Modernity; Pure Land; Jōdo Shinshū; Temple wives; Karma; Nishi Honganji; Japanese Buddhism
摘要
In this paper I examine how the Japanese True Pure Land Buddhist school (Jōdo Shinshū or Shin Buddhism) has attempted to come to terms with the position of temple wife (bōmori), which has historically been a local position based solely on marriage ties to the resident priest of a temple, in a way that accommodates the modern principles of individual rights and freedom of religion. The central Jōdo Shinshū institutions of the Ōtani-ha and Honganji-ha have responded to demands to recognize the autonomous choice of temple wives to undertake a life of service to the parish temple by formulating an initiation ceremony meant to encourage the temple wife’s self-awareness as a religious professional. Utilizing ethnographic fieldwork conducted from 2009 to 2013, I survey the various sites where Buddhism is lived and experimented in contemporary Japan. I highlight the interplay between local and central sources of religious meaning and authenticity.
目次
Family temples, temple wives and the problem of individual rights 2 Ritual innovation at Nishi Honganji 3 Family and the karmic ties that bind temple wives 5 Identity and authenticity between the center and the place of practice (genba) 8 Conclusion 11 Endnotes 12 References 13
