NCC Center for the Study of Japanese Religions, Kyoto Japanese
Interreligious Studies in Japan Program (ISJP)

Preparing students to encounter people of different religions and cultures
Visiting Mount Koya (Shingon School)
In response to global tensions among religions today, the Interreligious Studies in Japan Program (ISJP) offers systematic study of Japanese religions and provides opportunities for interreligious dialogue. Its aim is to promote mutual understanding as a basis for peaceful coexistence and cooperation.

One semester consists of courses on Shinto, Buddhism, reading a classic Buddhist text in translation, New Religions, Japanese Christianity, Theology of Religions, and introduction to the Japanese language. Theoretical studies are supplemented by an exposure program consisting of field trips to various religious centers and meetings with their representatives. Attending one semester offers basic information, while participation in two semesters provides broader knowledge.

The goal is to widen the students’ perspectives towards other religions and to deepen their own faith in order to build peace among people of different religions. To get a better understanding of past ISJP activities, see also our report of previous semesters.

ISJP Fall Semester 2006

Courses held from October 10 to December 15:
  1. Shinto and Folk Religion (Prof. Peter Knecht, Nanzan University):
    Wednesdays, 13:15 - 16:30 (two classews every other week)
  2. Japanese Buddhism (Prof. Robert Rhodes, Otani University):
    Fridays, 10:45 - 12:15
  3. Japanese New Religions (Prof. Martin Repp, Ryukoku University):
    Tuesdays, 15:00 - 16:30
  4. Japanese Christianity and Theology (Prof. Yuki Hideo, Doshisha University; Prof. Mizugaki Wataru, Kyoto University):
    Thursdays, 10:45 - 12:15
  5. Theology of Religions (Prof. Jan van Bragt, Nanzan University):
    Thursdays, 13:15 - 14:45
  6. Reading a Classical Buddhist Text in English Translation: The Lotus Sutra (Prof. Michael Pye, Marburg University / Otani University):
    Tuesdays, 10:45 - 12:15

Students who want to attend the entire ISJP Program should follow the proper application procedure.

Students in the Kansai area who want to participate only in selected courses apply directly (PDF, 34 kB) at the NCC Study Center.

Participation fee per course (10 weeks): ¥10.000
(students of K-GURS: ¥8.000)

Fall Semester: Fall SemesterDetailed Curriculum

  1. Shinto
  2. Japanese Buddhism*
  3. Japanese New Religions*
  4. Christianity in Japan
  5. Theology of Religions
  6. Reading a classic Japanese Buddhist text in English translation*
  7. Basic Japanese language

*The contents are organized in such a way that the two semesters do not overlap but complement each other.

Program Overview

Spring Semester: Spring SemesterDetailed Curriculum

  1. Folk Religion
  2. Japanese Buddhism*
  3. Japanese New Religions*
  4. Japanese Theology and Philosophy
  5. Theories of Interreligious Dialogue
  6. Reading a classic Japanese Buddhist text in English translation*
  7. Basic Japanese language

Fall Semester: Fall SemesterDetailed Curriculum

  1. Shinto
  2. Japanese Buddhism*
  3. Japanese New Religions*
  4. Christianity in Japan
  5. Theology of Religions
  6. Reading a classic Japanese Buddhist text in English translation*
  7. Basic Japanese language

*The contents are organized in such a way that the two semesters do not overlap but complement each other.

 Exposure Program
  • Regular fieldtrips to Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, headquarters of new religions, and Christian churches.
  • Dialogue meetings with representatives of other religions.
  • Possibilities to experience Buddhist meditation practice (zazen), to attend religious ceremonies and festivals, and to participate in activities of Japanese churches.
  • Additional lectures by experts on special themes.
  • One-week trip to Tokyo in the fall semester.
Periods

One semester consists of two weeks of orientation (general introduction) and ten weeks of regular courses. Fall semester: September – December, spring semster: April – July.

 Participants

ISJP is designed for university students who are interested in the study of religions in Japan as well as in the experience of interreligious dialogue. The following are especially welcome: undergraduate and graduate students of theology, religious studies, religious education, Japanese studies, and Eastern philosophy.

