MOURNING THE UNBORN DEAD: A Buddhist Ritual Come To America

Wilson, Jeff

ISBN 10: 0195371933 / ISBN 13: 9780195371932

Published by NY etc~. 2009. Oxford Univ. Press, 2009

About this Item

light grey hardcover 8vo. (octavo). dustwrapper in protective plastic book jacket cover. very fine cond. mint cond. looks new. like new. as new. binding square & tight. covers clean. edges clean. contents free of markings. dustwrapper in very fine cond. as new. not worn or torn or price clipped. nice clean copy. no library markings, store stamps, stickers, bookplates, no names, inking, underlining, remainder markings etc~. first edition. first printing (#1 in # line). 260p. b&w photo illustrations. appendix. notes. references. index. religion. buddhism. social science. history of japan. ~ Many Western visitors to Japan have been struck by the ceremonies for aborted fetuses, which are characterized by throngs of images of the bodhisattva jizo, usually dressed in red bibs or other baby garments, and each dedicated to an individual fetus. Abortion is common and accepted in Japan, and as a consequence, one of the frequently performed rituals in Japanese Buddhism is mizuko kuyo, a ceremony for aborted and miscarried fetuses. Over the past forty years, mizuko kuyo has gradually come to America, where it has been appropriated by non~Buddhists as well as Buddhist practitioners. In this book, Jeff Wilson examines how and why Americans of different backgrounds have brought knowledge and performance of this Japanese ceremony to the United States. Drawing on his own extensive fieldwork in Japan and the United States, as well as the literature in both Japanese and English, Wilson shows that the meaning and purpose of the ritual have changed greatly in the American context. In Japan, mizuko kuyo is performed to placate the potentially dangerous spirit of the angry fetus. In America, however, it has come to be seen as a way for the mother to mourn and experience solace for her loss. Many American women who learn about mizuko kuyo are struck by the lack of such a ceremony in their own culture and see it as satisfying a crucial need. Ceremonies are now performed even for losses that took place many years ago. At the same time, culture warriors on both sides of the abortion divide have appropriated mizuko kuyo as ammunition in their ongoing battles. Wilson's study not only contributes to the growing literature on American Buddhism, but sheds light on a range of significant issues in Buddhist studies, interreligious contact, womens studies, and even bioethics. This book provides indispensable insight into a unique and little~known, but growing, movement in American culture.

Seller Inventory # 3022502

Bibliographic Details

• Title: MOURNING THE UNBORN DEAD: A Buddhist Ritual Come To America
• Publisher: NY etc~. 2009. Oxford Univ. Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195371933
• ISBN 13: 9780195371932
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Seller catalogs:
  • history of japan
  • buddhism
  • religion

About this title

Synopsis

Many Western visitors to Japan have been struck by the numerous cemeteries for aborted fetuses, which are characterized by throngs of images of the Bodhisattva Jizo, usually dressed in red baby aprons or other baby garments, and each dedicated to an individual fetus. Abortion is common in Japan and as a consequence one of the frequently performed rituals in Japanese Buddhism is mizuko-kuyo, a ceremony for aborted and miscarried fetuses. Over the past forty years, mizuko-kuyo has gradually come to America, where it has been appropriated by non-Buddhists as well as Buddhist practitioners.

In this book, Jeff Wilson examines how and why Americans of different backgrounds have brought knowledge and performance of this Japanese ceremony to the United States. Drawing on his own extensive fieldwork in Japan and the U.S., as well as the literature in both Japanese and English, Wilson shows that the meaning and purpose of the ritual have changed greatly in the American context. In Japan, mizuko-kuyo is performed to placate the potentially dangerous spirit of the angry fetus. In America, however, it has come to be seen as a way for the mother to mourn and receive solace for her loss. Many American women who learn about mizuko-kuyo are struck by the lack of such a ceremony and see it as filling a very important need. Ceremonies are now performed even for losses that took place many years ago. Wilson's well-written study not only contributes to the growing literature on American Buddhism, but sheds light on a range of significant issues in Buddhist studies, interreligious contact, women's studies, and even bioethics.

About the Author

Jeff Wilson is Professor of Religious Studies, Renison College, University of Waterloo. He is also the founding chair of the Buddhism in the West program unit at the American Academy of Religion and a consulting editor for Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, the largest English-language Buddhist magazine.