Fundamental research into the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist faith of discriminated people in the early modern period

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24520074
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Religious studies
• Research Institution: University of KinDAI Himeji
• Principal Investigator: WADA Koji 近大姫路大学, 教育学部, 教授 (40572607)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 近世被差別民 / 「かわた」村 / 浄土真宗 / 部落寺院 / 信仰 / 身分上昇

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study revealed an upward status orientation in the religious practice of discriminated people in the early modern period. Accordingly, the discussion centered on the nodal points at which religion in the early modern state intersected with the Emperor system. Specifically, it placed the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist faith of discriminated people in the context of the early modern state and revealed an upward status orientation that used religion as a means to overcome the generational transmission of status.
This upward status orientation was characterized by the mutually beneficial relationship of service (goyo) from discriminated people and exemptions (gomen) from the Hongwanji Buddhist sect.

Free Research Field

宗教学