentalism, this book, written from the perspective of the study of religions, provides an analysis of the impact that the pure land tradition, in particular shin buddhism, has exerted on mainstream forms of artistic expression especially creative arts, literature and the tea ceremony in modern and contemporary japan. Demythologizing pure land buddhism the japan times. Compiled, translated, and edited by a team of lay pure land buddhists, it, does well in balancing the potential tensions i have described. Request pdf pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture focusing on one of the most influential religious traditions in japan, pure land buddhism, this book offers a survey of its impact on. Even though pure land buddhism was born in china and currently constitutes the dominant form of buddhist practice there, it has previously received very little attention. Richard jaffes profile, publications, research topics, and coauthors. Modern buddhism, japanese leftists, and the utopian imagination, by melissa annemarie curley february 2017 tracing the itinerant path. It was founded by the former tendai japanese monk shinran. Creating a shin buddhist theology in a religiously plural world.

Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture, by elisabetta. In the late nineteenth century, some buddhist thinkers sought to reinterpret the pure land in ways that would allow it speak to modern japan. Modern buddhism, japanese leftists, and the utopian imagination pure land buddhist studies by melissa annemarie curley and dr. Buddhist modernism also referred to as modern buddhism, modernist buddhism and neo buddhism are new movements based on modern era reinterpretations of buddhism. Payne, institute of buddhist studies, berkeley, california, japanese religions 35.

Dobbins is fairchild professor of religion and east asian studies at oberlin college and the author of letters of the nun eshinni. Instead, he turned to buddhism and became a monk learning under daoan chinese. Pure land buddhist studies publishes scholarly works on all aspects of the pure. Its endorsement by the aristocracy contributed to its eventual acceptance throughout japan. Review jan van bragt 2001 japanese journal of religious studies 28 12.

Dualbelonging and pure land buddhism tariki books and papers. Sincere and focused chanting becomes a kind of meditation that helps the pure land buddhist visualize amitabha buddha. The pure land teachings first became prominent in china with the founding of donglin temple at mount lu chinese. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture numen book series elisabetta porcu on.

Buddhism, in modern japanese culture, her book also dem onstrates the. Modern buddhism, japanese leftists, and the utopian imagination pure land buddhist studies kindle edition by melissa annemarie curley author format. Pacifism and cultural identity in japans new religions. Japanese priest serves up pure land buddhism with techno. Honen believed that most men were, like himself, incapable of obtaining buddhahood on this earth through their own efforts such as learning, good deeds, or. Enlightenment, this discourse claims, is neither a goal to be achieved nor a potential to be realized but the true status of all things. Pure land buddhism and japanese and chinese americans.

For close to a thousand years amidas pure land, a paradise of perfect ease and equality, was the most powerful image of shared happiness circulating in the japanese imagination. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture numen book. Journal of shin buddhism, links to books and articles. It is one of the largest schools of buddhism, and was founded by shinran 11731263. The development of the pure land doctrine in buddhism 2. Japanese pure land buddhism bibliography philpapers. This type of blissful place is labeled a pure land in the east asian tradition, and so popular is amitabhas realm that it is frequently named the pure land. Pure land buddhism focuses on the buddha known as amitabha infinite light or amitayus infinite life, who resides in a wonderful place called sukhavati realm of bliss. Original enlightenment and the transformation of medieval. Pure land buddhist studies news from university of hawaii. In the context of pure land practice, it generally refers to the repetition of the name of amitabha. However, in terms of practice, 75% practice some form of. Tendai, tendaishu is a mahayana buddhist school established in japan in the year 806 by the monk named saicho, posthumously known as dengyo daishi.

Over the last thirty years, issues of gender have been creatively explored within the field of mission studies. Modern buddhism, japanese leftists, and the utopian imagination. Modern buddhism, japanese leftists, and the utopian imagination pure land buddhist studies melissa annemarie curley, dr. The term also refers to several new buddhist movements that appeared during that time, specifically, pure land, zen, and nichiren. Jodo shinshu was founded somewhere around the year 1210 by shinran, a respected follower of the founder of pure land buddhism jodo shu honen despite the deep respect he showed his master, shiran came to different conclusions than him through his own studies of texts like the three pure land sutras and the nirvana sutra. The four strands of buddhism in japan pure land, nichiren, shingon, and zen buddhists together count about 45 million adherents in modern japan, a number that had been growing steadily for decades along with population. Jones has laid a strong foundation for rectifying this imbalance in his newest book chinese pure land buddhism. Sep 12, 2018 there is a rich pluralism of japanese pure land thought and practice, from the seminal work of the founding master honen to the modern work of scholarpractitioners of the higashi honganji branch of shin buddhism.

In modern times, japans popular schools of buddhism are pure land buddhism, nichiren buddhism, shingon buddhism and zen. It spread to china where there was a strong cult of. Jun 19, 2017 buddhism was introduced to ancient japan via korea in the 6th century ce with various sects following in subsequent centuries via china. It is a lay movement with no monks or monasteries and is based on simple but absolute devotion to amida. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. A pure land is the celestial realm or pure abode of a buddha or bodhisattva in mahayana buddhism. A study of the evolution and impact of her cult on the japanese warrior the social dimension of shin buddhism. He will be speaking with us about his new book chinese pure land buddhism. Buddhism has had a major influence on the development of japanese society and remains an influential aspect of the culture to this day buddhism is the religion in japan with most adherents, with 69.

While the influence of the zen tradition on japanese thought and culture is widely. It spread to china where there was a strong cult of amitabha by the 2nd century ce, and then spread. There is a rich pluralism of japanese pure land thought and practice, from the seminal work of the founding master honen to the modern work of scholarpractitioners of the higashi honganji branch of shin buddhism. Pdf pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture, leiden. Elisabetta porcu vol 16 2015 pure land or pure mind locus of awakening and american popular religious culture. While zen buddhism flourished in remote monasteries, the pure land tradition was adopted by the common people. Alan spence brilliantly dramatizes glovers rollercoaster life in the pure land.

Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture the buddhist goddess marishiten. Click download or read online button to get pure land buddhism book now. In the most advanced stage of practice, the follower contemplates amitabha as not separate from his own being. Pure land buddhism in modern japanese culture by elisabetta porcu. Understanding a tradition of practice, just published in the pure land buddhist studies series with university of. Collected writings on shin buddhism download ebook pdf. The various traditions that focus on pure lands have been given the nomenclature pure land.