Religion in Contemporary JapanWhat role does religion play in contemporary Japanese society and in the lives of Japanese people today? This text examines the major areas in which the Japanese participate in religious events, the role of religion in the social system and the underlying views within the Japanese religious world. Through a series of case studies of religion in action - at crowded temples and festivals, in austere Zen meditation halls, at home and at work, at dramatic fire rituals - it illustrates the immense variety, energy and colour inherent in Japanese religion. It also discusses the continued relevance and responses of religion in a rapidly modernizing and changing society. |
Contents
Unifying Traditions Cosmological | 23 |
Community Festivals | 55 |
Zen Death and | 77 |
Individuals Ascetics and the Expression | 107 |
Temples and Shrines | 134 |
Actions Amulets and the Expression | 168 |
Spirits Satellites and a UserFriendly | 194 |
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action Agonshū amulets ancestors ascetic austerities become Buddhas Buddhist sect Buddhist temple butsudan cent century chanting Chapter concerned contemporary Japan continuing cultural dead death deity enlightenment enshrined especially example expressed festivals figures focus fuda Fudō furusato hatsumōde household important Inari individual involved Izanagi Japanese religious world Japanese society kami kami and Buddhas kamidana Kannon Kiriyama Kōbō Daishi Kyoto large numbers living Lotus Sūtra Mahikari major matsuri means meditation memorial services miracles modern mountain Nakayamadera Narita-san nature o-bon o-mamori offerings one's organisations Osaka performed pilgrims popular practice pray prayers priests problems relationship religion in Japan religious activities religious centres rites rituals riyaku role sense Shikoku Shikoku pilgrimage Shinto shrines shrines and temples Shugendō social Sōka Gakkai Sōtō Sōtō Zen soul spiritual statues survey symbolically talismans temples and shrines Tenrikyō themes Tokyo transform various venerated visitors worship yamabushi Zen temple