Image and ritual: photography and the Sutra Lotus primordial

• Grant number: 14/01555-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2015
• End date: February 28, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Anthropology - Urban Anthropology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Maria Suely Kofes
• Grantee: Alexsânder Nakaóka Elias
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The research intends to conduct an analysis of the main ritual expression of HBS - the emanation doctrine, prayer and sacred image Namumyouhourenguekyou - held in Brazil and in Japan, socio-culturally distinct countries. The project's core search the Nikkyoji Cathedral, located in São Paulo, and contemplate temples in Japan (country of origin of the HBS), India and Nepal. The HBS is the oldest Buddhist chain in Brazil, coming to the country in 1908 by the priest Ibaragui Nissui. This strand, on which this paper aims to address, accumulates a century of history and tradition. To develop this research intend to use the method of observing, collecting narratives and especially photographic images. Regarding the use of photography, the aim is to explore the potential of images to compose an ethnography of the Japanese Buddhist community, in which, also, there will be a visual ethnographic experimentation. Recently and having this research aimed attended the routine of the priests Nikkyoji Cathedral (the largest and leading the 10 temples of HBS in the country) and a pilgrimage through India, Nepal (where Buddhism arose) and temples of religion in Japan, which took place between 03 and 23 May, 2014 with the company of Brazilian and Japanese religious (residing during the period in various temples of the HBS). This research moves on land that interact with each other. The intention is to use the search field to produce a photographic archive as part of an experiment in visual ethnography, in which the photographic collection has a strong presence living with ethnographic procedures (such as observation), in rituals and everyday life of the community. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ELIAS, Alexsânder Nakaóka. Double imagem, double ritual: the Photography and the Primordial Lotus Sutra. 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas Campinas, SP.