The Culture of Secrecy in Japanese Religion

The Culture of Secrecy in Japanese Religion

Role

Co-Editors: Bernhard Scheid and Mark Teeuwan

Contributing author: Ronald M. Davidson

Document Type

Article

Description/Summary

Ronald M. Davidson is a contributing author, "The Problem of Secrecy in Indian Tantric Buddhism", pp. 60-77.

The Japanese Middle Ages were a period when forms of secrecy dominated religious practice. This fascinating collection traces out the secret characteristics and practices in Japanese religion, as well as analyzing the decline of religious esotericism in Japan. The essays in this impressive work refer to Esoteric Buddhism as the core of Japan’s "culture of secrecy". Esoteric Buddhism developed in almost all Buddhist countries of Asia, but it was of particular importance in Japan where its impact went far beyond the borders of Buddhism, also affecting Shinto as well as non-religious forms of discourse. The contributors focus on the impact of Esoteric Buddhism on Japanese culture, and also include comparative chapters on India and China. Whilst concentrating on the Japanese medieval period, this book will give readers familiar with present day Japan, many explanations for the still visible remnants of Japan’s medieval culture of secrecy.

ISBN

9780415546898

Publication Date

2006

Publication Information

Davidson, Ronald M., "The Problem of Secrecy in Indian Tantric Buddhism," in Bernhard Scheid and Mark Teeuwan, eds. The Culture of Secrecy in Japanese Religion, 60-77. New York: RoutledgeCurzon, 2006.

Comments

Copyright 2006 RoutledgeCurzon

The Culture of Secrecy in Japanese Religion

@ the DiMenna-Nyselius Library

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