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Religions
of
Feudal Japan
JAPANESE RELIGION
ZEN BUDDHISM
SHINTO - THE WAY OF THE GODS (Kami-no-michi)
SHUGENDO
BUSHIDO - THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
TYPICAL JAPANESE HOLIDAYS
 BUDDHISM
"From pleasure comes grief and fear, he who is free from pleasure knows neither grief nor fear."
- the Dharmapada
TEN COMMANDMENTS
·Do not destroy life.
·Do not take that which is not given to you.
·Do not commit adultery.
·Do not tell lies and deceive no one.
·Do not become intoxicated.
·Eat temperately and not at all in the afternoon.
·Do not watch dancing, listen to singing or watch plays.
·Wear no adornments or perfume.
·Sleep not in luxurious beds.
·Accept no gold or silver.
THE EIGHTFOLD PATH
The Four Noble Truths state that suffering comes from desire and can only be dissolved by separating the self from it, which is the release from reincarnation to Nirvana (Enlightenment), and can only be gained by following the Eightfold Path.
·RIGHT BELIEF: truth, the guide to man.
·RIGHT RESOLVE: calm at all times, harm no living creatures.
·RIGHT SPEECH: never lie, slander, use harsh or coarse language.
·RIGHT BEHAVIOR: never steal, kill, do anything you will regret later.
·RIGHT OCCUPATION: never an occupation considered bad.
·RIGHT EFFORT: strive for good, avoid evil.
·RIGHT CONTEMPLATION: of the Noble Truths, calmness, and detachment.
·RIGHT CONCENTRATION: leads tot he path of peace.
VEHICLES TO SALVATION:
MAHAYANA (the Greater Vehicle)
·The guide to Satori (Enlightenment) is Compassion.
·Religion is the concerns everyone.
·Hotoke (Buddha) is the Savior.
·Complex rituals accompanied by personal prayers.
HINANYANA (the Lesser Vehicle)
·The guide to Satori (Enlightenment) is Wisdom.
·Religion is the concern of the monks.
·Hotoke (Buddha) was a saint and teacher.
·Avoid ritual and prayer.
THE TEN PERFECTIONS
·Giving
·Duty
·Renunciation of Suffering
·Insight
·Courage
·Patience
·Truth
·Resolution
·Loving kindness, to friend or foe
·Serenity
ZEN BUDDHISM
"They who know do not tell, and they who tell do not know." - Tao The King
Became Taoism in China but is a sect of Buddhism.
Teaches:
· Dependence upon oneself for answers to questions and for wisdom
· When question is felt, the answer is received
· Depends on Intuition not upon intellectualization
· To comprehend Zen one must first discipline and restrain the mind through mediation and introspection, no logic or verbalization.
· Enlightenment not freedom from reincarnation, but rather with gaining new insight into existence, and a new intuitive approach to Being.
· Insight cannot be taught or communicated.
THE MONDO AND THE KOAN
The disciplines and techniques used by Zen to develop receptivity to Satori (Enlightenment).
Mondo: Question-answer method between a Zen master and disciple, presented in nonsense riddles.
Koan: statement which student must fathom.
"A monk asked a Zen master: 'What is Buddha?' And he replied: 'The cat is climbing up the post."
When the monk confessed that he could not understand, the Master said 'You go and ask the post."
"A student asked : 'With what frame of mind should one discipline oneself in truth?'
And the Master answered 'There is no mind to be framed, nor is there any truth in which to be disciplined."
SHINTO - THE WAY OF THE GODS (Kami-no-michi)
"Both heaven and earth come from one's own heart." - a Shinto saying
Native aboriginal teachings indigenous to Japan and is heavily routed in mythology. Spirit-gods (kami) are in everything and there is no evil in nature, only in lack of moderation. All sins may be forgiven by repentance, except two: cowardice and thief.
MAIN DEITIES:
Izanagi and Izanami, progenitors of everything
Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun goddess
Susano, the Storm god also associated with forests
Fudo, fighter of demons
Uke-mochi, the Food Deity
Fujin, the Wind god
Fire Fade and Fire Flash, associated with tides
Sea King, associated with the ocean/sea
Raiden, the Thunder god
Suku-na-biko, the Dwarf god
Uzume, the Mirth Goddess
Also various kami
CODE OF THE NOBLE
·COURAGE: cowardice is a sin
·LOYALTY: first to the emperor, then family, the community then to future generations.
