Ryuichi Abe
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Ryuichi Abé. Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions at Harvard University. Until May 2005, he was Professor of Japanese religions and Buddhism of East Asia at Columbia University, where he received the Philip and Ruth Hettleman Award for distinguished teaching.
Professor Abé, through his teaching and books, has made an important contribution to the Western understanding of Japanese Buddhism. His book on Kūkai underscores Kūkai’s impact on 9th century Japanese society. At a time when Confucian discourse dominated Japan, Kūkai developed a “voice” for Buddhism. He has also written about Ryōkan, and Saichō.
[edit] Books
- The Weaving of Mantra : Kūkai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse. 1999.
- Great Fool: Zen Master Ryokan: Poems, Letters, and Other Writings (with Peter Haskel). 1996.
- Saicho and Kukai: A Conflict of Interpretations.