Recent Jaina Scholarship in Japan

Summary

This document is a detailed survey by Dr. Atsushi Uno on the progress and state of Jaina studies in Japan. It explores the historical neglect of Jainism in Japanese academia, contrasts with Buddhism, highlights philosophical intersections, and catalogs recent scholarly contributions and institutional efforts. Key Highlights 1. Context and Background i) Jainism, though older than Buddhism, remains underrepresented in Japanese scholarship. ii) Japanese understanding of Indian philosophy was historically synonymous with Buddhism, primarily through Chinese translations. iii) Buddhist sources often misrepresented Jainism to elevate Buddhist doctrine, a problem also present in other inter-religious polemics. 2. Nature of Japanese Jaina Studies i) Focus has been mainly philosophical, emphasizing logic and epistemology (e.g., syādvāda, naya, nikṣepa). ii) Younger scholars studying abroad (especially in Gujarat) are bridging gaps, sometimes learning directly from Jain monks. 3. Notable Figures and Milestones i) Shigenobu Suzuki (1890–1920): Translated Jaina scriptures into Japanese. ii) Prof. Ensho Kanakura: Authored significant books comparing Jainism with other Indian systems. iii) Successors like Seiren Matsunami and Hajime Nakamura continued Jaina studies. 4. Institutional Support i) Society for Jaina Studies founded in 1986. ii) Hosts annual paper readings. iii) Exchanges global research updates. iv) Publishes a yearly journal (The Journal of Jaina Studies, Vol. 1 in 1995).