VIETNAM ACADEMYOF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATEACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES NGUYEN NGOC PHUONG TRANG THE PROCESS OF FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE NEW RELIGION MOVEMENTS
Trang 1VIETNAM ACADEMYOF SOCIAL SCIENCES
GRADUATEACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
NGUYEN NGOC PHUONG TRANG
THE PROCESS OF FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE NEW RELIGION MOVEMENTS IN JAPAN IN THE PERIOD AFTER WORLD WAR II TO 2018
Major: World History Code: 92 29 011
SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS IN HISTORY
Hanoi - 2020
Trang 2The thesis is completed
at:
…
Science instructor:
Reviewer 1: Prof.Dr Hoang Khac Nam
Reviewer 2: Prof.Dr Tran Thi Vinh
Reviewer3: Assoc.Prof.Dr Nguyen Hoang Giap
The thesis will be defended in front of the Academy’s Thesis
Assessment Council at
at hour minute, date month year 20
The thesis can be found at:
- National Library of Vietnam
- Library of Graduate Academy of Social Sciences
Trang 3PREFACE
1 Urgency of the project
“New religion” is a term that appeared from the second half of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century in many countries around the world Around this term, the managers and researchers of each country have a different approach In Japan, although there are many different views on what a “new religion” is, the strong development of these phenomena after World War II in this country is undeniable Many new religions formed before the War took advantage of to promote their activities beside new religions that were appearing “like mushrooms after the rain” Japanese and international researchers have started using the term “new religious movements” when referring to this phenomenon in the sense that the new religious practice has become a trend that attracts many people to join in, has a clear impact on the spiritual life of many people in society The massive emergence of new religious organizations, the participation of a number
of new religious organizations in political and economic life, and even some religious organizations that advocate and carry out violent terrorism created a very complicated social problem, seriously threatening security in Japan in the late twentieth century The Japanese Government has made great efforts and achieved remarkable results in finding timely solutions in the field of religious management, ensuring the principle of religious freedom while maintaining religious activities within the framework of the law Although the development of new religions in Japan has become stable, it is very necessary to theoretically and practically study the process of its formation and development, and evaluate its social impact from the perspective of historical research to comprehend comprehensively and have an appropriate attitude to deal with it In Vietnam, the development of the market economy, urbanization and population movement from rural to urban areas, etc
Trang 4have led to many great changes in all aspects of social life, including the religious life The study of the formation and development as well as the social impact of the Japanese new religion will certainly give us the theoretical and practical basis to recognize and evaluate the phenomenon of new religions in a more complete way Therefore, I
have chosen: “The process of formation and development, and social impacts of the New Religious Movements in Japan after World War II
to 2018” as the title of my doctoral thesis in World History
2 The thesis’s research objectives andtasks:
To achieve the above objectives, the thesis must solve the
following tasks: Firstly, to clarify theoretical and practical problems as
a basis for studying the new religious movements in Japan after World
War II up to now Secondly, to analyze the formation and development
of the new religious movements in Japan through the historical periods
from World War II to 2018 Thirdly, to evaluate the role and social
impact of the new religious movements after World War II to 2018
3 Research objects and scope of the thesis
3.1 Research objects of the thesis
The thesis studies the new religious movements in Japan after World War II to 2018, focusing on typical new religious organizations
and social impacts of this movement
3.2 Research scope of the thesis
- In terms of space: the thesis analyzes in-depth the new religious movements in Japan
Trang 5- In terms of time: the thesis focuses on the formation and development of the new religious movements afterWWII to 2018
4 Methodology and research method of the thesis
4.1 Methodology of the thesis
Based on the theoretical basis of Marxism-Leninism on religion, and the views of the Communist Party of Vietnam on religious work
4.2 Research method of the thesis
The thesis uses the following research methods:
+ Historical method
+ Logical method
+ Comparative method
+ Case study method (Case study)
+ Expert method and field survey method
5 New scientific contributions of the thesis
