Reform of Research Methods in Buddhist Studies: With a Focus on Structural Problems

Abstract

The foremost characteristic of Japanese Buddhism is that it has established its identity in Japanese society based on a distinction of schools. Buddhist studies in Japan have largely been indifferent to this peculiarity, taking the characteristic to be applicable to Buddhism in general. This has led to the adoption by Japanese researchers of a rigidly standardized methodology in discussing Buddhism, even applying the same approaches to studies of Buddhism outside of Japan. For researches in this field to truly develop, implementation of fieldwork free from such biased traits and the choice of different paradigms suited to the subject matter are indispensable. This paper further points out that Buddhist studies published in Japan generally receive little attention abroad due to the distinctive use of the term “school” and the highly particular inter-relationship between schools, temples, and priests in Japanese Buddhism.