Seeking Sakyamuni: South Asia in the Formation of Modern Japanese Buddhism

Before the nineteenth century, very few Japanese Buddhists traveled to the Indian subcontinent. In 1873, the first Japanese Buddhists traveled to South Asia in search of Buddhist knowledge, which had a significant impact on the development of twentieth-century Japanese Buddhism. Japan's growing economic ties to the subcontinent following World War I fostered even more Japanese pilgrimage and study at Buddhism's foundational sites.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 22 May 2019
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
\n

Before the nineteenth century, very few Japanese Buddhists ventured to the Indian subcontinent, despite their fascination with the land of their tradition's birth. In his captivating book, Seeking Sakyamuni, Richard M. Jaffe delves into the experiences of the pioneering Japanese Buddhists who embarked on their journey to South Asia in search of Buddhist knowledge, beginning in 1873. Through meticulous analysis, Jaffe explores how these voyages shaped Japanese conceptions of Buddhism, ultimately transforming South Asia into a pivotal hub for the development of twentieth-century Japanese Buddhism.

Jaffe demonstrates that Japan's growing economic connections with the subcontinent following World War I further fueled Japanese pilgrimage and study at Buddhism's foundational sites. He meticulously tracks the Japanese travelers who returned home and the South Asians who visited Japan, shedding light on the intricate flows of knowledge, personal connections, linguistic expertise, and material artifacts of South and Southeast Asian Buddhism that contributed to the growing popular consciousness of Buddhism as a pan-Asian tradition within Japan.

This captivating book not only provides valuable insights into the historical connections between Japan and South Asia but also highlights the profound impact of cultural exchange on the development of Buddhism as a global tradition. Jaffe's meticulous research and engaging storytelling make Seeking Sakyamuni a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of religion, culture, and history.

\n Weight: 486g\n
Dimension: 155 x 229 x 18 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226391151\n \n