tiger beetle (esp. the Japanese tiger beetle, Cicindela japonica)

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.
manorJapanese History and Culture

Shunichi Ito, "Manors: From the Kenda Eien Private Property Law to the Onin Rebellion" - Japanese History from the perspective of manors! Also recommended to learn about the relationship between temples and manors.

As the title of the book suggests, "Shoen: From the Kenda Eien Private Property Law to the Onin Rebellion" focuses on "manors," which have had a major impact on Japanese history. The book is a fascinating look at Japanese history from the perspective of "manors," a viewpoint that may seem unlikely, but it is one that is hard to find.

The connection between temples and manors is also significant in considering Japanese Buddhism. Religion is not only about religion. Political economy, historical background, and everything else is connected. In this sense, the manor house, which served as a major economic base and the site for the development of information and technology, is also a major point of reference.
Ancient History of the PeopleJapanese Buddhism and its History

Kazuhiko Yoshida, "Ancient History of the People" - Recommended for understanding ancient Buddhism and people's lives as seen through "Nihon ryoiki"!

This work is based on the "Nihon ryoiki" written by the Nara period monk Keikai, and looks at the lives of the people of that time.

This book reveals that Buddhist beliefs had already taken root among the people as early as the Nara period (710-794). We will also learn what kind of faith it was. This book also makes us think about what kind of salvation the people, not the aristocrats and monks, were seeking from Buddhism.

It was a very gratifying work for me to think about Japanese Buddhism. I highly recommend this work.
ancient BuddhismJapanese Buddhism and its History

Kazuhiko Yoshida, "Re-reading Ancient Buddhism" - A recommended reference book for learning about the introduction of Buddhism, Prince Shotoku, the Emperor and the State!

In this book, interesting points that are truly eye-opening are made more and more. The commentary on Prince Shotoku and the formation of the state and the syncretism of Shintoism and Buddhism are especially interesting. It is extremely interesting.

I am a monk of the Jodo Shinshu sect. Shinran, the founder of Jodo Shinshu, was a monk who lived from the late Heian to Kamakura periods. I often have the opportunity to listen to lectures and Dharma talks about the period in which Shinran lived, but I do not have such opportunities to learn about the historical background and Buddhism in the Nara and Heian periods, which goes back even further than that. For such a person like me, it was very gratifying to learn about Buddhism and the historical background of this period, which is also the foundation of Japanese Buddhism.
New Asian Buddhist History 11Japanese Buddhism and its History

New Asian Buddhist History 11 Japan I: Foundations of Japanese Buddhism" - A recommended reference book to learn surprising facts about the reception of Buddhism in Japan and Prince Shotoku!

Let me say this first.

This book, "New Asian Buddhist History 11 Japan I: Foundations of Japanese Buddhism" is extremely interesting!

So far in this blog, we have introduced a number of books from the first book in the "History of New Asian Buddhism" series, "History of New Asian Buddhism 01 India I: Background of the Emergence of Buddhism," all of which have been published in the "New Asian Buddhist History" series, all of which have been published in the "New Asian Buddhist History" series. Really? !" I have introduced a number of reference books since the first book in the "History of New Asian Buddhism" series, "India I: Background of the Emergence of Buddhism.

And among them, this work, "New Asian Buddhist History 11 Japan I: Foundations of Japanese Buddhism," was one of the most stimulating and interesting.

This book is a great book for learning the basics of Japanese Buddhism. It is a great book that I highly recommend. I highly recommend you to pick up a copy.
Wu emperor of Liang (China)Chinese Buddhism, Thought and History

MIKUSABURO MORI, "The Wu Emperor of Liang: Tragedy of a Buddhist Dynasty" - Recommended to learn about the good government of a Chinese king who was a devout believer in Buddhism and his tragedy! And the connection with Cloudy Lan.

This book will take a closer look at the political and religious affairs of Emperor Liang Wu. The Wu Emperor had a good government that was unthinkable at the time. The Wu emperor's Buddhist line of peaceful culture clearly enriched people's lives. But what a sad irony that the good government itself was the cause of the country's collapse.

In this book, we will take a closer look at the good government of such a warrior emperor and the collapse of his nation. As you can see in the quote above, the destruction of the country is very sad. Although the Wu emperor himself was not without his own shortcomings and blunders, it is still tempting to imagine what history might have been like.

In addition, the main character of this work, Liang's Wuji, is actually a very deep connection for Jodo Shinshu. In this sense, this book is highly recommended.
hato-mara-shiChinese Buddhism, Thought and History

Yokochao Huiyi and Yoshijun Suwa, "Personages: Buddhism in China, Rashi" - Recommended to learn about the tumultuous life of the translator monk Hatomarai Rashi!

... Hatimarashi's life of hardship is well known, and each of these hardships will be looked at in detail in this book.

In this book, you will realize how much hard work went into the translation of the sutras left behind by Hatumarashi and other translators, which we in later generations take for granted.

I highly recommend this book together with "How Were Buddhist Scriptures Translated into Chinese: When Sutras Become Scriptures" by Toru Funayama, which was previously introduced on this blog.
How was the Buddhist scripture translated into Chinese?Chinese Buddhism, Thought and History

Toru Funayama, "How the Buddhist Scriptures were translated into Chinese: When the Sutra Becomes a Sutra" - A stimulating reference book that is also recommended for considering what a sutra is!

How were sutras composed in ancient Indian languages converted into Chinese?

It is not easy to think about the "process of Chinese translation," but when you look at the actual situation, it is very interesting! It is amazing to see how the sutras were created! That's how sutras were created? This is exciting.

This book is also a work that offers great insights into Chinese and Japanese Buddhism.
History of Buddhism in New Asia 07Chinese Buddhism, Thought and History

New Asian Buddhist History 07: China II, Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty: The Rise and Development of Buddhism" - A recommended work to learn interesting facts about Dōmo and Zendo.

Religion is not only religion. Religions change and are generated by the historical background, political economy, and all other factors of the time.

China has a particularly strong relationship with the state. What about Japan, on the other hand?

This book is a very good thought experiment on these matters.

And the most interesting part of this book was the part where the flow of Chinese Pure Land Buddhism was explained. I was particularly inspired by the stories about Dōng and Zendo, two high priests who are also revered as the Seven High Priests in Jōdo Shinshu.

It is not often that I have the opportunity to learn about the life and personality of this Doumo and Zendo, so the story told in this book was just amazing!
New Asian Buddhist History 06Chinese Buddhism, Thought and History

New Asian Buddhist History 06: China I: Northern and Southern Dynasties: Eastern transmission and reception of Buddhism" - Recommended for a broad study of the introduction of Buddhism to China!

Buddhism that entered China is completely foreign to the Chinese. How to accept such an alien existence is a very big problem.

The introduction of Buddhism in China is of great significance in understanding Japanese Buddhism. As we have seen, the "New Asian Buddhist History" series offers a broad overview of Buddhist history. This work is also a very good introduction to Chinese Buddhism, as it looks at the introduction of Buddhism in China. It also contains a wealth of references, which will be very useful for future study. I highly recommend this book.