- Analyze and present systematically the process of formation and development of the new religious movements in Japan after World War
II to 2018 as well as draw out the features of this movement
- Evaluate the impact of the new religious movements on Japanese society in both positive and negative aspects
- The thesis is added to the source of documents serving the research and teaching of world history, Japanese studies, and religious studies in Vietnam
6 Theoretical and practical significance of the thesis
6.1 Theoretical significance
The thesis contributes to the clarification of some theoretical issues in Japanese religious studies in general and Japanese new religion studies in particular
6.2 Practical significance
The thesis provides references on new religions in Japan today for research and teaching in religious history, and Japanese studies The
Trang 6thesis suggests an approach in the study of new religious phenomena in Vietnam
7 Structure of the thesis
In addition to the introduction, conclusion, references and appendices, the thesis is divided into four chapters:
Chapter 1: Overview of research situation
Chapter 2: Theoretical and practical basis for studying the new
religious movements in Japan after World War II to 2018
Chapter 3: The process of formation and development of the new
religious movements in Japan after World War II to 2018
Chapter 4: Features and social impacts of the new religious
movements in Japan
CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH SITUATION
1.1 Research works on new religions in Japan
1.1.1 Research works on traditional religions
Among the research works on traditional Japanese religion
published domestically in Vietnamese, some works can be mentioned
such as History of Japanese Buddhism (Religion Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002) by Giac Dung, The influence of Buddhism on the spiritual life in Japanese society (National Political Publishing House, Hanoi,
2011) by Nguyen Thi Thuy Anh Research on Shintoism - an inherent traditional Japanese religion is also an area with a lot of remarkable domestic research works Regarding to foreign author’s document, the
article can be mentioned is Japanese religion, extracted and translated from the book “Japanese religion”, a research work of the Bureau of
Citizens and Cultural Affairs (Journal of Religious Studies, No 1/1999)
1.1.2 Research works on new religions
With reference to research works with in-depth analysis of a typical new religious organization in Japan, we can mention the article
Trang 7Issues of entering politics of Soka Gakkai sect (Journal of Northeast
Asian Studies, No 7/2013) by Duong Kim Oanh Some articles about this Aum Shinrikyo sect were translated into Vietnam, such as the
article Religion to the court, the end of Aum Shinrikyo sect by
DWBrakett (Journal of Religious Studies, No 5/2001), the article
Social psychology about “spiritual control by sect” by Nishida Kimiaki
in “Application of psychology in Japan” (Co-editor: Vu Dung - Phan
Thi Mai Huong - Ito Tetsuji - Yamamoto Toshiya, Polytechnic Dictionary Publishing House, Hanoi, 2005)
Regarding to English documents, it’s possible to mention the book New Religions, Contemporary Paper in Japanese Religion-2, Research
Institute of Japanese Traditional and Culture, Kokugakuin University,
Japan, 1991) edited by Inoue Nobutaka In particular, the article Recent Trends in the Study of Japanese New Religions by Inoue Nobutaka has
elaborated and analyzed quite in detail and definitions of what is meant
by “new religions” With reference to Japanese works, it’s possible to
mention the book Read-understand new religions (1992) by Inoue
Nobutaka
1.2 Research works on the impact of new religions in Japan 1.2.1 Research works assessing the impact of new religions on Japanese socio-political life
First of all, it’s the article The impact of religion on Japanese political life in the 90s of the twentieth century by Nguyen Thi Thuy Anh (Journal of Japanese and Northeast Asian Studies, No 3/2001), Modern Japanese Religions: Movements of Religious Freedom by Tran
Van Trinh (Journal of Buddhist Studies, No 1/2007) With direct reference to the impact of new religions on socio-political life, it’s the
bookJapanese religious life today (Social Sciences Publishing House,
Hanoi, 2005), edited by Pham Hong Thai, the book has given a number
of major problems that appear in the Japanese religious life since 1945
Trang 8to present, including the outbreak of new religions, the social impact of this movement, and which religious policies given by the Japanese Government to suit the reality The number of works translated into Vietnamese is quite small, only the article by Hirochika Nakamaki with
the title Japanese people and religion: Approach from a consumer perspective (Journal of Religious Studies, No 4/2001), mentioned the
fact that the Japanese consider religion as apractical matter, related to reality, and show the self-interested nature of the Japanese Regarding
to English research works studying the influence of Japanese new religions on socio-political life in recent decades, can mention the book
