The pragmatism of Japanese religions is well known. Here, I consider the experimental tendency as evidenced in the Japanese new religion Mahikari; namely, the idea that ritual effects may be tested in experimental trials. By means of a...
moreThe pragmatism of Japanese religions is well known. Here, I consider the experimental tendency as evidenced in the Japanese new religion Mahikari; namely, the idea that ritual effects may be tested in experimental trials. By means of a conceptual contrast between two types of operation - representation and intervention - I argue that Mahikari experiments disclose an understanding of ritual as an empirically verifiable and efficacious practice of producing conversions.
