Japanese Buddhism

An exploration of key ideas and debates in the study of Japanese Buddhism. Influential paradigms of medieval Japanese Buddhism, including “original enlightenment,” “transfer of merit,” and “harmonization of gods and buddhas,” will be brought into conversation with aspects of Japanese religious life in premodern and modern contexts, such as healing; care of the dead; bodily self-denial; and ritual uses of language. Materials include primary texts in English translation, modern secondary interpretations, and related literary and visual expressions.