Since the beginning of ATLA’s full-text production, academic journals from Japan have been an essential part of our foundation. The journals, along with their publishing institutions, have been instrumental in shaping ATLA’s full-text canon.
One important early relationship was with Otani University, home of The Eastern Buddhist Society and of the long-running journal The Eastern Buddhist. Founded in 1921 under the editorship of respected scholar D. T. Suzuki, the journal’s publication was revived in 1965 after a war-time hiatus. Publishing academic scholarship on all aspects of Buddhism, The Eastern Buddhist is also renowned for its English-language translations of Buddhist texts and scholarship.
International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies
ATLA also has a long-standing relationship with the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies (IASBS), which publishes The Pure Land: Journal of Pure Land Buddhism. First printed in 1979, with a new series beginning in 1984, this is the only scholarly journal specifically dedicated to the study of Jōdo, Jōdo Shinshū, and other Pure Land Buddhist traditions. The journal serves as a platform to develop such scholarship, while also facilitating dialogue amongst IASBS members.
Nazan Institute for Religion and Culture
The earliest of these full-text relationships was with Nanzan University in Nagoya. The Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture publishes the Japanese Journal of Religious Studies. Founded in 1960, this journal focuses on the academic study of Japanese religions, with a special focus on breaking through language barriers to make scholarship available to a wider global audience. Asian Ethnology, previously named Asian Folklore Studies, is published by the Nanzan University Anthropological Institute and contains peer-reviewed scholarship on the peoples and cultures of Asia. It similarly promotes Asia-based scholarship in a global arena, facilitating intellectual exchange between Asia and the rest of the world.
Tribute to Dr. Paul L. Swanson
ATLA owes a special debt of gratitude to Dr. Paul L. Swanson on the occasion of his retirement for his essential role in bringing these Nanzan journals to ATLASerials® (ATLAS®). Dr. Swanson is the Permanent Fellow at Nanzan Institute for Religion & Culture, and Professor, Faculty of Humanities, at Nanzan University. Dr. Swanson’s care for the mission of Nanzan University and its publications have long been evident in its journals, particularly Japanese Journal of Religious Studies of which he has served as the editor since 1990. His good work has been reflected in everything from the excellence of the editorial process to the early transition to open access. ATLA was delighted to welcome Dr. Swanson and his colleague Dr. Jim Heisig to our offices in April 2007. We are grateful for our years of collaboration and offer our best wishes for his retirement.