A Storied Sage: Canon and Creation in the Making of a Japanese Buddha (Buddhism and Modernity)

Since its arrival in Japan in the sixth century, Buddhism has played a central role in Japanese culture. But the historical figure of the Buddha, the prince of ancient Indian descent who abandoned his wealth and power to become an awakened being, has repeatedly disappeared and reappeared, emerging each time in a different form and to different ends. __A Storied Sage__ traces this transformation of concepts of the Buddha, from Japan’s ancient period in the eighth century to the end of the Meiji period in the early twentieth century. Micah L. Auerback follows the changing fortune of the Buddha through the novel uses for the Buddha’s story in high and low culture alike, often outside of the confines of the Buddhist establishment. Auerback argues for the Buddha’s continuing relevance during Japan’s early modern period and links the later Buddhist tradition in Japan to its roots on the Asian continent. Additionally, he examines the afterlife of the Buddha in hagiographic literature, demonstrating that the late Japanese Buddha, far from fading into a ghost of his former self, instead underwent an important reincarnation. Challenging many established assumptions about Buddhism and its evolution in Japan, __A Storied Sage__ is a vital contribution to the larger discussion of religion and secularization in modernity. "Auerback has produced an entirely original history of Japanese Buddhism . . . a major contribution to the field. This book is exemplary." —D. Max Moerman, author of The Japanese Buddhist World Map Since its arrival in Japan in the sixth century, Buddhism has played a central role in Japanese culture. But the historical figure of the Buddha, the prince of ancient Indian descent who abandoned his wealth and power to become an awakened being, has repeatedly disappeared and reappeared, emerging each time in a different form and to different ends. A Storied Sage traces this transformation of concepts of the Buddha, from Japan's ancient period in the eighth century to the end of the Meiji period in the early twentieth century. Micah L. Auerback follows the changing fortune of the Buddha through the novel uses for the Buddha's story in high and low culture alike, often outside of the confines of the Buddhist establishment. Auerback argues for the Buddha's continuing relevance during Japan's early modern period and links the later Buddhist tradition in Japan to its roots on the Asian continent. Additionally, he examines the afterlife of the Buddha in hagiographic literature, demonstrating that the late Japanese Buddha, far from fading into a ghost of his former self, instead underwent an important reincarnation. Challenging many established assumptions about Buddhism and its evolution in Japan, A Storied Sage is a vital contribution to the larger discussion of religion and secularization in modernity. "The point where this study blossoms with voluminous detail is when developments in historiography made biographies of the Buddha controversial in the early modern era . . . Auerback's coverage of these debates is exceedingly thorough." — Journal of Japanese Studies This Study Traces The Modern Transformation Of Japanese Buddhist Concepts Across The Nineteenth And Twentieth Centuries, Specifically The Notion Of The Historical Buddhai.e., The Prince Of Ancient Indian Descent Who Abandoned His Wealth And Power To Become An Awakened Being. Since Buddhism Arrived In Japan In The Sixth Century, The Historical Figure Of The Buddha Has Repeatedly Disappeared From View And Returned, Always In Different Forms And To Different Ends. Micah Auerback Offers The First Account Of The Changing Fortunes Of The Japanese Buddha, Following The Course Of Early Modern And Modern Producers And Consumers Of Both High And Low Culture, Who Found Novel Uses For The Buddha S Story Outside The Confines Of The Buddhist Establishment. Auerback Challenges The Still-prevalent Concept That Buddhism Had Grown Ossified And Irrelevant During Japan S Early Modernity, And Complicates The Image Of Japanese Buddhism As A Sui Generis Tradition Within The Asian Buddhist World. Auerback Also Links The Later Buddhist Tradition In Japan To Its Roots On The Continent, And Argues For The Relevance Of Attention To Narrative And The Historical Imagination In The Study Of Buddhist Asia More Broadly Conceived. And, Auerback Engages The Question Of Secularization By Examining The After Life Of The Buddha In The Hagiographic Literature, Demonstrating That The Late Japanese Buddha Did Not, As Is Widely Thought, Fade Into A Ghost Of Its Former Self, But Rather Underwent A Complete Transformation And Reincarnation. The Book Thus Joins The Larger Discussion Of Secularization In Modernity Beyond Buddhism, Japanese Religions, And The Asian Continent. "Since its arrival in Japan in the sixth century, Buddhism has played a central role in Japanese culture. But the historical figure of the Buddha, the prince of ancient Indian descent who abandoned his wealth and power to become an awakened being, has repeatedly disappeared and reappeared, emerging each time in a different form and to different ends. A Storied Sage traces this transformation of concepts of the Buddha, from Japan's ancient period in the eighth century to the end of the Meiji period in the early twentieth century. Micah L. Auerback follows the changing fortune of the Buddha through the novel uses for the Buddha's story in high and low culture alike, often outside of the confines of the Buddhist establishment. Auerback argues for the Buddha's continuing relevance during Japan's early modern period and links the later Buddhist tradition in Japan to its roots on the Asian continent. Additionally, he examines the afterlife of the Buddha in hagiographic literature, demonstrating that the late Japanese Buddha, far from fading into a ghost of his former self, instead underwent an important reincarnation. Challenging many established assumptions about Buddhism and its evolution in Japan, A Storied Sage is a contribution to the larger discussion of religion and secularization in modernity."--Provided by publisher