Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan - Softcover

Ian Reader; George J. Tanabe; George J. Tanabe Jr

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0824820908 ISBN 13: 9780824820909

Publisher: University of Hawaii Press, 1998

Synopsis

Praying for practical benefits is a common religious activity in Japan. Basing their work on a fusion of textual, ethnographic, historical and contemporary studies, the authors of this volume demonstrate that far from being marginal, the concepts and practices surrounding ""genze riyaku"" lie at the very heart of the Japanese religious world. The authors discuss the economic and commercial aspects of how and why institutions promote practical benefits, drawing attention to the dynamism and flexibility in the religious marketplace. The authors also examine the business of guidebooks, which combine travel information with religious advice, including forms of prayer for the protection against embarrassing physical problems and sexual diseases.

About this title

About the Author

Ian Reader is professor of religious studies at Lancaster University. He is the author of numerous books and articles on aspects of Japanese social and religious life.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0824820908
• ISBN 13: 9780824820909
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320