Japanese Philosophy

8/13/2019 Japanese Philosophy

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Japanese Philosophy


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Japanese Spirituality

shaped and influenced by Shintoism,Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoist teachings


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2 Kinds of Religion

Mystical Prophetic


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Prophetic Religion

the revelation of God gives man the basicprinciples of his social life. Devoting himself tothis revealed truth, he tries to live a righteouslife.. (Kishimoto 1959: 26)


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Mystical Religion

a brilliant inner experience within man at thedepth of mind *and+ through this experienceman feels harmoniously united with thecosmic law [and] discovers a new meaning oflife.


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First Principal Characteristic ofJapanese Spirituality

Ubiquitous and Prevalent


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Kami

supernatural beings divine or above


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The Kami may be anywhere, their

influence at once vague andpowerful (Jeren and Robinson1989, 13)


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Kami has several classification;nature, divine, human and animal.

(Anesaki 1956)


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This respect for nature is so

predominant the Japanese havewhat I would like to call aromantic relationship with

nature.


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Examples:

The picnics held under the trees to enjoy theview of the cherry blossoms (sakura) is onemanifestation of this national consciousness.

The favorite pastime of flower viewing(hanami) every spring may seem banal andmundane.


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In Art, Japanese spirituality likewisefinds expression, aslo replete with

those themes.


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Japanese have even found a beautifuland ceremonial way of committing

suicide and facing death, ie.

Harakiri (Way of the Warrior/Samurai) it isconsider glorious to die courageously in battle


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2nd Principal Characteristics ofJapanese religion

*that+ access to the spirits is afforded throughrituals (Jeremy and Robinson 1989, 13)


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Purification

Most important of the rituals Concerned with the proper observances

before approaching the deities


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New Year & O-Bon (Festival for theDead)

Two major holiday in Japan The major cleaning is done every end of the

year is also a purification ritual inpreparation for the coming New Year.


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The festivals, of course, involve thesummoning the deities.

In shinto ceremonies, the deities are believedto temporarily reside in a mikoshi or portableshrine, which gets paraded around theneighborhood to purify and bless it.

Mikoshi bearers believed to be guided bythe spirit of Kami


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Supplication

Concerns more the needs and personalrequests of the devotees

Something universal and common to all formsof spirituality


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Charms and Talismans

Are also ubiquitous as the shrines and templesthemselves


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Daruma Doll (Sanskrit: Bodhidharma)

Round and red with unpainted eyes, popularwhen one wishes for something to be fulfilledor has a task to be completed (symbolized bypainting one eye)

Symbol of patience and perseverance


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Thanksgiving Ceremonies

Nature deities are thanked for a bountifulharvest in Niinamesai (Great Offerings of theFirst Fruits)


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Another way of expressing gratitude isdeifying individuals .


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Example:

The great shogun Ieyasu, has been deified andhis soul is supposedly enhrined in thegrandiose Nikko


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Vis-a-vis

The deification is the practice of erecting ashrine or temple to house the spirit or as adedication to the souls


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3rd Principal Characteristics ofJapanese Religion

veneration of ancestors (Jeremy andRobinson 1989, 13)


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In Japan, ancestors have differentclassifications.

The venerations rituals may also vary Shintoor Buddhist, or a syncretism of both.

Japanese Philosophy

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