Japanese New Religions in Global Perspective (Curzon Press, UK, 2000) edited by Peter B Clarke
1.2.2 Research works assessing the impact of new religions on Japanese government policies
The article by Pham Hong Thai with the title Learn about the Japanese State's Religious policies in the book “State and church”
(Editor: Do Quang Hung, Religion Publishing House, Hanoi, 2003) The next one is the Master’s thesis in Asian studies by Duong Kim
Oanh, with the title Religious policies of Japan in the period of 1945 to
1951 (defended at the Master’s Thesis Assessment Council of Asian
Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University, 2013) Regarding to foreign
authors, there is a book by Sakurai Yoshihide, Inquiries about the “Cult”
- the danger named “Freedom of religion”(信教の自由というリスク), Central Publication Publishing House, Japan, 2006)
「カルト」を問い直す-1.3 Results achieved and issues to be studied
Through researching domestic and foreign studies on new religions in Japanafter World War II, some remarks can be made as follows:
Trang 91.3.1 Results achieved
In general, research works on Japanese religions in general and new religions in particular, have made some remarks and assessments that are quite useful for those who start to deeply learn about this field
In particular, there have been many research works on a number of prominent new religious organizations, helping readers get an initial view of the new religions - a prominent movement in Japanese religious life after World War II With many different approaches and perspectives, this is a vast field with many useful works, in-depth understanding, analysis, and meticulous assessment of new religions in Japan after World War II, as well as the effects on social life, and the development steps of these organizations
1.3.2 Issues that have not been clarified
- There is no systematic research providing a comprehensive and universalview of the process of formation and development, characteristics and social impacts of this movement in Japan
- In terms of documents, documents in Vietnamese and translated into Vietnamese are quite few and general, they only introduce the history of Japanese religion and the features of each period, without much mention about new religions
- There are in-depth studies on the Aum Shinrikyo Sect - a new sect of negative nature, but these have not helped readers understand the new religious movements in Japan after World War II, but only illustrated a typical sect
- There are some articles about specific new religious organizations, but they are still sporadic, not systematic
- Although Japanese documents are very diverse, they mainly analyze new religious in terms of psychology or sociology
1.3.3 Issues to be studied by the thesis
- Firstly, it’s necessary to clarify the context forming the new
religious movements after World War II
Trang 10- Secondly, analyzing the development process of the new
religious movements in Japanafter World War II to 2018 by each specific historical period From the practical development of these periods, draw out the common characteristics of the new religious movements
- Thirdly, analyzing the movement’s impact on Japanese social
lifein both the positive and the negative sides
- Fourthly, relating to the practice of religious life in Vietnam in
the context of “Doi moi”
CHAPTER 2 THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL BASIS FOR STUDYING THE NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS IN JAPAN AFTER
WORLD WAR II TO 2018 2.1 Theoretical basis
2.1.1 Definition of religion
There are many definitions of religion from theological, philosophical and sociological, biological and psychological perspectives and in fact, it is considered a pervasive cultural phenomenon According to the author, the most complete definition of
religion is that of Friedrich Engels: “All religion, however, is nothing but the fantastic reflection in men's minds of those external forces which control their daily life, a reflection in which the terrestrial forces assume the form of supernatural forces”
2.1.2 Definition of new religion and new religious movement
Like the definition of religion, the definition of new religion is quite diverse Definition of the Japanese religious researcher Nishiyama
Shigeru in his book “Types and characteristics of new religions”can be seen asthe most complete definition of new religion, which is“The creation of new religious forms, relatively different from existing religious forms, compensates and resolves human conflicts with society due to rapid social upheaval Since the nineteenth century, in many
Trang 11places over the world, there has been an increase in the institutional formation of this type of religion with the subject of the masses of the people.” According to the thesis’s author, new religions in Japan are
