The Free Religion Institute continues its inaugural e-learning season with the third session of Rev. Andrew Brown’s exploration of Japanese free religion through the work of Imaoka Shin’ichirō. This course examines how Imaoka’s ideas have shaped liberal religious thought in Japan, with previous sessions now available as recordings for IARF members.
We’re excited to announce that several new courses are in development and will begin within the next three months, further expanding our educational offerings on free religion and related topics.
All Institute materials are available to IARF members registered on our community platform. If you don’t have an account yet, you can set it up for free.
For more information about the Institute and its mission, please visit our Free Religion Institute page.
Imaoka Shin’ichirō and Free Religions
Rev. Andrew Brown’s course continues with an exciting third session exploring the practical dimensions of Imaoka’s free religious approach. Recordings and materials from previous sessions are available to registered members through our e-learning platform.
Enroll in CourseSession 3: Imaoka Shin’ichirō’s explicit, implicit and hoped-for free-religious practices
Exploring Seiza Meditation, weekly gatherings, Principles of Living, educational pilgrimages, and more
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM UK time
How to Join This Session
To participate in this enriching exploration of Imaoka’s religious practices, please enroll in the course through our Free Religion Institute platform. The session will delve into fascinating practices including:
- Seiza Meditation (the Quiet Sitting method learned from Okada Torajiro)
- Weekly talk and Q&A sessions at the Tokyo Kiitsu Kyōkai
- The recitation of Imaoka’s eight “Principles of Living”
- Educational journeys and pilgrimages
- Walking in nature and aesthetic practices like calligraphy
- Imaoka’s vision for free-religious ceremonies and music
About the Instructor: Rev. Andrew James Brown
A philosophically/theologically inclined writer with deep sympathies towards Imaoka Shin’ichirō’s understanding of creative, inquiring, free and liberative spirituality (jiyū shūkyō 自由宗教), Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, Konkokyo, Christian non-theism, D. G. Leahy’s “thinking now occurring for the first time”, a Lucretian inspired religious naturalism, new materialism and Kyoto School philosophy. Beyond his academic pursuits, Rev. Brown is also a photographer, cyclist, walker and jazz bass player, serving as the minister of a small, liberal, free religious community in Cambridge (UK).
Membership Information
This course is free for all IARF members, including members of our member organizations, chapters, and individual members. You can find all member organizations and chapters on our member organizations page, and apply for individual membership through our membership form.
Keep an eye out for announcements about our upcoming courses launching within the next three months. We’re developing new content to further explore free religion across different traditions and perspectives.
