Japanese Religions: Buddhas, Gods, and Monsters

Catalog description

Buddhas, deities, and demons inhabit daily life in contemporary Japan, but many Japanese people insist that they are not religious. This course examines how 'religion' itself is understood in Japan, as well as the various strands of Japanese religious life from prehistoric times until the present. We will explore traditions including Shinto and kami (deity) worship, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, and the New Religions; and investigate the ethical, social, and political dimensions of these traditions.