Members of the staff and visiting scholars are always welcome to conduct a seminar on their own research, or make a presentation of their research for discussion and criticism. Occasionally, a scholar from another Japanese university will conduct one of these seminars.
For the past several years some members of the staff have organized seminars and reading circles on their own, or with the assistance of outside scholars, for the general public (see below). Meetings are usually held twice a month for two hours. and are free of charge.
IN-HOUSE SEMINARS
Although most of our visiting scholars and junior research fellows, as well as the permanent fellows, have delivered in-house seminars over the years, only long-term seminars are listed here. Even so, this list is far from complete.
Seminars for the General Public
Erica BAFFELLI
On 11 May 2012, Dr. Baffelli, reader at Otago University in New Zealand, presented a seminar on “Being there without Being there: Agonshū’s Rituals and Satellite Broadcastings.” The event was co-sponsored part of a project on “The Internationalization of Japanese Studies, subsidized by a grant-in-aid from the Japanese Society for Scientific ResearchPhilip BLOSSER
On 18 September 2013, Dr. Blosser, professor of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, held a seminar on “Person and God in Scheler and Nishitani”.Clark CHILSON
During his stay at the Institute as a JSPS researcher from to August 2007 to July 2008, Clark Chilson offered a number of seminars on his work related to "Secret Shinshū Societies."Antony FERNANDO
During his stay at the Institute in 1995 and 1996 as a Southeast Asian scholar in residence Dr. Fernando delivered a series of bi-monthly seminars on "Christianity for Buddhists." The results are being prepared for publication.James L. FORD
In a seminar held on 9 April 2004 Dr. Ford presented to the Institute staff an outline of his research on "Jōkei and Established Buddhism in Early Medieval Japan."Him Lal GHIMIRE
On 21 December 2016, During Dr. Ghimire made a presentation on "The Economics of Buddhist Pilgrimage: A Comparison of Lumbini, Nepal, and Shikoku," outlining a study completed during his stay as a visiting research fellow.GOTŌ Haruko
An in-house seminar is held on 10 November 2016 with the theme: “Locating Awe: Examples from the Outlying Islands of Okinawa and Northern Kyūshū.”Herbert GUENTHER
During an extended visit to the Institute as a visiting scholar in 1992, Dr. Guenther presented a series of seminars on his recent research into the life and thought of Saraha. The results were subsequently published as Ecstatic Spontaneity: Saraha's three cycles of Dōha.Esther-Maria GUGGENMOS
On 23 May 2013, during a brief visit to the Institute, Dr. Guggenmos of the International Consortium for Research in the Humanities in Erlangen, Germany, shared her research on Chinese Buddhist divination texts.Chris HARDING
On 9 December 2015, Christopher Harding (University of Edinburgh) presents his research on “Buddhism, History, and Culture in the Making of Japanese Psychoanalysis.” The ensuing discussion focused on the work and influence of Kosawa Heisaku, who pioneered the introduction of psychoanalysis in Japan.Victor Sōgen HORI (1)
Professor Hori, a Roche Chair Fellow at the Nanzan Institute in 2009. held a seminar on his book in progress: "Little Jade: Language and Experience in Zen" on 23 September 2009. 11 persons attended.Victor Sōgen HORI (2)
Visiting Research Fellow Victor Sōgen Hori led three seminar discussions on his book manuscript Little Jade: Language and Experience in Zen in June 2013. The topics were “What can and cannot be understood through language in Zen?”, “A performative theory of Zen language,” and “Recent critique of the concept of Zen experience.”Jamie HUBBARD
During his stay as a visiting scholar from 1992 to 1993, Dr. Hubbard presented a series of five seminars on the Sangaikyō.IKEUCHI Suma
On 20 June 2014, IKEUCHI Suma, a graduate student at Emory University, presented a seminar on "Jesus’ Blood over Japanese Blood: Latin American Pentecostalism among (Japanese-) Brazilian Migrants in Contemporary Japan."David JOHNSON (1)
On 24 July 2013, David Johnson, a visiting research fellow addresses the staff on the topic "Perception, Expression, and the Continuity of Being: Some Intersections between Nishida and Gadamer."David JOHNSON (2)