·CLEANLINESS: ritual cleanliness very important.
BRANCHES/SECTS OF SHINTO:
SHINRI KYO PRECEPTS
·Do not transgress against the wills of the gods.
·Do not forget your obligation to your ancestors.
·Do not transgress against the decrees of the State.
·Do not forget the profound goodness of the gods, whereby misfortune is averted and
sickness healed.
·Do not forget the world is one great family.
·Do not forget the limitations of your own person.
·Even though others become angry, do not become angry yourself.
·Do not be slothful in your business.
·Do not be a person who brings blame to your teacher.
·Do not be carried away by foreign teaching.
SHINSHU KYO PRECEPTS
·Worship the great deities.
·Pacify thy spirit, for it is part of the spirit deity.
·Practice the Way of the Gods.
·Revere the divine origin of the State (through Amaterasu)
·Be loyal to the ruler.
·Be zealous in filial piety toward thy parents.
·Be kind to others.
·Be diligent in business.
·Preserve steadfastness within thy breast.
·Cleanse away the rust of thy body.
 SHUGENDO
"In all the world, there is no such thing as a stranger." - a Shinto saying
Buddhism incorporated into Shinto (see Buddhism and Shinto). In Japanese it means "the way (do) of mastery (shu) extraordinary religious power (gen)" practiced around sacred mountains. Practitioners called shugenja meaning "person (ja) who masters (shu) extraordinary religious power (gen)" or the common name yamabushi meaning "those who sleep (bushi) in the mountains (yama)". Shugendo also features Tao influences in its rituals and believes that the kami (spirit-gods) are Buddhas.
TWO MAIN BRANCHES:
TENDAI SHINTO
Centered around Mt. Hiei near Kyoto and believe that Buddha is the reality behind all phenomena, including kami (spirit-gods). Main deity of the Hiei Shrine is Enryakuji, who is considered an incarnation of Buddha.
SHINGON SHINTO
Centered around Ise, Mahavairocana (Buddha) symbolized by the sun, source of the universe and united by two aspects: the Kongokai (the Diamond Cycle) who is the male aspect, and the Taizokai (the Womb-Store Cycle) who is the female aspect. The Inner Shrine at Ise has Amaterasu as the Taizokai (the Womb-Store Cycle) and the Outer Shrine has Mahavairocana (Buddha) as the Kongokai (the Diamond Cycle).
BUSHIDO - THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
(Not really a religion, but a code of behavior common in Japanese society)
"Swift as the wind, silent as the forest, fierce as the fire, steady as the mountain." - a Takeda banner
LOYALTY
Loyalty can be expressed by self-sacrifice in battle, proper management of a han (daimyo's territory that the samurai manages), junshi (following in death suicide), revenge over the death of one's daimyo (lord) and total loyalty to family in spite of a dishonorable member.
·Absolute loyalty to the Emperor and one's daimyo, first and foremost above all other
loyalties.
·Children absolutely loyal to their parents or pupil loyal to their teacher.
·Wife absolutely loyal to her husband.
·Junior officer loyal to a senior officer.
·Lastly, loyalty among peers and equals.
HONESTY
·Always repay one's debts.
·Once your word is given, you are bound by it.
·Willing to undergo any sacrifice to repay a kindness, honor or commitment.
COURAGE
·Fight with honor, avenge the wronged.
·To die for one's daimyo (lord) is the greatest honor.
·Self sacrifice in every day life.
·Be fearless in life and battle.
POLITENESS
·Devotion to duty above all other concerns.
·Exhibit self-control and avoid bringing disgrace to one's daimyo (lord), oneself or one's
family.
·Observe courtesy and etiquette at all times.
·Avoid foul language in the presence of others.
·Keep to the traditions.
·Show respect for authority.
BENEVOLENCE
·Show kindness and mercy when able.
·Avoid cruelty.
·Administer swift justice.
·Protect the innocent.
TYPICAL JAPANESE HOLIDAYS:
Peach Festival/festival of the Dolls (May 3rd, Girls Festival)
Boy's Festival (May 5th, carp represents how many boys in the house)
Star Festival (July 7th)
Oban/Festival of Lanterns (July 13th, Festival of the Dead)
Higan-e (about September 21st, Autumn Equinox)
Shichi-Go-San Festival (November 15th, for children 7 - 5 - 3yrs old)
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