著者

古澤 有峰

出版者

東京大学文学部宗教学研究室

雑誌

東京大学宗教学年報 (ISSN:02896400)

巻号頁・発行日

no.22, pp.33-51, 2004

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So many suffering and injured people are living with strong needs of physical, emotional and spiritual care in the world today. We have to reach out for such people if we would like to take care of them. However, it should be done without violating their religious and spiritual dignity. How would this be possible in cross-cultural situations? Henri Dunant founded the International Red Cross for this purpose in 1863. The activities by the Red Cross in medical contexts today aim to take care of needs of people regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Theoretically this is what is claimed, but how is it so in reality? This paper focuses on various religions (both traditional and new, including spirituality of individuals) and care in medical contexts beyond cultures, considering the reality of the history of the Red Cross. We have to wedge our way into both historical and practical aspects to solve this difficult and important puzzle. In this paper, I will deal with these issues while giving specific examples of historical claims in articles.