Description
Book SynopsisA groundbreaking study of prison religion, Karma and Punishment introduces a form of chaplaincy rooted in the Buddhist concept of doctrinal admonition. Through research and fieldwork, Adam Lyons uncovers a dimension of Buddhist modernism that developed as Japan's religious organizations carved out a niche as defenders of society by fighting crime.
Trade ReviewIn this meticulously researched, thoughtfully composed book, Adam J. Lyons examines the relation between religion and the state in Japan through the lens of prison chaplaincy…An important contribution to a lively conversation among scholars of Japanese religions around the entanglements between religion and other spheres of social life. -- Melissa Anne-Marie Curley * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *
Lyons’ book is a must-read for scholars of religion and law who want to understand the modern history of Japan’s church-state relationship as it plays out in the domain of crime and punishment…Now that Lyons has ably laid the groundwork, future scholars of religion in Japan will certainly want to explore additional dimensions of this fascinating topic. -- Jessica Starling * Religious Studies Review *
This book offers a valuable and fascinating case study through which to analyze religion-state relations in modern Japan…Lyons’ honest and beautifully written account of the conflicts prison chaplains feel gives this superb and field-defining history of prison chaplaincy in Japan more than just academic heft. -- Timothy Benedict * Contemporary Japan *
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Karma and Punishment] not only makes a major contribution towards filling a gap within the broader debates regarding crime and punishment, but it also makes a compelling and fascinating argument about the role of religion in the establishment of the modern prison and probation system and its continuing influence on public perceptions of justice. This is a fascinating story…Impressive and original…A must-read for anyone who is interested in these topics. -- Jason Danely * International Institute for Asian Studies *
This volume provides a comprehensive perspective on Japanese prison chaplaincy and the dynamic relationship between religions and the state. It is a must-read for scholars of Japanese religions. -- Marzia Alteno * Religious Studies Review *
