107

Bundle 107: Meiji Era: Waging War on Buddhism

As Japanese Buddhist temples are eminently tranquil, it's unthinkable that, as this bundle shows (especially the 毀 essay), an 1868 government mandate to separate Shinto and Buddhism nearly eliminated the latter religion. The Meiji government banned Fuke Zen, viewing its monks as informants for the ousted government. More significantly, the government aimed to make Shinto the national religion, prompting the destruction of Buddhist property nationwide. People burned sutras and discarded Buddhist statues, and monks either returned to secular life or became Shinto priests. With about 40,000 temples destroyed—up to 80 percent in certain places—Japanese Buddhism neared eradication.
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窃
stealth
JOK: 1488
By reading about everything from art heists to kleptomania, learn to say that a person is suspected of theft, is charged with theft, and is guilty of theft. Find out what there is to steal from Japanese temples and how such thefts have played out internationally. See whether or not the Japanese have traditionally protected their property and whether or not thievery has been an issue in Japan.
薦
recommend
JOK: 1499
People typically use this kanji to recommend things (e.g., restaurants, books, and hotels) or people (e.g., for positions). But 薦 also has connections to everything from saké barrels, straw mats, and wall coverings to Shinto rituals, flute-playing priests, and beggars, as well as the sacrum, wild rice, and azuki beans. This essay explores the relationships between these disparate themes!
毀
destroy
JOK: 1954
Learn about a long-term movement that nearly eradicated Buddhism in Japan, destroying many thousands of temples. See what "praise and criticism cancel each other out” means. Discover how to say, "The best thing is to destroy them," "They called off their engagement," "That destroyed all his dreams," "The old building was demolished," and "The actress sued the magazine for libel."
詣
go deep
JOK: 1996
See which word one author used when critiquing Abe for treating Obama reverently (i.e., as if the PM were visiting a shrine or seeing a god). Find out how a temple can lie in a lucky direction, and learn about birthplace deities. Discover the most popular pilgrimages and what they involve. See how 詣 and 参 relate to each other. And learn to talk about deep knowledge of a subject.
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