CONTEMPORARY RELIGIONS IN JAPAN. COEXISTENCE AND CONFLICTS

There are presently (according to 1964 statistics) 404 religious groups in Japan, composed of 163 Shinto, 174 Buddhist, 45 Christian & 32 `mixed' sects. Statistics are presented which indicate that it is not uncommon for one person to count himself a member of 2 or more religions. Of these joint religious memberships, the most common is for an individual to consider himself both Shinto & Buddhist. An historical compromise which has been worked out over cent's between the traditional, indigenous Shinto, long recognized as united with the state & culminating in the divinity of the Emperor, & Buddhism, imported via China & Korea, is a type of DofL. Shinto revolves around a territorial & communal basis, & is most evident is seasonal festivals & rituals involving a whole area or village, while Buddhism is more personal, & is important in matters of prayers & funerals. Conflicts between sects of Buddhisms are noted, esp between Buddhist priests such as the Shugen, & famous Buddhist temple org's. The re-entrance of Christianity & Christian missionaries at the end of the 19th cent created some new tensions with its idea of one transcendent God: Buddhism had allowed for the inclusion of all the Shinto dieties; Christianity did not. However, Christianity was limited primarily to a milieu of intellectuals, professionals & students. Some developments since 1956 are pointed out as related to the rapid Ur'ization & industr'ization in Japan, esp re 2 sects issuing from Nichiren Buddhism, the Sokagakkai & the Risshokoseikai. A. Heinrich.