Katja Triplett – författare

In the religions of the world, there is strongemphasis on the practice of "purification" for the religious transformation ofmind and body in connection with achieving such ultimate objectives asenlightenment and salvation. The contributors discuss the great diversity offorms and meanings with respect to religious transformation in their respectivefields of research. While invoking earlier debates within the study ofreligions and theology on the topic of "purification" the studies in thisvolume penetrate further into the meaning and structure of religioustransformation of mind and body in the religions of the world and opencomparative perspectives on this topic.

In the religions of the world, there is strongemphasis on the practice of "purification" for the religious transformation ofmind and body in connection with achieving such ultimate objectives asenlightenment and salvation. The contributors discuss the great diversity offorms and meanings with respect to religious transformation in their respectivefields of research. While invoking earlier debates within the study ofreligions and theology on the topic of "purification" the studies in thisvolume penetrate further into the meaning and structure of religioustransformation of mind and body in the religions of the world and opencomparative perspectives on this topic.

This volume emerges from the dynamic IAHR Special Conference held in Tokyo, December 2023, where scholars engaged in vigorous debate on the role of scientific objectivity in the study of religions. The debate featured two distinct perspectives: one advocating for the preservation of scientific neutrality, free from religious or political agendas, and the other promoting the integration of social relevance and addressing societal issues. This volume delves into the complexities of these discussions, exploring regional biases, the definition and articulation of “science,” and the balance between objectivity and cultural-historical perspectives. It aims to expand on the presentations and discussions from the conference, adding insights into the historical context of this debate, the role of science in the study of religions, and the need for an updated understanding of science within the IAHR.Readers are invited to contemplate the nuanced relationship between science and the study of religions, especially in a global context. This volume questions whether scholars of religion are merely reiterating past discussions without significant progress since the IAHR’s establishment, or if they are now equipped to address these issues with more sophisticated arguments and vocabularies, acknowledging the complexity of these debates. The need for such in-depth discussion among international scholars has increased in recent years, not only because of the ongoing debate on decolonization but also in light of the changing social climate, including wars and other political crises.

This volume emerges from the dynamic IAHR Special Conference held in Tokyo, December 2023, where scholars engaged in vigorous debate on the role of scientific objectivity in the study of religions. The debate featured two distinct perspectives: one advocating for the preservation of scientific neutrality, free from religious or political agendas, and the other promoting the integration of social relevance and addressing societal issues. This volume delves into the complexities of these discussions, exploring regional biases, the definition and articulation of “science,” and the balance between objectivity and cultural-historical perspectives. It aims to expand on the presentations and discussions from the conference, adding insights into the historical context of this debate, the role of science in the study of religions, and the need for an updated understanding of science within the IAHR.Readers are invited to contemplate the nuanced relationship between science and the study of religions, especially in a global context. This volume questions whether scholars of religion are merely reiterating past discussions without significant progress since the IAHR’s establishment, or if they are now equipped to address these issues with more sophisticated arguments and vocabularies, acknowledging the complexity of these debates. The need for such in-depth discussion among international scholars has increased in recent years, not only because of the ongoing debate on decolonization but also in light of the changing social climate, including wars and other political crises.

This book demonstrates the close link between medicine and Buddhism in early and medieval Japan. It may seem difficult to think of Japanese Buddhism as being linked to the realm of medical practices since religious healing is usually thought to be restricted to prayers for divine intervention. There is a surprising lack of scholarship regarding medicinal practices in Japanese Buddhism although an overwhelming amount of primary sources proves otherwise. A careful re-reading of well-known materials from a study-of-religions perspective, together with in some cases a first-time exploration of manuscripts and prints, opens new views on an understudied field. The book presents a topical survey and comprises chapters on treating sight-related diseases, women’s health, plant-based materica medica and medicinal gardens, and finally horse medicine to include veterinary knowledge. Terminological problems faced in working on this material – such as ‘religious’ or ‘magical healing’ as opposed to ‘secular medicine’ – are assessed. The book suggests focusing more on the plural nature of the Japanese healing system as encountered in the primary sources and reconsidering the use of categories from the European intellectual tradition.

This book demonstrates the close link between medicine and Buddhism in early and medieval Japan. It may seem difficult to think of Japanese Buddhism as being linked to the realm of medical practices since religious healing is usually thought to be restricted to prayers for divine intervention. There is a surprising lack of scholarship regarding medicinal practices in Japanese Buddhism although an overwhelming amount of primary sources proves otherwise. A careful re-reading of well-known materials from a study-of-religions perspective, together with in some cases a first-time exploration of manuscripts and prints, opens new views on an understudied field. The book presents a topical survey and comprises chapters on treating sight-related diseases, women’s health, plant-based materica medica and medicinal gardens, and finally horse medicine to include veterinary knowledge. Terminological problems faced in working on this material – such as ‘religious’ or ‘magical healing’ as opposed to ‘secular medicine’ – are assessed. The book suggests focusing more on the plural nature of the Japanese healing system as encountered in the primary sources and reconsidering the use of categories from the European intellectual tradition.