| Research Abstract |
In the Meiji Era many Japanese Buddhist monks went to India, Srilanka (Ceylon), Thailand (Siam), etc. for Buddhist studies.; India and Srilanka : Shaku Kozen, Shaku Soen, Yoshitsura Hogen, Tokuzawa Chiezo, Koizumi Ryotai, Asakura Ryosho, Higashi Onjo, Kwakami Teishin, Hiruma Yukai, Shaku Shugu, Sato Dokusho, Shimizu Mokuji, Fujita Tokumyo, Kawaguchi Ekai, Hori Shitoku, Kojima Kaiho, Kudo Keishin, Toriie Nintaku, Mukoyama Ryoun, Yoshimatsu Kaiyu, Goto Taishun, Yamagami Sogen, Tachibana Shundo, Kimura Ryukan, Hasebe Ryutai. Thailand : Ikuta Tokunou.
Some of them learned the Vinaya (Buddhist precepts), Sanskrit and Pali at the Theravada monastery-school like Vidyodaya Pirivena in Colombo. The others learned Sanskrit at traditional colleges in India. Moreover, Tibet Fever" happened in the Japanese Buddhist circles and made many young enthusiastic monks like Kawakami Teishin, Kawaguchi Ekai, Nomi Yutaka, Teramoto Enga set about exploring Tibet, the Forbidden Country in those days.
The head investigator has investigated their lives and analysed their writings remained, and has pointed out the four motives of the movements above mentioned : (1) interest in the Vinaya supposed to be transmitted directly from Shakya Buddha (2) enthusiasm for demonstrating that Mahayana Buddhism was taught by Shakya Buddha himself (3) strong sense of opposition against Western Civilization, especially Christianity (4) nationalistic and Pan-Asianistic feelings
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