George Joji Tanabe

Practically Religious

Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan

Praying for practical benefits (genze riyaku) is a common religious activity in Japan. Despite its widespread nature and the vast numbers of people wh...

Religions of Japan in Practice

Within the anthology's three broad categories, subdivisions address the topics of social values, clerical and lay precepts, gods, spirits, rituals of ...

Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Fantasy and Knowledge in Early Kamakura Buddhism

Myoe Shonin (1173-1232) sought to revitalize traditional Buddhism in Japan, emphasizing the value of the visions that could be achieved through medita...