Compassionate Cults?
Chapter One: Introduction.
Throughout East Asian history there have been examples of new religious movements which are able to mobilize followers to perform specific actions. The success or failure of such groups is dependent on numerous factors. One of the fundamental reasons for the success of a religious movement is the authenticity of its authority. Legitimate authority has been described in three ways by Weber; that of traditional authority, the rational-legal form of authority and charismatic authority. New religious movements tend to form under the basis of charismatic authority which is then legitimated through the acceptance of the leader’s abilities by the followers.
This thesis will explore the commonalities between three contemporary new religious movements which were founded in East Asia and offer a variation on Buddhist teachings, yet remain centred on the authority of the leader. Sōka Gakkai was founded in Japan in the 1930’s by Tsunesaburo Makiguchia with a theory of value creating education. Tzu Chi was founded in Taiwan in 1966 by Master Zhengyan on the guiding principle to “help the poor and educate the rich.” Aum Shinrikyō was founded in Japan in 1984 by Shoko Asahara in order to fight the evil in the world.
The thesis will draw on trends that discuss the terms charisma and cult in order to see manifestations of these in the context of East Asian Buddhist movements. As Lindholm notes, placing the ‘discourse of charisma’ into a theoretical framework is complex as it is used in a variety of contexts, yet this thesis favours Weber’s understanding of charisma, which is “supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional.” The term cult will be discussed in order to understand the difference between what is deemed a cult, sect or religion and this will directly relate to the understanding of the specific movements.
Buddhism allows for a syncretism of ideas which is shown by its history of converging with new
Throughout East Asian history there have been examples of new religious movements which are able to mobilize followers to perform specific actions. The success or failure of such groups is dependent on numerous factors. One of the fundamental reasons for the success of a religious movement is the authenticity of its authority. Legitimate authority has been described in three ways by Weber; that of traditional authority, the rational-legal form of authority and charismatic authority. New religious movements tend to form under the basis of charismatic authority which is then legitimated through the acceptance of the leader’s abilities by the followers.
This thesis will explore the commonalities between three contemporary new religious movements which were founded in East Asia and offer a variation on Buddhist teachings, yet remain centred on the authority of the leader. Sōka Gakkai was founded in Japan in the 1930’s by Tsunesaburo Makiguchia with a theory of value creating education. Tzu Chi was founded in Taiwan in 1966 by Master Zhengyan on the guiding principle to “help the poor and educate the rich.” Aum Shinrikyō was founded in Japan in 1984 by Shoko Asahara in order to fight the evil in the world.
The thesis will draw on trends that discuss the terms charisma and cult in order to see manifestations of these in the context of East Asian Buddhist movements. As Lindholm notes, placing the ‘discourse of charisma’ into a theoretical framework is complex as it is used in a variety of contexts, yet this thesis favours Weber’s understanding of charisma, which is “supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional.” The term cult will be discussed in order to understand the difference between what is deemed a cult, sect or religion and this will directly relate to the understanding of the specific movements.
Buddhism allows for a syncretism of ideas which is shown by its history of converging with new