2014 Volume 88 Issue 2 Pages 369-396
The aim of this paper is to clarify theodicies of Japanese New Religions. Max Weber assumes that the only religions that contain theodicies are Calvinism, Zoroastrianism, and the idea of karma, and that other religions such as Confucianism and Japanese Buddhism lack theodicies. However, the present study found out that Japanese New Religions have unique theodicies that explain why suffering takes place and how people can achieve happiness. This study explores the discourses of major new religious groups in Japan: Soka Gakkai, Tenrikyo, Rissho Koseikai, Seicho no Ie, and so on. The common features of these theodicies are that human beings are children of God and originally created to be happy, but suffering takes place as (1) a notice from God that tells the person who has deviated from the right way or the right mind, (2) a result from the spiritual world, or (3) a result of depravity and sin in a previous life. In addition to those theodicies, they have common pragmatic ways to overcome suffering. That is, when believers (1) repent and recover a pure heart by (2) practicing teachings and doing good for the world, they will (3) attain the state of salvation.
