K. M. University, India Christianity in the Land of Santhals: a study of Resistance and Acceptance in Historical Perspective(03U)

Kotin, Igor Yurievich

Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Migration and Sanscritisation: Hindu Rituals and the Caste Status among Indians in Southall(03L)

South Asians in Southall, as well as their compatriots in many other cities and boroughs of Great Britain, use their geographical relocation as an occasion to also move horizontally, upward in the social structure according to the social system of their native country. Another way of upward social mobility is by accepting and reproducing rituals of higher social groups. This phenomenon, observed and described by M. Srinivas, is generally known as Sanscritisation. It can be shown that in diaspora, the caste groups of relatively low social status in India often try to claim higher status by reproducing rituals of more prestigious social groups. We may say that in diaspora, religion is often used as an important tool to maintain and remake cultural identity, and religious rituals are used as a way of claiming high social status in the new social setting of diaspora.

Organized panel, English
Koumoto, Mitsugu

Meiji University, Japan

Memorial Services for the Fallen Soldiers in Modern Japan:A Case Study of the Memorials for Soldiers of the Suicide Corps(05J)

This report proceeds as follows. 1. Memorial services for the fallen soldiers in modern Japan - Yasukuni shrine, monuments for the loyal dead(war dead), memorial towers(monuments), family tombs 2. The peculiarity of the memorials for the fallen soldiers of the Suicide Corps 3. The multiplicity in meaning of the memorial services for the fallen soldiers of Suicide Corps

Symposium, English
Kozawa, Hiroshi

Daito Bunka University, Japan

Religion, Ethnicity, and Culture in Korea and Japan (3) Movements of Popular Religion in Modern States(09D)

*respondent

Symposium
Kranenborg, Reender

Vrije Universiteit, Netherlands

The Evil of Satanism(02T)

Satanism normally is considered as bad, evil, wicked. Also as dangerous and harmful to people. But: how evil is Satanism? This question is the more important as there does not exist a general common accepted idea of good and evil. Things which some people are calling evil are considered by others as good. In this presentation at first we will discuss these ideas about good and evil. As example we take the ideas which Sandor LaVey of the Church of Satan has about the so-called seven important sins. It will appear it is very difficult to define what is really evil. Nevertheless, we cannot say all things are good when people have the opinion it is good. It is possible to say that there are religions which are really evil. So we will deal with three kinds of satanistic religion. At first: there are religions which call themselves satanistic, but in fact are not "satanic" (= evil). Secondly there are religions which call themselves satanistic, and in fact really are "satanic"(f.i. ritual Satanism). Thirdly there are religions which do not name themselves as satanistic, but in fact are really "satanic" (Final Church). I will describe these forms of religion, give a phenomenology of Satanism, and also give an "evaluation".

Organized panel, English
Krech, Volkhard

Ruhr-Universität, Germany

Sailing the Shallows of Modernity: How the Humanities in Germany began to fathom the History of Religion(02K)

The paper will outline aspects of the intellectual and social context in which the German science of religion arose. I will argue that the scientific concern about religion went along with the reflection on modernity. Two directions can be identified: On the one hand, societal differentiation raised the "problem of social order", and the search for forces of social integration led to religion, especially in its moral and personal significance. In this perspective, religion seemed and still seems to be compatible with modernity, and more over an essential sphere for modern society. On the other hand, an intellectual attitude, known as Kulturpessimismus, arose. In this perspective, two conclusions were made: Either religion would definitely vanish within the unstoppable process of modernization, or culture would have to turn back to religion. This view sometimes led to irrational Weltanschauungen. The period of the Weimar Republic will receive special attention.

Organized panel, English
Krech, Volkhard

Ruhr-Universität, Germany

Interpretations of Religious Texts(10S)

*chairperson

Organized panel
Krindatch, Alexey

Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, Russia

Religion, Politics and Civil Society in the Post-Soviet Russia(05E)

The paper examines the changes in religious sphere of the post-Soviet Russian society after 1991 in the following dimensions: 1) Changes in the country' religious landscape (major historical components of Russia's religious landscape; their geography; current trends in population' religious composition); 2) degree and forms of the personal religious participation (religious identity, church attendance, observance religious requirements, etc.); 3) Rise of the social influence of the religious institutions on the entire civil society (public popularity of religious organizations in comparison with other state or civic institutions, formal and informal linkages between religious organizations and political movements); 4) Evolution of Church-State relations: from "American" separatist model to "European" co-operative and to restoration of the old Soviet pattern of Church-State relations; 5) Problems of inter-religious relations and religious freedom (claims of the Russian Orthodox Church for a privileged position, rise of Anti-Western sentiments in religious sphere, religious education in public schools, etc.)

