Shinran the Thinker: A Philosophy Starting from "I Am Wrong"

2022/01/27

I have been interested in Buddhism since my undergraduate days, and eventually chose to become a researcher and write books related to Buddhism. This book is my fifth single-authored work. Somewhat unusually for someone with such a career, my undergraduate degree was in economics.

The catalyst for my interest in Buddhism—or rather, in thought and philosophy in general, including Buddhism—was learning about the scholarship of Adam Smith in a lecture on economic thought by Professor Tatsuya Sakamoto (currently Professor Emeritus at Keio University). From the professor's lectures, I was taught the fascination of thinking deeply about humans and society.

After many twists and turns, I established my own academic stance of contemplating humans and society through Buddhism. I think it is rare for someone to become a Buddhist researcher as a result of being inspired by (lectures on) Adam Smith. In any case, the liberal arts elements of Keio's Faculty of Economics have certainly influenced my current scholarship.

The same is true for this book. Most conventional academic books on the theme of Shinran have been written by researchers of Buddhist history or scholar-monks of Jodo Shinshu. Those books have used the methods of history and Buddhist studies to clarify how Shinran formed his own doctrines and thoughts.

In contrast, my book discusses from multiple perspectives how the teachings of this medieval monk, Shinran, were received by later generations—especially those living in the modern and contemporary eras—and how they used them as a guide for their own lives.

From around the Meiji to Taisho eras, Shinran became a kind of star among intellectuals. In other words, among those who valued liberal arts, there were many who were devoted to Shinran.

They became "disciples" of Shinran through the Tannisho, a book that conveys Shinran's words, honing their own thinking and reflecting on their own lives.

In my book, I trace the trajectories of people who thought about Shinran through reading the Tannisho in that way, exploring the questions of "What is Shinran to the Japanese?" and "Why is Shinran so popular among the Japanese?"

Even in modern Japan, where many people identify as "non-religious," I believe Shinran's thought remains important as part of a liberal arts education. There is no other figure who spoke of Buddhism in a way that resonates so closely with the sensibilities of the Japanese people.

Shinran the Thinker: A Philosophy Starting from "I Am Wrong"

Toshihiro Omi

Shincho Sensho

240 pages, 1,595 yen (tax included)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.