Ryuichi Abe
Encyclopedia
Ryūichi Abe is the Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions at Harvard University
. Until May 2004, he was Professor of Japanese Religions in the departments of Religion and East Asian Languages and Culture at Columbia University
.
Professor Abe, through his teaching and books, has made an important contribution to the Western understanding of Japanese Buddhism. His book on Kūkai
underscores Kūkai’s impact on 9th century Japan
ese society. At a time when Confucian discourse dominated Japan, Kūkai developed a “voice” for Buddhism. He has also written about Ryōkan
, and Saichō
.
He received his bachelor's degree in economics from Keio University and his master's degree from School of Advanced International Affairs, The Johns Hopkins University. He then received his M.Phil and Ph.D in religious studies from Columbia University. In 1991 he began teaching at Columbia, and in 1998 became the Kao Associate Professor of Japanese Religions. He is a recipient of the Philip and Ruth Hettleman Award for distinguished teaching.
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Until May 2004, he was Professor of Japanese Religions in the departments of Religion and East Asian Languages and Culture at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
Professor Abe, through his teaching and books, has made an important contribution to the Western understanding of Japanese Buddhism. His book on Kūkai
Kukai
Kūkai , also known posthumously as , 774–835, was a Japanese monk, civil servant, scholar, poet, and artist, founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism. Shingon followers usually refer to him by the honorific titles of and ....
underscores Kūkai’s impact on 9th century Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese society. At a time when Confucian discourse dominated Japan, Kūkai developed a “voice” for Buddhism. He has also written about Ryōkan
Ryokan
was a quiet and eccentric Sōtō Zen Buddhist monk who lived much of his life as a hermit. Ryōkan is remembered for his poetry and calligraphy, which present the essence of Zen life.-Early life:...
, and Saichō
Saicho
was a Japanese Buddhist monk credited with founding the Tendai school in Japan, based around the Chinese Tiantai tradition he was exposed to during his trip to China beginning in 804. He founded the temple and headquarters of Tendai at Enryaku-ji on Mt. Hiei near Kyoto. He is also said to have...
.
He received his bachelor's degree in economics from Keio University and his master's degree from School of Advanced International Affairs, The Johns Hopkins University. He then received his M.Phil and Ph.D in religious studies from Columbia University. In 1991 he began teaching at Columbia, and in 1998 became the Kao Associate Professor of Japanese Religions. He is a recipient of the Philip and Ruth Hettleman Award for distinguished teaching.
Books
- The Weaving of Mantra : Kūkai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse. 1999.
- Great Fool: Zen Master Ryokan: Poems, Letters, and Other Writings (with Peter Haskel). 1996.
- Saicho and Kukai: A Conflict of Interpretations. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. Spring 1995, 22/1–2