George J. Tanabe, Jr.'s Books

Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawaii

An Illustrated Guide

By: George J. Tanabe,Willa Jane Tanabe

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Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawaii

An Illustrated Guide

By: George J. Tanabe,Willa Jane Tanabe

Upon entering a Japanese Buddhist temple in Hawai‘i, most people—whether first-time visitors or lifelong members—are overwhelmed by the elaborate and complex display of golden ornaments, intricately carved altar tables and incense burners, and images of venerable masters and bodhisattvas. These objects, as well as the architectural elements of the temple itself, have meanings that are often hidden in ancient symbolisms. This book, written by two local authorities on Japanese art and religion, provides a thorough yet accessible overview of Buddhism in Hawai‘i followed by a temple-by-temple guide to the remaining structures across the state. Introductory chapters cover the basic history, teachings, and practices of various denominations and the meanings of objects commonly found in temples. Taken together, they form a short primer on Buddhism in Japan and Hawai‘i. The heart of the book is a narrative description of the ninety temples still extant in Hawai‘i. Augmented by over 350 color photographs, each entry begins with historical background information and continues with descriptions of architecture, sanctuaries, statuary and ritual implements, columbariums, and grounds. Appended at the end is a chart listing each temple's denomination, membership number, and architectural type. While many Buddhist temples in Hawai‘i are active social and religious centers, a good number are in serious decline. In addition to being an introduction to Buddhism and a guide book, Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawai‘i is an indispensable historical record of what exists today and what may be gone tomorrow. It will appeal to temple members, pilgrims, residents and tourists interested in local cultural and historic sites, and historians of Buddhism in Hawai‘i.

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Page Count

258

Publisher

University of Hawaii Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0824837282

ISBN 13

9780824837280

Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Fantasy and Knowledge in Kamakura Buddhism

By: George J. Tanabe, Jr.

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Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Fantasy and Knowledge in Kamakura Buddhism

By: George J. Tanabe, Jr.

In the Kamakura period, Myoe Shonin (1173-1232) was a leader of Nara Buddhists who sought to revitalize traditional Buddhism in Japan. In his teaching, Myoe specially emphasized the value of the visions that could be achieved through meditation; and in his practice, he kept and occasionally illustrated a diary of his own visions and significant night dreams. The autograph copy of this remarkable document still exists, although some pages have been scattered among collectors. George J. Tanabe, Jr., here presents in English the most comprehensive compilation of the diary in any language. Moreover, his study of Myoe's life and teachings provides both a context within which the diary can be understood and a view of the often doctrinally contentious world of Kamakura Buddhism.

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313

Publisher

BRILL

Published Date

ISBN 10

1684172950

ISBN 13

9781684172955

Practically Religious

Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan

By: Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe

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Practically Religious

Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan

By: Ian Reader,George J. Tanabe

Praying for practical benefits (genze riyaku) is a common religious activity in Japan. Despite its widespread nature and the vast numbers of people who pray and purchase amulets and talismans for everything from traffic safety and education success to business prosperity and protection from disease, the practice has been virtually ignored in academic studies or relegated to the margins as a uh_product of superstition or an aberration from the true dynamics of religion. Basing their work on a fusion of textual, ethnographic, historical, and contemporary studies, the authors of this volume demonstrate the fallacy of such views, showing that, far from being marginal, the concepts and practices surrounding genze riyaku lie at the very heart of the Japanese religious world. They thrive not only as popular religious expression but are supported by the doctrinal structures of most Buddhist sects, are ordained in religious scriptures, and are promoted by monastic training centers, shrines, and temples. Benefits are both sought and bought, and the authors discuss the economic and commercial aspects of how and why institutions promote practical benefits. They draw attention to the dynamism and flexibility in the religious marketplace, where new products are offered in response to changing needs. Intertwined in these economic activities and motivations are the truth claims that underpin and justify the promotion and practice of benefits. The authors also examine the business of guidebooks, which combine travel information with religious advice, including humorous and distinctive forms of prayer for the protection against embarrassing physical problems and sexual diseases. Written in a direct and engaging style, Practically Religious will appeal to a wide range of readers and will be especially valuable to those interested in religion, anthropology, Buddhist studies, sociology, and Japanese studies.

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Page Count

318

Publisher

University of Hawaii Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

082486400X

ISBN 13

9780824864002

Religions of Japan in Practice

By: George Joji Tanabe,George J. Tanabe Jr.

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Religions of Japan in Practice

By: George Joji Tanabe,George J. Tanabe Jr.

Within the anthology's three broad categories, subdivisions address the topics of social values, clerical and lay precepts, gods, spirits, rituals of realization, faith, court and emperor, sectarian founders, wizards, and heroes, orthopraxis and orthodoxy, and special places. Dating from the eighth through the twentieth centuries, the documents are revealed to be open to various and evolving interpretations, their meanings dependent not only on how they are placed in context but also on how individual researchers read them. Each text is preceded by an introductory explanation of the text's essence, written by its translator. Instructors and students will find these explications useful starting points for their encounters with the varied worlds of practice within which the texts interact with readers and changing contexts.

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583

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0691057893

ISBN 13

9780691057897

Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Fantasy and Knowledge in Kamakura Buddhism

By: George J. Tanabe, Jr.

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Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Fantasy and Knowledge in Kamakura Buddhism

By: George J. Tanabe, Jr.

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Solve jigsaw puzzle

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Page Count

313

Publisher

BRILL

Published Date

ISBN 10

1684172950

ISBN 13

9781684172955

Book's by George J. Tanabe, Jr.

Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawaii

Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawaii

Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Practically Religious

Practically Religious

Religions of Japan in Practice

Religions of Japan in Practice

Myōe the Dreamkeeper

Myōe the Dreamkeeper

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