Learning to Persevere: The Popular Teachings of Tendai Ascetics.

Abstract

This paper introduces the teachings of three contemporary practitioners of Tendai Buddhism. I argue that the study of Japanese Buddhism has focused on doctrine and the past to the detriment of our understanding of contempo­ rary teaching. Through an examination of the teachings of contemporary practitioners of austerities, I show that practice is drawn on as a source more than classical doctrine, that conservative values are prized, and that the teach­ ings show strong similarities to the teachings of the new religions, suggesting a broad-based shared worldview. k e y w o r d s : Tendai -kaihogyo -morals -education -new religions Stephen G. Covell is Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Religion, Western Michigan University. 255 W i t h a few notable exceptions the study of Japanese Buddhism tends to be the study of the distant past.1 Japanese Buddhism, with the exclusion of modern movements known as new or new new religions, is rarely portrayed as a living religion. Indeed, contemporary temple Buddhism (" traditional Buddhism " ） is best known as " funeral Buddhism, " a term used to describe its primary ritual and social role. It is roundly assumed, moreover, that contemporary temple Buddhism itself is in need of a funeral, the life in its teachings having passed away centuries ago. Yet, as I have argued elsewhere, this perception stems from the idea that " real " Buddhism has degenerated over time, and from the con­ comitant lack of scholarly interest in contemporary teachings and practices.2 This paper will introduce the teachings of three contemporary practitioners of Tendai Buddhism. All three successfully completed the grueling thousand-day circumambulation (sennichi kaihogyo 千日回峰行) in which practitioners walk distances equal to the circumference of the globe over a period of seven years. An examination of their teachings will show strong similarities to those of the new religions, suggesting a broad-based shared worldview. Such a worldview has not been observed within temple Buddhism because its teachings have been sought almost exclusively within classical doctrine. The teachings of traditional Buddhist sects are usually understood as those of the founders or other prominent priests from the distant past. For example, at 1 aisho University, a university affiliated with the Tendai sect,3 young priests are