On 1 August 2014, David Johnson, an assistant professor at Boston College addresses the staff on the topic "On Selfhood: With and After Watsuji."William JOHNSTON
During 1994 and 1995, William Johnston traveled to Nanzan for a series of 7 seminars concerning Christian Mysticism from an interreligious perspective. The text of his presentations was subsequently published as Mystical Theology: The Science of Love (London: Harper Collins, 1995).James W. JONES
During the spring of 2005 James Jones spent a month at the Institute to pursue his study of violence in religion. On 25 April he delivered a paper at an in-house seminar to share his findings and present some late afterthoughts on the Aum Shinrikyō phenomenon.KAWAKAMI Tsuneo
In a seminar on 23 April 2998, Kawakami, a junior research fellow at the Institute, presented a seminar on his part of his 2006–2008 research, "The Light from the East: Reform and Believers."KEEL Hee-Sung
In a seminar on 29 July 2007, Dr. Keel, second holder of the Roche Chair in Interreligious Research from 2006 to 2007, presented a preliminary report of his research on "Theodicy, Eschatology, and the Afterlife."John KEENAN
During his tenure as in the Roche Chair at the Nanzan Institute from 2007 to 2008, Dr. Keenan offered a series of seminars on his reading of the Gospel of John in the light of the Heart Sutra.KIM Seung Chul
In a seminar on 24 January 2002, Dr. Kim reported on his research on "Korean Christianity's Self-Understanding and the Dialogue among Religions."Keller KIMBROUGH
On 6 July 2006, Dr. Kimbrough delivered a lecture, with slides, on "Narrating the 6 Realms" Supernatural Travelers' Tales of Late Medieval Japan." In it he shared the results of his research during the nine months he spent at the Institute as a research fellow.KURITA Hidehiko
On 16 June 2017, Dr. Kurita Hidehiko, a Junior Research fellow at the Nanzan Institute, delivered a paper on "The Birth of the Japanese New Religion Seichō no Ie and its Political Movement."Gereon KOPF
During the course of a two-year stay at the Nanzan Institute, Dr. Kopf conducted research on the philosophy of Nishida Kitarō, the results of which he presented at a seminar on 16 July 2004.LEE Wan-Jae
During his stay at the Institute as a Southeast Asian scholar in residence Dr. Lee a series of six seminars on Confucian thought.John C. MARALDO
Dr. Maraldo, a Roche Chair Fellow at the Nanzan Institute in 2009. held a seminar on his book in progress: "Alternatives: The Promise of Japanese Philosophy" on 12 March 2009. 13 persons attended.Andrea MOLLE
Dr. Molle, a visiting research at the Nanzan Institute under a scholarship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, presented two seminar on 21 February and 12 December 2008 concerning his study of the spirituality of Japanese martial arts.Paul MOMMAERS
During two visits to the Institute as a visiting scholar in 1993 and 1994 Dr. Mommaers collaborated with Jan Van Bragt on a comparative study of Christian and Buddhism Mysticism. The work was discussed in a series of periodic seminars and the results were subsequently published as Mysticism Buddhist and Christian: Encounters with Jan van Ruusbroec (New York: Crossroad, 1995).Mark MULLINS
On 2 December 2015, Prof. Mullins presents for discussion his research "The Postwar Movement to Restore Shinto in the Public Sphere," focusing on the changing face of Shinto as it encounters secularism, neo-nationalism, and religious fundamentalism.Roger Vanzila MUNSI
On 24 February 2011, Dr. Munsi, a permanent research fellow at the Nanzan Anthropological Institute, presented a paper on "The Matrilinear Kinship Ideology and Religious Forms: Identifying and Preserving Basakata Society." In it, he reported on his field work and an ongoing project to study the effects of colonialization on the Sakata people in the lower Congo and the elements that have enabled them to maintian their collective identity..NAGASAWA Shiho 長澤志穂
"The Development of Medication in Shin-Dynasty China: The Notion of naitan in The Secret of the Golden Flower.." 26 January 2011.NAGASAWA Sōhei 長澤壮平
"Social Participation and Relations in Traditional Village Ceremonies: The Ōgi Festival of Shizuoka, Yamagata Prefecture." 17 March 2010.Jan NATTIER
During an extended visit to the Institute as a visiting scholar in 1990, Dr. Nattier presented a series of seminars on her doctoral work. The results were subsequently published as Once Upon a Future Time: Studies in Buddhist Prophecies of Decline (Berkeley: Asian Humanities Press, 1991).Steve ODIN
