Rude awakenings
Book Description
This thought-provoking examination reveals how spiritual traditions can become entangled with political forces in ways that challenge our assumptions about religious neutrality. Through the lens of Japanese Buddhism and philosophy during the Pacific War era, this collection exposes the complex relationship between contemplative practice and national identity.
Fifteen scholars from Japan and the West investigate how Zen Buddhism and the influential Kyoto school of philosophy intersected with wartime nationalism. Rather than existing in separate spheres, these spiritual and intellectual traditions became deeply connected to the political currents of their time. The contributors examine the actions and writings of prominent Buddhist thinkers and philosophers, including Nishida Kitaro, exploring how their ideas both shaped and were shaped by the nationalist fervor surrounding them.
This scholarly investigation offers three distinct perspectives: the role of Zen practice in wartime Japan, the political dimensions of Kyoto school philosophy, and the broader questions of how spiritual intellectuals navigate their responsibilities during periods of national crisis. The book presents a nuanced exploration of how religious and philosophical traditions respond to political pressures, revealing the human complexities behind spiritual movements.
For readers interested in understanding how contemplative traditions interact with worldly concerns, this work provides valuable insights into the ongoing challenge of maintaining spiritual integrity while engaging with the political realities of one's time and place.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~11 hours)
📄 Length: 381 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Nationalism--japan
- ✓ Practice Zen Buddhist meditation
- ✓ Explore Nationalism, japan
- ✓ Explore Nationalism
- ✓ Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
- ✓ Explore 181/.12
- ✓ Explore Philosophy, japanese
- ✓ Explore Religion--philosophy