Requirements
  • interest in interreligious dialogue
  • flexibility in cross-cultural communication
  • willingness to adapt to life in a foreign culture
  • solid knowledge of English
  • secured financing (scholarship, etc.)
Instead of participating in the whole program, it is also possible to attend one (or more) class(es) of one’s choice. For more information, please contact the Coordinator.
Credits

Participants receive certificates for each class as well as for the whole program. Students, who write a paper on a subject agreed with the teacher receive credited certificates.

Living Costs & Tuition

Living costs including accommodation are a minimum of ¥120,000 per month.
Tuition is ¥100,000 per semester.

Application

Please fill in the application form (PDF file, 64 kB) in English; enclose your curriculum vitae (including university studies, hobbies and volunteer activities); a letter of recommendation by a professor; photocopy of passport for visa application (validity minimum one year); letter of guarantee for sufficient financial support (e.g. scholarship).

Application Deadlines

March 31 for fall semester, October 31 for spring semester (exceptions are possible in special cases).

Please send your applications to the Program Coordinator. Candidates should apply for visas at a Japanese embassy or consulate in their home countries. The proper category is “cultural visa” (bunka visa).

Faculty and Board

Faculty

The teachers of this program are experts in their field and have been selected by the Advisory and Executive Committee. The names of previous lecturers are listed in the reports.

ISJP Board Members

Prof. em. Jan van Bragt (former Director of the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture)
Dr. Peter Baekelmans (Oriens Institute)
Prof. Fujimoto Kiyohiko (Bukkyo University)
Prof. Higuchi Susumu (Kwansei Gakuin University)
Prof. Katayanagi Eiichi (Kyoto University)
Prof. em. Maejima Munetoshi (Kwansei Gakuin University, former General Secretary of the NCC-J)
Prof. Mizutani Makoto (Doshisha University)
Prof. em. Mizugaki Wataru (Kyoto University)
Prof. Nakamichi Motoo (Kwansei Gakuin University)
Prof. Robert Rhodes (Otani University)
Prof. Takada Shinryo (Ryukoku University)
Prof. em. Yuki Hideo (Doshisha University, former Director of the NCC Study Center)

Executive Board

Prof. em. Hayashi Tadayoshi, Coordinator (Kwansei Gakuin University)
Prof. Miyasho Tetsuo (Doshisha University)
Prof. Martin Repp, Communication (Ryukoku University)
Rev. Teramoto Tomomasa, Secretary (Nishi Hongan-ji)

Contact

Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions or comments:
Full CurriculumSend us an email
Phone/Fax: +81-(0)75-432-1945

NCC Center for the Study of Japanese Religions
Interreligious Studies in Japan Program (ISJP)
Attn. Coordinator
Karasuma Shimotachiuri, Kamikyo-ku
Kyoto 602-8011, JAPAN
Recommendations for ISJP

  • I am happy to learn of this new ecumenical initiative you are undertaking in order to answer the need of good and sound interreligious dialogue which we Christians must continue to promote. There is certainly need for a solid theological foundation for dialogue with people of other religions and their religious traditions. Please accept my congratulations for these efforts towards training Christian leaders in interreligious dialogue.
    Msgr. Michael Fitzgerald † (Pontificial Council for Interreligious Dialogue)
  • More than 100 years ago, the British poet Kipling wrote a verse which would subsequently enter the English language: “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet.” Much has changed since then. East regularily meets West. The phenomenon known as globalization, driven in large part by recent technological progress, has led to an exposure of the West in the East and vice versa. To avoid pitfalls and ensure challenges facing both East and West are taken seriously, an intentional study of the significance of culture and religion, community and society in both East and West is needed. It seems to me that that the project of EMS and the NCC Center for the Study of Japanese Religions in Kyoto is an important step in this direction. Through this project, I hope, there will be opportunities to learn about how best to live in a world of globalization, appreciating differences and finding new ways of together addressing challenges to our interdependent world.
    Prof. Dr. Konrad Raiser, former General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Geneva