Organized panel, English
Krivosheina, Elena

International Federation for Peace and Conciliation, Russia

Religious Values as a Resource for Peace: the Russian Experience(16E)

The violent instability of the contemporary world and the wide reach of terrorism demand a cooperative search for ways of keeping peace in the world. Given the role of religion in conflict, and its potential for peace building, an analysis of the role of religions in problems of conflict and peace is very critical. On this point several very important questions are: Do religions have a potential to protect the world from destruction, to help peace building, and to enable development of a culture of peace? What do religious moral principles mean for modern societies? Do people take them into account in their actions, or do they think that religious morality has lost its actuality and only impedes them? To answer these questions it is necessary to study the value systems of modern societies and to find out in which spheres of life a religious motivation and religious values have significant importance. The study of post-Soviet Russian society and its values has shown that despite the fact that material secular values predominate in today's social life, people suffering from a shortage of morality and a surplus of cruelty and violence around them are inclined to search for a culture of peace and tolerance in religion traditions and religion morality.

Organized panel
Kubo, Tsugunari

Essential Lay Buddhism Study Center, Japan

Characteristics of the Lotus Sutra with Regard to the Human Spirit(02M)

Among the many Mahayana sutras, the Lotus Sutra displays a unique characteristic in its attitude of inspiring people themselves to be creators of what the Sutra expounds and wishes people to aspire to regarding the fundamental structure of life and existence. The focus of the text is on the merit of people pursuing Bodhi in the here and now of present existence instead of merely hoping to have a better existence in a future paradise, and it indicates that living beings themselves should be the ones who chart their own course within the bodhisattva way. In its opening chapter the Sutra says that so many bodhisattvas are producing Bodhi through their practices, suggesting to readers that Bodhi is not only their goal, but also something that they can generate through their daily routines. The idea of lay bodhisattvas practicing according to its ideals is reinforced in the middle sections.

Organized panel, * Session Abstract, English
Kubota, Hiroshi

University of Tuebingen, Germany

Reconsidering German Traditions in the Study of Religion(02K)

In the scholarly world of Religious Studies after 1945 a certain current of German Religionswissenschaft enjoyed an influential worldwide recognition, and was, for a long time, esteemed as Religionswissenschaft per se. In this panel, historical-critical eyes shall be turned upon German traditions of Religious Studies previous to 1945. The cradle and growth of this discipline shall be contextualized within certain intellectual, socio-political, cultural, and religious circumstances and environments without which no institutional establishment of Religionswissenschaft --at least in its historical form--could have been possible. The panel aims therefore first and foremost to "reduce" the "academic" discourse of Religious Studies in Germany leading up to 1945 into "non-academic" discourses, with the hope of elucidating certain conditions of its discursive formation, facilitating the rethinking of modalities of the post-war reception of German Religionswissenschaft, and giving an--although indirect--impetus to a new conceptual formation of the discipline.

Organized panel, * Session Abstract, English
Kubota, Hiroshi

University of Tuebingen, Germany

Interaction between Religious Studies and Religion: Religious Studies as Religious Liberalist Quest for the Self-Realization(02K)

In the historiography of Religious Studies in Germany it has been put forward that the discipline of Religious Studies is an heir both of the Enlightenment and Romanticism. This interpretation is certainly appropriate, if one tries to shed light upon its relevance in the context of the intellectual history of modern Germany, but it can also be misleading, if one tries to critically elucidate its socio-cultural position within society. This paper shall examine a certain trend in Religious Studies, which took place in the first decades of the 20th century within the context of religious constellations in which the scholarly occupation with religion acquired its socio-cultural relevance. Certain aspects of interactions between Religious Studies and religion shall be exposed through exploring the following religiously liberal trends: the Youth Movement inspired through liberal Protestantism, the inter-religious movement understood as an inter-religious version of the ecumenical movement, and the self-realization endeavors of the liberal Protestant mission.

Organized panel, English
Kucuk, Abdurrahman

TAHR Turkish Association for the History of Religions, Turkey

Tolerance and Islam(14C)

Tolerance in a religious sense means to respect religious freedom as well as the opinions of persons from different religions, faiths and ideologies. Islam, as universal religion, urges believers to be tolerant to every creature. By its essence, Islam bears of messages about tolerance in the Quran and other Holy Islamic scriptures. The main goal of Islam is peace and endless happiness; even the name Islam means Peace. Muslim peoples, especially Turkish Muslims, have a long experience of tolerance towards the other religious peoples, such as Christians, Jews, etc. (The paper will be delivered in French)

Organized panel, French
Kudo, Toru

Japan

A Study of the Fundamental Problem of Monotheism – Concerning Christianity(07T)

Organized panel, Japanese

Kuftaro, Sheikh Salah Eddin

Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro Foundation, Syria

Religion between Conflict and Peace --An Islamic View Point(03H)

