Abolish Buddhism and Destroy Shakyamuni!

Abstract

This is the second part of an article concerning the ethical and doctrinal changes to Japanese Buddhism that occurred as a result of its centuries long, syncretistic connection to the indigenous religion of Shintō. The first part of this article, entitled “Counting the Cost of Buddhist Syncretism”, may be read here: http://www.jocbs.org/index.php/jocbs/article/view/186. While reading the first article is not required, its contents will nevertheless provide a helpful context for the events described in this article.