Directory of graduate education departments in the eastern region

This essay is an attempt to investigate and discuss the significance and validity of researching Buddhist preaching as the main undercurrent of Japanese rhetorical communication practices. The argument first points out contemporary rhetoricians' weaknesses in research, and proceeds to discuss the importance of viewing preaching as a form of rhetorical communication. It then describes historical backgrounds of Japanese Buddhist preaching, and finally analyzes the preaching principles in comparison with the five canons of Western rhetoric, stressing the value of studying Buddhist preaching from the rhetorical perspective.