Before touching upon the Islamic conception of 'conflict' and 'peace', it is indispensable to perceive the etymological meaning of the two terms. The word 'conflict' is derived from the Latin term "conflictus", which is in turn derived from "confligere". 'Con' stands for "together", while 'fligere' and 'flictus' mean "to strike". Hence does 'conflict' etymologically mean 'to strike together', or in other words 'to fight, contend, battle and war'. The term 'peace' is derived from the Latin term "pax" and stands for the 'absence of war or harmony, conciliation, tranquility' and alike. "Islam" is 'a complete way of life' and is generally understood to mean 'submission to God'. However, the term ( "Islam" is etymologically derived from the root word) 'silm', meaning 'peace' in English. Hence the term "peace" is in fact one of the actual meanings of the term 'Islam'. The adherents of Islam are subsequently named 'Muslims', literally meaning 'one who has entered in the condition of peace'. Therefore, being a Muslim naturally includes being an 'ambassador of peace'. By merely defining the terms mentioned above, one can clearly conceive the true Islamic perspective with regard to conflict and peace.

Organized panel
Kumamoto, Einin

Komazawa University, Japan

Modernity, Secularism, and Nationalism(07S)

*chairperson

Organized panel
Kumamoto, Einin

Komazawa University, Japan

Critical Views onto the Buddhism of Modern Japan(07S)

The Buddhism of modern Japan has received a lot of criticism. On the other hand, there is an opinion of expectation of Buddhism as well. I have studied the cause of the criticism toward Buddhism and the real intentions behind the expectations for Buddhism.

Organized panel, Japanese
Kumar, Pratap

KwaZulu Natal University, South Africa

Religious Pluralism in the Diaspora(03L)

The panel will focus on contemporary changes in the religious practice in the diaspora context. It will also look at how diaspora groups manage their religious practice within the context of diverse religious groups in the host society. Since most diaspora live in the urban space in their host society, attention will also be paid to the religious conflict and religious tolerance both among the diaspora and the host society. Finally, the panel will attempt to the changes and modifications that they adopt to suit the new context in which they live.

Organized panel, * Session Abstract, English
Kumar, Pratap

KwaZulu Natal University, South Africa

The Scriptural Hermeneutics in Hindu Religious Tradition(04L)

*respondent

Organized panel, English
Kunin, Seth D.

University of Aberdeen, UK

Contested Models of Sacred Space in Biblical and Rabbinic Culture(13F)

The paper will present a detailed structuralist analysis of the dominant views of sacred space developed in the Biblical and Rabbinic sources. It will demonstrate the coherence of this view of geography and sacred landscape with the structure of other cultural domains. The paper will then subvert the dominant view by developing an analysis of other biblical/rabbinic models of sacred space that are in conflict with the dominant tradition. The paper concludes with a rethinking of structure as multi-lithic (a neologism) rather than monolithic.

Organized panel, English
Kupfer, Kristin

Ruhr-University, Germany

New Religious Movements in the People' s Republic of China after 1978(01B)

Starting in 1978, the spiritual and religious life of China has experienced a strong and diverse awakening due in large part to the weakening ideological and organizational control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The most dynamic and challenging aspects of this change are can be seen through specific spiritual/religious groups that share a similar structure. These groups are characterized by having a charismatic founder and a flexible structure of organization, and through their promotion of teachings based on healing and salvation. The first part of the paper will present a detailed analysis of the groups referring to their leaders' personality, membership, methods of recruitment and communication, organization, teachings as well as their activities. The second part of the paper uses a macro, meso, and micro level of analysis to develop a framework for analyzing the emergence and development of spiritual/religious groups.

Organized panel, English
Kurata, Nobuo

Hokkaido University, Japan

What Is This Thing Called 'Human Dignity'? -Biotechnology and Humanity(06J)

Indeed, we can resolve many ethical problems of modern biotechnologies by referring to various risks caused by them. But if all the technological risks were removed, some kinds of anxiety would remain, and respect for the value of something underlies such anxiety. Human beings contain something we should not manipulate or control. The words 'human dignity' express the normative value of this. But it is very difficult to articulate 'human dignity' in philosophical terms. In addition, the concept of human dignity is rooted in the Occidental tradition, but our Japanese society is a secularized one, and Christianity does not have much influence on it. But the concept of human dignity has some normative power, which is difficult to neglect. In this presentation, I would like to reconsider the meaning of 'humanity' which is the base of human dignity.

Symposium, English
Kurihara, Hiromu

Nagoyabunri University, Japan

On the Funerals and Memorial Services in the Fujiwarano Yukinari Family(04J)

Fujiwarano Yukinari (972~1027) was one representative aristocrat politician of the middle Heian era. Although it was common for remains to be laid to rest at the natal home, he deposited the remains of his wife, his mother and a grandfather into a river. This was a most unusual funerary method. However, it is important to note that these three family members descended from a differing clan, 'Genji', and Yukinari who was 'Fujiwara' caused the loss of their graves. His actions regarding funerals and memorial services differed from the normative of the era. He behaved freely, unconstrained by his paternal and maternal relations, nor with those to his wife's lineage. Uninfluenced by genealogical considerations, his behavior was based on a rather unfixed philosophy regarding kinship. In other words, I think it can be seen that for him the very ideas of ie (family) were not so firmly formulated.