During his stay as a visiting scholar from 1987 to 1988, Dr. Odin presented a series of five seminars on the "Sunyata and Kenosis."Zaza PIRALISVILI
Aum Shinrikyō: Reflections on the Tenth Anniversary of of the Terrorist Attack in the Tokyo SubwayS. Brent PLATE
About 15 persons gathered on 8 November 2010 to listen to Dr. Plate discuss his work on the common aspects of cinema and religions under the title, "The Altar and the Screen: Filmmaking and Worldmaking."Bryan RILL
On 29 June 2010, during the course of a brief stay at the Nanzan Institute, Bryan Rill made a presentation on his field work as a Shugendō practitioner entitled "Shugendō: The Cultivation of Consciousness."Jean-Noel ROBERT
During his stay as a visiting scholar from 1984 to 1985, Dr. Robert presented a series of five seminars on "Tendai Disputations."Minor and Ann ROGERS
During an extended visit to Japan, while residing in Kyoto, Dr. Rogers and his wife Ann presented a series of seminars on their collaborative study of Rennyo. The results were subsequently published as Rennyo: The second founder of Shin Buddhism (Berkeley: Asian Humanities Press, 1991)Scott SCHNELL
In a seminar on 14 June 2004, Dr. Schnell reported on his year-long research project of examining the relationship between the religious beliefs of hunting and gathering communities on the one hand and farming villages on the other, by focusing on attitudes towards mountain deities in the Hida region of the Japan Alps.Rafael SHOJI
In a seminar on 16 April 2008 Rafael Shoji presented a preliminary report of his research on "Brasilian Dekasegi in Japan and their Religions."Paul L. SWANSON
Dr. Swanson led a series of seminars in 1988 on his research into the two-truths theory in Chinese T'ien-'tai Buddhism. The results were subsequently published in 1989 as Foundations of T'ien-t'ai Philosophy: The flowering of the two-truths theory in Chinese Buddhism.Carla TRONU (1)
On 11 April 2014, Dr. Tronu, postdoctoral fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, held a seminar on “Sacred Space and Ritual in Early Modern Japan: The Christian Community of Nagasaki (1569–1643)”.Carla TRONU (2)
On 17 March 2016, Dr. Tronu addressed a gathering at the Nanzan Institute on "Cultural Adaptation in the Making of Catholic Churches in Early Modern Japan: Location, Sacralization and Naming." A lively discussion followed.Harrie VANDERSTAPPEN
During his stay as a visiting scholar from 1992 to 1993, Dr. Vanderstappen presented a series of seminars on "Reinterpreting Chinese Art through Landscape Paintings."YOKOI Momoko
On 17 June 2017, Dr. Yokoi Momoko delivered a paper at the Nanzan Institute on "Measuring Japanese Religiosity."Or Porath
On 19 July 2017, Or Porath (2017 Dissertation Fellow, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies, University of California-Santa Barbara) gives a presentation on his research on “Intimate Dharma: Buddhism, Sexual Initiations, and Imperial Authority in Medieval Japan.”YUSA Michiko
During her stay as a visiting scholar during 1994 and 1995, Dr. Yusa presented in seminar her research on the life and thought of Nishida Kitarõ. The results are being prepared for publication.Kim Seung Chul (2009– )
A series of monthly seminars, open to the general public, focuses on books related to the dialogue between Christianity and science. Interested parties should contact the organizer at sechkim@gmail.com.James W. HEISIG (1983–2007)
For 25 years, James Heisig held bi-monthly meetings for the general public on a variety of topics, ranging from classics in Japanese and western literature to philosophy and psychology to the history of magic.ISHIWAKI Yoshifusa (1989-1998)
A group of about 10 persons gathered around Dr. Ishiwaki to discuss questions related to ecclesiology. Meetings were held in the morning on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10:00 to 12:00. A second seminar, dealing with Christian thought in general, met on the third Thursday of each month from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.TAKEUCHI Yoshinori (1976-1977 )
Prof. Takeuchi directed a series of interdisciplinary seminars on the thought and writings of Shinran.GANKAI (1977-1980, 1987-1988 )
The editoral staff of the Buddhist journal Gankai held a series of monthly seminars over the years on Pure Land theology and the Amida Sutra.