Forms of Buddhist Activism in Meiji Japan

This paper is devoted to the study of forms of Buddhist activism via a case study of four Japanese Buddhists who were involved in the social and political problems of Meiji era society and left written testimonies about their opinions on this matter. The subjects of the study are Daidō Chōan (1843-1908), Watanabe Kaikyoku (1872-1933), Uchiyama Gudō (1874-1911) and Takagi Kenmyō (1864-1911); the main methods are multiple-case study, biographical analysis and hermeneutical analysis of several primary textual sources. The paper implements theoretical framework of religious activism as a form of social action of both individual and collective religious actors, motivated by the aspiration for a better life and/or opposition to what is perceived by these actors as social injustice and inequality [Darieva, Kormina, 2024, p. 3]. Two important forms of Buddhist activism have been examined. The first one is philanthropy and social work, associated with the idea of charitable giving, both of labour and of material goods, for the benefit of others. The second one is activism of Buddhist socialism, inspired by left-wing political ideology, mainly by the ideas of social justice and universal equality.