Practice of Concern, The
ritual, well-being, and aging in rural Japan
John W. Traphagan
229 pages | ~6 hrs
Practice of Concern, The
ritual, well-being, and aging in rural Japan
By John W. Traphagan
In the quiet temples and homes of northern Japan, older adults engage in profound spiritual practices that reveal universal truths about human connection and care. Through intimate ethnographic observation spanning more than three years, this thoughtful exploration unveils how religious ritual becomes a powerful vehicle for expressing deep concern for others.
The author takes readers into both private devotional moments and public ceremonial gatherings, showing how Japanese elders weave together personal faith and community responsibility through their spiritual practices. These rituals serve as more than individual acts of worship, they become meaningful expressions of care that extend outward in concentric circles, from family members to neighbors, from local community to the broader nation.
What emerges is a compelling portrait of how aging individuals use religious practice to maintain vital connections with the world around them. Rather than withdrawing from life, these practitioners demonstrate how spiritual engagement can deepen one's sense of responsibility and compassion for others. Their approach to ritual reveals concern itself as a sacred act, transforming everyday worries about loved ones into purposeful spiritual practice.
For readers interested in the intersection of spirituality, aging, and community care, this work offers valuable insights into how religious practice can serve as both personal sustenance and social bridge, creating meaning through the simple yet profound act of caring for others.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Older people
- ✓ Explore Aging
- ✓ Understand psychological principles
- ✓ Explore Aged
- ✓ Explore Social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Japan, social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Ceremonial Behavior
- ✓ Explore Older people, japan
Topics
Details
- Published
- 2004
- Publisher
- Carolina Academic Press
- ISBN-10
- 089089406X
- Pages
- 229
- Language
- EN
- LC Classification
- HQ
