Studies in Japanese Religions: Issues in Scholarship

This seminar provides an intensive introduction to Japanese Religions past and present and examine key issues in scholarship. It is designed for those planning to take general exams, teach, or simply acquire a background in this field. Topics may include interactions of Buddhism with local religious culture; the emergence of Shinto; lay and monastic Buddhist practice; doctrinal issues; modern transformations of Buddhism; and religion-state relations. Readings are chiefly in English, supplemented by Japanese for those with sufficient language skills. Some topics may be chosen to accommodate participant research interests.