Wuhan Journal of Cultic Studies
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Volume 2: Issue 2, 2024
ARTICLE Spiritual Movements in Political Arenas: The Rise of New Religious Movements in Vietnam and Japan. The Case of Caodaism and Soka Gakkai (1945-1954) Phạm Hoàng Anh Tuấn University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Abstract The period following World War II was turbulent for many societies worldwide, particularly with reference to the link between ideology and spirituality. Many East Asian societies witnessed the rise of numerous spiritual movements and new religious organizations. Despite multiple challenges, especially political ones, many of these new religious organizations continue to exist to this day. This article explores and compares the emergence, transformation, and adaptation of two new religious organizations: Caodaism (specifically the Tây Ninh Holy See branch) in Vietnam and Soka Gakkai in Japan, viewed against the socio-political context of the immediate post-World War II era. Using this approach, the study will elucidate the political activities of these organizations during a time of significant upheaval. While many scholarly studies focus on Caodaism and Soka Gakkai separately, this article leverages those findings, using a comparative approach, to analyse how these new religious organizations adapted to and influenced their countries’ political landscapes. It aims to provide a foundation for understanding the impact of spiritual elements on the political history and activities of Vietnam and Japan in the midtwentieth century, which could be a valuable scholarly resource for studying other new religious movements (especially in East Asia) during this period. Keywords: Vietnam; Caodaism; Japan; Soka Gakkai; New Religion; Politics | ||