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 product of superstition or an aberration from the true dynamics of religion. Basing their work on a fusion of textual, ethnographic, ...
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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 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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Add this copy of Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common to cart. $7.07, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University of Hawaii Press.
Add this copy of Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common to cart. $10.00, good condition, Sold by Book Bear rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from West Brookfield, MA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University of Hawaii Press.
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Good to Very Good. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. 303 pp. Tightly bound. Spine not compromised. Text is free of markings. No ownership markings. NOTE: Top page corners just lightly bumped not affecting the text.
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Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 318 p. Contains: Illustrations. May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers.
Add this copy of Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common to cart. $18.00, like new condition, Sold by Banbury Road Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fountain Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University of Hawai'i Press.
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Fine. 320 p. Audience: College/higher education; Professional and scholarly. Clean, unread copy in near new condition. No marking or writing in the book. Covers are clean and show almost no wear.
Add this copy of Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common to cart. $18.00, like new condition, Sold by J. Hood, Booksellers, Inc. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Baldwin City, KS, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University of Hawaii Press.
Add this copy of Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common to cart. $32.00, very good condition, Sold by Jonathan Grobe Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Deep River, IA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Univ of Hawaii Pr.
