Ishida Baigan

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Ishida Baigan (1685–1744). Founder of the Japanese movement, Shingaku (‘education of the heart’). Applying himself to meditation, he had several experiences of a total identity of mind and body. He set up his own class, teaching that the true and attainable goal is the overcoming of self-centredness by the deliberate appropriation of the Confucian virtues. Two of his works have survived, Toimondo (Town and Country Dialogues) and Seikaron (On Household Management).

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