Cosmic Sage attempts to weave together Imaoka Shin’ichirō’s life story and his message. It will reveal the spiritual pilgrimage of a Bodhisattva-Kami-Christian-Unitarian-sage, the Emerson of Japan. Each chapter will provide a setting from which Imaoka's thought and insights can be understood. However, his thought and their expressions were never put together in extended studies or systematically developed. Metaphor, paradox and wordplay merit him being compared with Emerson. This book has been written to explore his influence on liberating religious traditions of Japan, to probe the paradoxes in having multiple religious identities, to follow the faith journey of a “student of...

For too long Hawaiian Indigenous religion has been hidden. Kumu Glen Kila, high priest of Kanenuiakea, began presenting the values and practices to faith groups of good will in 2012. In 2013 Kanenuiakea was recognized and received as a member of the world’s oldest interfaith religious organization, the International Association for Religious Freedom. This handbook shares the faith and practice of the Kanenuiakea tradition of the Wai‘anae Wahipana [leeward coast of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i], which has survived persecution, fear, and shaming.

The article discusses the methodological problems in documenting religious change when change is denied, using the early years of Swami Vivekananda as a case study. The author explores the challenges faced by historians when studying religious groups that deny significant change in their development and the life and teachings of their founders. The article examines the historical events, psychological or spiritual development, and patterns of belief and practice in order to shed light on the complexities of documenting religious change. The author argues that hagiographies of Swami Vivekananda have portrayed his life in an archetype of the spiritual hero, but...

The true story of Transylvanian minister-scholar Rev. Dr. Imre Gellerd. This "literature of witness" tells of one victim of Romanian Communism.

This article explores Lay Buddhism's journey over two millennia and its role in peacemaking, arguing that such work isn't an afterthought but an integral part of its belief system. It discusses the transition of Buddhism into a more modern form, liberalizing religious symbols and entering what is known as Bellah's fifth stage of religious development. The piece further examines the 'Bodhisattva way,' positing that anyone, given their inherent buddha-nature, can become a bodhisattva, promoting equality and fostering liberation from suffering through peaceful actions. Niwano's quote at a UN Symposium underscores the continuous evolution of humanity and the rising importance of...

The Quest for Meaning is the digital publication of a pioneering study of Svāmī Vivekānanda's spiritual journey, carefully looking at his evolution as a Brāhmo Samaji, a skeptic, a follower of Hindu gurus and teachers, and finally the hero of the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893.  Modern scholarship on Svāmī Vivekānanda has used this 1974 study as a foundation to open new understanding about the Hindu Renaissance and its leading exponent.

This book is a compilation of works addressing the Unitarianism in Transylvania during the tumultuous period under Ceausescu's regime. Sourced predominantly from previously published Hungarian materials to ensure safety for Prof. John Erdo, the writer, this collection sheds light on the survival of Transylvanian Unitarianism amidst intense state-led persecution. These writings offer a unique blend of church history and theology. The historical section, penned under strict state censorship, provides a nuanced "in-house" account of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church's journey. In contrast, the theological segment revisits foundational Unitarian topics, exemplifying the church's enduring spirit even in oppressive circumstances. Notably, Prof. Erdo's...

The article discusses the journey of Swami Vivekananda and his role at the World's Parliament of Religions. It describes his unique combination of qualities including his role as a monk, scholar, warrior, explorer, and missionary. The article also explores the different perspectives of Vivekananda's participation in the Parliament, with some seeing him as a minor participant and others viewing him as a symbol of the event. The author examines Vivekananda's mission to defend and reform Hinduism and how his defense of idealized Hinduism overshadowed his efforts at reform. The article concludes by discussing Vivekananda's use of four different concepts to...

Svami Vivekananda, a key representative of the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893, stood as a symbol of tensions that would unravel over the century. Dressed in royal garb gifted by the Maharaja of Khetri and representing a Brahmin sannyasin from Bombay, he embodied a unique blend of identities, as he was in fact a kshatriya and a follower of Shri Ramakrishna of Calcutta. Despite taking a vow of poverty, Vivekananda attended the Parliament with a mission to raise funds for India. At just 30 years old, he was the youngest of the religious leaders present and was noted...

Despite adhering to ancient teachings, Vivekananda's novel contribution lies in the application of these principles to solve social problems, offering a practical Vedanta approach. He promoted liberation from suffering through knowledge of one's true nature as the Unmanifested and encouraged action in the world without selfish motives for the benefit of all beings. He foresaw a future where the principles of Vedanta would revolutionize society, and everyone would grow according to their own nature, realizing their divinity. Vivekananda's teachings stressed the unity of existence, pushing for liberation from dualistic customs and superstitions, which he believed would lead to a harmonious...