What are omamori?

What are omamori?

Author: Nicholas Bright Haight April 12, 2024 Duration: 30:34

Bright on Buddhism - Episode 85 - What are omamori? What is their history? What is their significance?


Resources: Reader, Ian; Tanabe, George J. (1998). Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. p. 46. ISBN 0824820908.; General Stone Tiger (2010-06-15). "Using the Omamori Gohonzon" (PDF). Soka Gakkai International. Retrieved 2017-06-11.; Swanger, Eugene R.; Takayama, K. Peter (1 January 1981). "A Preliminary Examination of the "Omamori" Phenomenon". Asian Folklore Studies. 40 (2): 237–252. doi:10.2307/1177866. JSTOR 1177866.; Kunio, Yanagita (1969). Japanese Culture in the Meiji Era Tokyo (Vol. 4). pp. 314–315.; Jacobsen, Natalie (2015-05-13). "Japanese Lucky Charms: The Guide to Omamori". Tokyo Weekender. Retrieved 2017-01-27.; "Guide To Japanese Lucky Charms Omamori For The New Year 2021 - Japan Truly". japantruly.com. 2021-02-19. Retrieved 2021-03-30.; Guth, Christine (1996), Art of Edo Japan: the artist and the city 1615-1868, H.N. Abrams, ISBN 9780300164138; Haga, Tōru (2021), Pax Tokugawana: The Cultural Flowering of Japan, 1603–1853 (First English ed.), Tokyo: Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture, ISBN 978-4-86658-148-4, archived from the original on 2021-11-10, retrieved 2021-04-29; Jansen, Marius B. (1986), Japan in transition, from Tokugawa to Meiji, Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-05459-2; Roberts, Luke S. (2012), Performing the Great Peace: Political Space and Open Secrets in Tokugawa Japan, Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, ISBN 978-0824835132

Do you have a question about Buddhism that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by tweeting to us @BrightBuddhism, emailing us at Bright.On.Buddhism@gmail.com, or joining us on our discord server, Hidden Sangha ⁠https://discord.gg/tEwcVpu⁠!

Credits:

Nick Bright: Script, Cover Art, Music, Voice of Hearer, Co-Host

Proven Paradox: Editing, mixing and mastering, social media, Voice of Hermit, Co-Host



Nicholas Bright Haight brings his academic background and personal curiosity to each episode of Bright On Buddhism. As a scholar of East Asian Buddhism currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Religion, with a specialization in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist architecture, Nick approaches these conversations with both depth and accessibility. The discussions unfold in a relaxed, question-and-answer style, making often complex philosophical and historical ideas feel approachable and immediately relevant. You’ll hear explorations that draw from his specific research areas, like Japanese Buddhist historical responses to cultural shifts, while also addressing the broader, timeless questions at the heart of the tradition. This isn’t a formal lecture series, but rather a thoughtful dialogue meant for anyone with an interest in how these ancient teachings intersect with modern life. The Bright On Buddhism podcast creates a space where scholarly insight meets casual conversation, demystifying topics without losing their profound essence. Whether you're well-versed in Buddhist thought or just beginning to explore spirituality and religion, these episodes offer a grounded and informative perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 252

Bright On Buddhism
Podcast Episodes
What is Buddhist cosmology? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:06
Bright on Buddhism Episode 35 - What is Buddhist cosmology? How does that play out in ritual and practice? How does it change over time? Resources: Mahathero, Punnadhammo. The Buddhist Cosmos: A Comprehensive Survey of t…
Buddhish Episode 5 - Roe vs. Wade is overturned in the US [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:03
Bright On Buddhism - Buddhish Episode 5 - Hello and welcome to a different kind of episode of Bright on Buddhism called "Buddhish"! These episodes are unscripted, untimed, and unedited. Note that we're speaking less form…
Mahaparinibbana Sutta Part 1 - Chapters 1 and 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:10
The Mahaparinibbana Sutta - Join us as we read and discuss the Mahaparinibbana Sutta Resources: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html; https://suttacentral.net/dn16/?view=normal; Blum, Mark. “De…
Who is King Yama? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:39
Bright on Buddhism Episode 34 - Who is King Yama? Where does he come from? How does he fit into the system of karma and reincarnation? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide;Donald Lopez: Norton Antholo…
What is emptiness? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:39
Bright on Buddhism Episode 33 - What is emptiness? What are the different definitions of this word? How does the definition change over time? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton…
What are kōans? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:01
Bright on Buddhism Episode 32 - What are kōans? What is the doctrine behind them? How are they used? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An Illustrated Guide; Donald Lopez: Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism;…
What are some notable Buddhist cults? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:15
Bright on Buddhism Episode 31 - What are some notable Buddhist cults? What do they believe? How can one tell if an organization is a cult or not? Resources: https://cult-escape.com/; Pearce, Thomas H. “Tenchi Seikyō: A M…
How does one get started learning about Buddhism? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:17
Bright on Buddhism Episode 30 - How does one get started learning about Buddhism? How can you tell if the sources you are looking at are unreliable? How does one become a Buddhist? Resources: Kevin Trainor: Buddhism: An…
What does "poa" actually mean? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:47
Bright on Buddhism Episode 29 - What does "poa" actually mean? Why is it important? How has the understanding of this term changed over time? Resources :Bayer, Achim. “From Transference to Transformation: Levels of Under…