Japan

Indian BuddhismThe Life of Buddha (Sakyamuni) as Seen in Local Photographs

(1) The birth of Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini, Nepal!

Starting with this article, I will give a brief account of the life of Gautama Buddha (Sakyamuni Buddha) with local photographs throughout the 25-part series. I traveled to the Buddhist sites in India from February to March 2024. In this series of articles, I will explain the life of Gautama Buddha with historical background while weaving together my unique local experiences.
Buddhist Thought 8Chinese Buddhism, Thought and History

Buddhist Thought 8: Anxiety and Joyousness in the Pure Land of China" - A recommended reference book that also provides information on the thought and life of Cloudyran, Dogen, and Zenko, as well as the historical background of their lives!

In this book, you can learn not only about the thought of Shinran, Dogen, and Zhenguang, but also their lives and historical backgrounds. It is clear that Buddhism was a result of the political situation in China at that time. It was very interesting to see how Chinese Pure Land Buddhism developed in the midst of repeated warfare and suppression of Buddhism, and how, during Zendo's time, Zendo's Pure Land Buddhism gained support in the prosperous downtown area of the international city of Chang'an. It is interesting to see the connection between great historical figures and their historical backgrounds. As a Jodo Shinshu monk, I tend to spend a lot of time with Shinran and Honen, but I feel that tracing back to their origins is also very significant. It is only by tracing back to the source that we can see Shinran's characteristics and uniqueness.

In this sense, this book is a very valuable work for studying Shinran.
Buddhist Thought 5Japanese Buddhism and its History

Buddhist Thought 5: Absolute Truth - A recommended commentary to learn about the thought of the Lotus Sutra and the Tendai currents in China and Japan!

When we Japanese think of Tendai, we usually think of the Tendai Sect founded by Saicho of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei. The teachings of the Lotus Sutra were transmitted from India to Japan via China.

This book is a recommended work to learn about the history and thought content of the "Lotus Sutra".

In addition, this book also discusses the historical background of the period, so it is fascinating to look at Tendai Buddhism from a larger perspective. I also believe that it is very important to study Tendai Buddhism and the Lotus Sutra in order to understand the foundation of Japanese Buddhism. This book is an excellent introduction to the Tendai sect and the Lotus Sutra. It is very interesting.
Mahayana Buddhism Sasaki KanBuddhism in India

Kan Sasaki, "Mahayana Buddhism: Where is Buddha's Teaching Headed?" - An important book for considering Japanese Buddhism in the first place!

I knew the term Mahayana Buddhism, and I knew that Japan was a Mahayana Buddhist country, but I had no idea what this Mahayana Buddhism was all about. But I had no idea what this Mahayana Buddhism was all about.
This is not only true for general readers, but in fact, many monks themselves may feel the same way.
As monks, we too learn the basics of Buddhism, but we tend to focus on studying the doctrines of our own sect.
Of course, I have learned what Mahayana Buddhism is and the characteristics of the major Japanese sects, but to be honest, it is difficult to go into the details of the process of its formation, scriptures, and doctrines.
In this aspect, this book is a very significant commentary for monks of all sects.
Yukio Mishima and BuddhismYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

The connection between Yukio Mishima and Buddhism: Where did Mishima learn Buddhism, including the philosophy of Yusama in "The Sea of Fertility"?

We do not know what Mishima actually read when he studied Buddhism, but we know from the article in the complete works referred to here that he read a number of introductory books and arrived at Yudhistra, and that he was taught by Dr. Masu Yamaguchi of Otani University.

I am now deeply aware that I would like to relearn the Yoboku-kyo again in order to better appreciate "The Sea of Fertility," which became Mishima's lifework. This will be an important point in understanding Mishima's thoughts in his later years.
Yukio Mishima Impressions of IndiaYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima's "Impressions of India" - What did Mishima see and think during his trip to India in his later years? Strong influence on "The Sea of Fertility!

Yukio Mishima spent 15 days in India in the fall of 1967. The route was a forced march around the vast country of India.

In his later years, Mishima had a fairly strong interest in India. This is not an age when anything can be easily searched on the Internet. You cannot learn much about Hinduism without actively gathering information yourself. This strong interest in India and Buddhism seems to have greatly influenced Mishima's literature, especially "The Sea of Fertility.

There is no doubt that this interview article is an important source of information about Mishima's views on India.
Introduction to Behavioral ScienceYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima, "Introduction to Behavioral Studies" - Mishima himself wrote about his own self-determination! Recommended commentaries for understanding Mishima's suicide

Until Mishima's suicide on November 25, 1970, almost no one had expected him to make his decision. Yes, many people had noticed something vaguely unusual about Mishima, but they did not think that he would go to such lengths.

But after his suicide, time after time, it turned out exactly as Mishima had predicted in this book. In "An Introduction to Behavioral Science," Mishima's thoughts are expressed directly. I am going to do it. I will take action. I am not just a man of my word.
Yukio Mishima and the Tatenokai IncidentYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Masayasu Hosaka, "Yukio Mishima and the Tatenokai Incident" - Recommended reference book to learn about the detailed process leading up to his suicide at the Self Defense Forces Ichigaya Camp in 1970.

On November 25, 1970, Yukio Mishima and four members of the Tatenokai holed up in the Ichigaya Camp of the Self-Defense Forces, and after making speeches from the balcony urging the uprising against the Self-Defense Forces, both Mishima and Masakatsu Morita committed seppuku (ritual suicide). This book is the best introduction to the background and circumstances of this shocking incident.

The book provides a fairly detailed look at the process that led to Mishima's suicide. I found the explanation of the formation of the Tatenokai, its progress, and Mishima's connection to the Self-Defense Forces to be particularly interesting.

I can't introduce its contents here, but I was also surprised by the number of "eh! I can't tell you about the contents of the book here, but I can tell you that I was surprised by many things that came out. I think my view of Mishima changed before and after reading this book.
After the Banquet Yukio MishimaYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima's "After the Banquet" Synopsis and Impressions - Highly acclaimed overseas! A problematic work that led to a privacy lawsuit

While Mishima tried to depict "the times" in "Kagamiko's House," his current work, "After the Banquet," was written based on the actual election of Hachiro Arita, a politician, as governor of Tokyo.

However, after the publication of this novel, Mishima was sued by Mr. Arita. This became the first privacy trial in Japan, and Mishima suffered a psychological shock following the house of "Kagamiko's House.

However, as Mr. Tokuoka and Donald Keene state, the work itself is undoubtedly very good. This work seems to be highly appreciated overseas as well.
Kagamiko's HouseYukio Mishima and Japanese Literature

Yukio Mishima's "Kagamiko's House" Synopsis and Impressions - Mishima's Failure? Considering his turning point feature film.

This work, "Kagamiko's House" is a full-length novel published in 1959. Yukio Mishima won the Shinchosha Literary Award in 1954 for "Shiosai" and the Yomiuri Literary Award in 1956 for "Kinkakuji," and in 1958 he married his wife Yohko.

Kagamiko's House" was written by Mishima with all his heart and soul. Mishima himself states that the major theme of this work is "the times.

In this novel, Mishima attempted to express the Mishima style of "postwar is over" literature by projecting the times onto the four young men gathered at Kagamiko's house. This was Mishima's first attempt at an ambitious challenge.

However, "Kagamiko's House," which took Mishima 500 days to write with all his heart and soul, was severely criticized by critics and branded as a failure. Mishima was deeply wounded by this.