The Religious Traditions of Japan 500-1600

Richard Bowring is Professor of Japanese Studies at the University of Cambridge and Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge. He is co-author of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Japan (1993) and has written a number of Japanese Language textbooks.

• Introduction; Part I. The Arrival of Buddhism and Its Effects (c.538–800): 1. The introduction of Buddhism; 2. Creating a dynasty; 3. Buddhism and the early state; 4. Monuments at Nara; Part II. From Saichō to the Destruction of Tōdaiji (800–1180): 5. The beginnings of a 'Japanese' Buddhism: Tendai; 6. The beginnings of a 'Japanese' Buddhism: Shingon; 7. Buddhism and the state in Heian Japan; 8. Shrine and state in Heian Japan; 9. The rise of devotionalism; 10. A time for strife; Part III. From the Destruction of Tōdaiji to the Fall of Godaigo (1180–1330): 11. For and against exclusive practice of the nenbutsu; 12. Religious culture of the early 'middle ages'; 13. Chan Buddhism; 14. Zen Buddhism; 15. Reform from within and without; 16. The emergence of Shintō; 17. Taking stock; Part IV. From the Fall of Godaigo to the Death of Nobunaga (1330–1582): 18. Two rival courts; 19. Muromachi Zen; 20. The end of the medieval; 21. Appendix: reading Shingon's two mandala.

'An absolute must for graduate courses on Japanese religion. It is unlikely to be eclipsed by another general English-language work on the history of religion in pre-modern Japan for many years to come.' Gary P. Leupp, Journal of the American Academy of Religion