[Buddha-l] Religious, But is it the power of Kings?

[Bob Zeuschner]

Hi Joy --
I think the best example that I know of a religion taking hold from the 
"top-down" would be Japan. Buddhism was adopted by the ruling clans in 
the 700s (most likely understood as a form of Shinto) and it took quite 
a while for later forms of Buddhism to grab hold to the lower classes 
(especially Pure Land, Nichiren & Zen).
Bob
Dept. of Philosophy

Joy Vriens wrote:
> Hi Curt,      
>     
>> Joy Vriens wrote: 
>>> I am starting to doubt presentations in which a king forces a view onto his citizens or has them convert to a religion. That would be to attribute too much power to them.  
> 
> I will pedlle backwards a bit, but I still believe that when you look at the official versions of many of those stories in which kings are converted and then convert their people, the king is given a far bigger role than he had in reality. Of course there are more dramatic changes once the "conversion" of a king is supported by laws and edicts. The religions to which kings convert are probably already relatively influential in their respective countries, before the kings jump on the band wagon. Compare with sustainable development and action against global heating. Now the awareness and pressure is growing, one can expect Bush at one point to gravely address the American people, warn them against global heating and announce them that action will be taken. Official documents on that decision will then be published and state television will make him into the saviour of the earth.
> 
> Joy