Reflections on the State of Mind in Mahayana Buddhism and Islam: Between Earthly Desires and Love
Basic Research Division
Specific Research Grants (Joint)
Reflections on the State of Mind in Mahayana Buddhism and Islam: Between Earthly Desires and Love.
FY 2025 to FY 2026
Principal Investigator
Tosei Sano (Professor, Faculty of International Studies, Ryukoku University)
Co-Investigators
Mitsuya Dake (Professor, Faculty of International Studies, Ryukoku University)
Takeshi Yokoyama (Assistant Professor, University of Tsukuba)
Sepideh Afrashteh (PD, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)
Research Type
Joint Research
Overview
This comparative study will examine the states of mind regarding enlightenment and salvation to explore points of contact between Buddhism and Islam. In Buddhism, it was believed that during the formative process that gave rise to Mahayana Buddhism, mental aspects known as earthly desires had to be overcome in order to attain enlightenment. In Islam, some of these desires were not initially viewed negatively as human desires. In Islamic mysticism, however, they came to be viewed negatively from an ascetic standpoint. On the other hand, love as a state of mind leading to enlightenment is perceived positively in Mahayana Buddhism as the compassion of Amida Buddha through the chanting of the Nembutsu and our feeling of love for Buddha, and in Islam as mutual love between self and God through mystical prayer. This study will explore the common ground between the two religions in terms of salvation through the compassion of God and Buddha for humanity, which finds itself caught between earthly desires and love. It will also provide clues for the coexistence of these religions.