On the Social Function of the Medieval Temple : A Case Study of Koya-san

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Other Title
  • 中世寺院の社会的機能についての一考察 : 高野山を例として
  • チュウセイ ジイン ノ シャカイテキ キノウ ニ ツイテ ノ イチコウサツ コ

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Abstract

This paper tries to explicate the function of Japanese medieval temples through a case study of the Koya-san Buddhist temple complex. (1)There were a number of groups of Buddhist priests connected with Koya-san. Each of the groups formed congregations for the purpose of expressing their will. There was also a central organization, Daishu-e, which consisted of all these groups. Furthermore, there was a special group among them called Shoshu-e, which was formed by the children of the warriors in the Koya District. Because it held a great deal more military and economic power than any of the other groups, the Shoshu-e took the leading role in the Daishu-e central organization. (2)The proprietary control exercised by Koya-san was done by a land apportionment system promoted by the group known as Bundenshu, most of whose members came from the Shoshu-e. By means of this new system of control, resident proprietors were able to avoid direct confrontation with self-governing villages (so-son), while at the same time opening the way to participation in the affairs of thier lord, Koya-san itself. This new system was also an attempt to insure their rights and interests within village communities. From these two points, the author concludes that the major political force within Koya-san consisted of the warrior class resident proprietors of the Shoshu-e. The characteristics of their movements centering on Koya-san can be best represented as "Ichimi" (acting together). The notion of "Ichimi" was strongly connected with "Wago" (peaceful coexistence), which is one of the ideas of Buddhism. It is precisely because the warriors thought that temples imbued with the notion of "Wago" would be the most suitable place for the state of "Ichimi" that they gathered within Koya-san. Therefore the temple functioned socially as a core of equality during the Middle Ages.

Journal

  • SHIGAKU ZASSHI

    SHIGAKU ZASSHI 95 (4), 502-527,589-58, 1986

    The Historical Society of Japan

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