Symposium, English
Kurihara, Toshie

The Institute of Oriental Philosophy, Japan

Nichiren's Theory of Women's Attainment of Buddhahood(10F)

From the viewpoint of gender, the Buddhist thinker and reformer Nichiren (1222-1282) is considered among the most progressive of the founders of Kamakura Buddhism, in that he consistently championed the capacity of women to achieve salvation throughout his ecclesiastic writings. My presentation will examine Nichiren's perspectives on women, shaped through his interpretation of the 28-chapter Lotus Sutra of Gautama Shakyamuni in India. The paper's focus is twofold: First, to review doctrinal issues concerning the spiritual potential of women to attain enlightenment and Nichiren's treatises on these issues, which he posited contrary to the prevailing social and religious norms of medieval Japan. And second, to survey the practical solutions that Nichiren, given the social context of his time, offered to the personal challenges that his women followers confronted in everyday life.

Organized panel
Kurokawa, Tomobumi

Aichi Univercity of Education, Japan

Religious War and Religious Conflict(01N)

This paper presents a comparative analysis between religious war and religious conflict. Religious war includes the Crusades, Reconquista, Huss war, Bauernkrieg, Schmalkaldischerkrieg, Huguenot war, and the Thirty-year war. Religious conflict include the Israeli-Palestinian problem, Northern Ireland, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Kosovo, and Chechen conflict.

Organized panel
Kurosaki, Hiroyuki

Kokugakuin University, Japan

Jinja Shinto and the Internet: Jinja Shinto in Social Change and Jinja Websites(16T)

Jinja Shinto after World War II has been faced with the problem of how to maintain its raison d'etre and traditional functions within regional communities in the face of institutional and social change. While it has been argued that Jinja Shinto is declining due to weak Ujiko (parishoner) organization and consciousness, some large shrines succeed in attracting personal worshipers and commitment by individuals through personal choice. Scholars have recently suggested that shrine groves provide "healing" functions for the contemporary world and a spiritual bond for people who leave the village for the city. In this paper I present the results of a survey in order to assess the role of the Internet for shrines under current social conditions. How do shrines maintaining websites perceive the social change of which they are a part of and how do they see their role in that change? How do they evaluate their activities in the Internet and the effect of those activities?

Organized panel, English
Kuyama, Michihiko

Meiji Gakuin University, Japan

Origen and the Ethics of War(13N)

Some have argued that Origen was the most articulate and eloquent pacifist of the early Christian world. Others, however, have regarded him in a negative light, portraying him as having introduced the idea of the "just war," which was later further developed by Augustine. Was Origen a Utopian pacifist who interpreted the wars described in the Old Testament allegorically without any hint of criticism? Or was he a shrewd realist, who recognized the need for military power to keep the peace in the Roman Empire? A key issue in my eyes is that he would have completely lost his theoretical consistency by insisting on absolute non-violence, while generally accepting the right to resist. In this presentation, I would like to expand upon these suggestions by clarifying the comprehensive standpoint which Origen most likely held, namely his attempts of setting up criteria for war, which are today aptly referred to as the "Ethics of War."

Symposium, English
Kwon, Heonik

University of Edinburgh, UK

Liberation from Grievous Death in Central Vietnam(13C)

This paper will explore the popular Vietnamese notion of 'grievous death' and the related cultural practices that aim to liberate sorrowful souls from such conditions. Some of these practices emphasize ritual communication between the ghosts of violently-killed war dead and their living relatives and neighbors in which the victims relate their individual death experience to the community before they can transform into ancestors or community guardian spirits. The paper will examine the idea that a traumatic death experience causes conditions of injustice in the afterlife and the theatrical demonstration of this idea in the popular ritual and narrative engagement with the ghosts of the American War.

Organized panel, English
Lafleur, William

University of Pennsylvania, USA

(06I)

The paper will focus on something on a question that I think clearly differentiates bioethical discussions in Japan from those in the U.S, namely whether humans should take control of their own evolution as the capacities to do so increase. I will review Japanese critics/critiques of the notion of "engineered evolution." I will argue that, since religious authorities in Japan have never had more than minor complaints about the concept of evolution, an eagerness to respect the kind of slow and steady "experimentation" that is involved in the emergence of species to them seems compromised by those, especially in England and the US, who want to accelerate and engineer species change. This approach differs considerably from that of religionists in the West.

Organized panel, English