Publication Date
Fall 11-1-2012
Description
In the early decades of the twentieth century, as Japanese society became engulfed in war and increasing nationalism, the majority of Buddhist leaders and institutions capitulated to the status quo. One notable exception to this trend, however, was the Shinkō Bukkyō Seinen Dōmei (Youth League for Revitalizing Buddhism), founded on 5 April 1931. Led by Nichiren Buddhist layman Seno’o Girō and made up of young social activists who were critical of capitalism, internationalist in outlook, and committed to a pan-sectarian and humanist form of Buddhism that would work for social justice and world peace, the league’s motto was “carry the Buddha on your backs and go out into the streets and villages.” This article analyzes the views of the Youth League for Revitalizing Buddhism as found in the religious writings of Seno’o Girō to situate the movement in its social and philosophical context, and to raise the question of the prospects of “radical Buddhism” in twenty-first century Japan and elsewhere.
Journal
Japanese Journal of Religious Studies
Volume
39
Issue
2
First Page
333
Last Page
351
Department
Comparative Humanities
Link to Published Version
http://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/nfile/4207
Recommended Citation
Shields, James. "A Blueprint for Buddhist Revolution: The Radical Buddhism of Seno’o Girō (1889–1961) and the Youth League for Revitalizing Buddhism." Japanese Journal of Religious Studies (2012) : 333-351.
Included in
Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, History of Religions of Eastern Origins Commons, Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons, Other Religion Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons