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ERIC Number: EJ970712
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1935-3308
EISSN: N/A
Blending Buddhism, Shinto, and the Secular: Japanese Conceptualizations of the Divine
Crane, Lauren Shapiro; Bruce, Jessica L.; Salmon, Ptamonie Y.; Eich, R. Tony; Brandewie, Erika N.
Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, v6 n2 p76-89 Win 2012
This qualitative interview study investigated Japanese understandings of spirituality, religion, and The Divine. Thirteen native Japanese living in central Ohio (6 male, 7 female) answered open-ended questions about spiritual or religious activities they engaged in, motivations for engaging in them, what constitutes sacredness, why humanity and the universe exist, and what happens after death. Content analyses identified prominent themes. Participants overwhelmingly reported no religious affiliation and espoused certain secular beliefs, yet the majority also reported beliefs related to traditional Japanese religions. Overall, understanding of existence and the human condition appeared to blend Buddhist, Shinto, and secular themes at a psychological level. Conceptualization of The Divine included themes involving interrelatedness, real-world perfection, and connection to the human heart.
Cedarville University. 251 North Main Street, Cedarville, OH 45314. Tel: 937-766-3242; Fax: 937-766-7971; e-mail: jeqr@comcast.net; Web site: http://www.cedarville.edu/jeqr
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Japan; Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A