新渡戸稲造の宗教観

概要

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What makes the world of Inazō Nitobe (1862~1933) differ somewhat from that of most Protestant thinkers of the same period is that he had more than a little interest in, and tendency toward, mysticism and the mystical world. He had considerable sympathy, therefore, for the Quaker doctrine of the Inner Light and connected it to Cosmic Consciousness which, according to a Canadian psychiatrist, is the highest stage of development in human consciousness. Those who attain this stage of development become able to feel that they are one with the great Spirit of the universe and embody godliness in themselves. Cosmic Consciousness or Inner Light, as the illumination of the mind, also discloses the true aspect of the world, namely, mono-no-aware, or the sadness of things. Those who realize this truth live life with deep sympathy for everything around them. Although the Inner Light is Christ himself for Christians, it is not the exclusive possession of Christianity but is experienced by every mystic soul because its root is in the mystic world itself. Unlike the idea of true religion in orthodox Christianity, Nitobe's concept of religion is closer to the Oriental way of thinking, and we can find in him a unique attitude of tolerance toward other religions and ideas.
聖学院大学の論文
1996-01-30