“Religions formedin the social context with many complicated changes, different from traditional religions, meeting the spiritual needs of people in the new context New religions have a positive side of providing spiritual support for people, leading them to integrate into the present life, but also have a negative side when the leader abuses the beliefs of believers to gain advantage and make a great negativeimpact on the social security order Japanese new religionsappeared at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, but its boom has been significantly since World War II”
About the definition of new religious movement: On the basis that
movement is an prevailing trend, which is favored and pursued by many people, taking place in the field of cultural, ideological, religious life , the thesis’s author said that the “new religious movement”is a new religious trend pursued by a large number of people, creating a certain
impact in the cultural and social life
2.2 Practical basis
2.2.1 International context
2.2.1.1 New religious movement in America
In the 60s and 70s of the twentieth century, new religion was considered a challenge to American cultural and moral foundation The word “Cult” is used with the meaning of suspicion and prejudicewhen it comes to new religion, it means“fanaticism” The public’s skepticism and apprehension towards the new religion in America is understandable, especially when public opinion has been shaken by the mass suicides, abuse of believers, and abuse of children of these sects Recently, although such incidents did not happen again, public apprehension and precaution about new religions in America still exist
Trang 122.2.1.2 New religious movement in Europe
In Europe, the relationship between new religions and European social community is quite challenging and conflicting because of the fact that new religions contradict and even remove cultural values and traditional religions which have become the spiritual and ethical foundation of Western society There are even new anti-religious organizations in most European countries to expose and stop the activities of new religions
2.2.2 Domestic context
On the basis of analyzing domestic context, the thesis has pointed out three main factors affecting the formation and development of the new religious movement after World War II in Japan, they are:
The first is the change in political life and religious policy
In 1945, World War II came to an end The Japanese fascists were pushed back across the battlefields After the Nazis surrendered in Europe in May 1945, the Soviet Union, the US, and Great Britain gathered in Potsdam (Germany) to issue Potsdam Declaration (July 1945) to demand Japan to surrender unconditionally On November 3,
1946, a new Japanese Constitution was announced, replacing the Meiji Constitution (1889) This is the premise for the Religious Juridical Persons Law to be issued in 1951, creating favorable conditions for new religions to operate and develop after the war
The second is the impact of the rapid development on economic life
socio-Japan was under the control of the Allied forces long after the war ended, which was a favorable condition for the Japanese economy These reforms act as preparations for future economic growth However, along with economic development, a number of social problems in Japan arose, as one of thereasons leading to the birth of new religious movement in Japan after World War II
Trang 13The third is the rapid development of urbanization
Urbanization in Japan took place strongly, due to the development
of industries Cities quickly sprung up, young people in rural areas are mostly looking to urban areas, especially big cities to find jobs with higher income when they reach working age Cities are the home to a large number of people who are slowly moving away from their mental and spiritual connection with the traditional religion of their homeland, they encounter mental emptiness and loneliness This is also a factor affecting the rapid development of the new religious movement, because it has provided spiritual support for people who are lonely in a modern society
SUB-CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 2
Through chapter two, we see that the new religious movement in Japan arose after World War II was not a coincidence but had a prior background New religion was born when many changes appeared in the society, creating a need to have a spiritual support to compensate for people’s psychological crisis and inadequacy This is evidenced through the practice of religious life in the world In Japan, after the end of World War II, the change of religious policy towards liberalization, the rapid economic development and urbanization resulted in massive population concentrationin the urban areas are favorable conditions for new religions to be born and spread rapidly, forming a powerful trend in the society
CHAPTER 3 THE PROCESS OF FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS IN JAPAN AFTER
WORLD WAR II TO 2018
The new religious movement in Japan after the war to 2018 has changed through the periods with different characteristics stemming from the specific context of Japanese society The first period, from