현대일본불교의 포교방법에 관한 사례연구 -신뇨엔의 교리, 교육제도, 신도조직, 수행법을 중심으로-

Abstract

This article examines the characteristics of doctrine, educational institution, believers’ organization, training method of Shinnyo-en in the context of propagation method. Shinnyo-en is a typical lay Buddhism in Japan. It was founded in 1936, and marked the 81st anniversary this year. Shinnyo-en lays its purpose of propagation on the altruistic practices, and characteristically stress the Three Principles of Edification. First, the Perspective of the Doctrine addresses the delivery of Shinnyo-en’s teaching plainly. Second, the Perspective of the Experience addresses the practices and experiences of salvation in ordinary life. Third, the Perspective of the Spiritual Faculty addresses the salvation power through Shinnyo-en’s own spiritual world. Shinnyo-en’s propagation has been done more efficiently through the educational institution of Chiryu-Gakuin, a believers’ organization named Suji, training method named Sesshin than the other various ways of propagation offered. Chiryu-Gakuin is a educational institution that cultivates lay Buddhist teachers. Suji is a believers organization that is composed of sequential relationship between guiding individuals and guided ones to faith. Sesshin is a meditative training method which is performed through the medium of a spiritual guider. It is well accepted as a biggest attraction by believers of Shinnyo-en in Japan and foreign countries.