Japanese considerations of death and life (3)

Every dead person can be reborn in any case (I heard that way of life is affected by the sin or karma of the former world. But we can be a rich or a poor depending on own effort.). Anyway, maybe you and me were friend in the former world. This idea is called En (Yen). This coin is Japanese 5 yen. Pronunciation of ‘5 yen’ is ‘go en’ in Japanese. ‘go yen’ is a homophone with go-en, a word for karma, fate, relation and encounter. As a result, sometimes this coin is used as a token of meeting. Japanese have words, “Sode Fure Au mo Tasho no En”. Meaning...

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Japanese considerations of death and life (2)

Rikudo of Buddhism is an idea based on the transmigration of the soul, it’s six worlds in which dead person is reborn next.　These worlds are considered as parallel exist. But we shouldn’t rebirth. Essential teachings of Buddhism are “to live is to experience many sufferings”. I mean, “Not to rebirth after death” is the most happiest thing. It’s called GEDATSU, it means “leave from the transmigration of the soul”. Because only “No rebirth” can avoid from sufferings. The six worlds are: Ten-do, Ningen-do, Shura-do, Chikusho-do, Gaki-do and Jigoku-do. Dead person is put on trial by Enma Daioh. He indicates to let dead person go to one of six worlds based...

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Japanese considerations of death and life (1)

The main current religions of Japan are Shinto and Buddhism. Both religions have long history, almost parts of thought have been mixed. Some years ago, the movie, “Departures” won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This film expressed Japanese consideration of death and life. Approx. 90% of Japanese are Buddhist. In Japanese Buddhism, the bereaved family give the white clothes to dead person and give Rokumonsen. (white clothes is called Shinishozoku which means clothes for dead person, Rokumonsen means six coins). And it make him/her put into coffin, and cremate it. This costume is traveler’s in Edo period. white version is for dead person only. Dead person travels...

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Prince Shotoku (Significant person of Japanese Buddhism)

The first great politician who accepted Buddhism. Prince Shotoku (573 – 621) was a great ancient Japanese politician and a regent of the Empress Suiko (the first Queen) in Asuka period. He understood teachings of Buddhism and introduced it to Japan. He had an eye on politics based on Buddhism. For that reason, his figure is an object of belief. Especially, Jodo Shinshu school respect him strongly. And also we can see the statue of Prince Shotoku’s childhood. He established the world oldest wooden building, HORYU-ji temple at Nara and SHITEN-NOH ji temple at Osaka. In Shiten-Noh-ji temple, the festival and large-scale Buddhism rites are held on every 21st and...

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Daruma — Important Buddhist monk. A founder of ZEN!

Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japanese) was the Buddhist monk. He was born in India. And he was the 38th chief monk from Buddha. He moved to China, and he became a founder of ZEN. The most famous episode is “Menpeki Kunen (Zazen facing wall for 9 years as covering cloth). He was also founder of ZAZEN (gazing wall/facing wall). “Make yourself be a wall and to see ‘a nothing’ (come to nothing)”. I mean “finding a truth in immovable mind like a wall”. Meditation is different from ZAZEN in a strict sense. Meditation means “close your eyes and image something”. On the other hand, a goal of Zazen is “come to...

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The center of Manga, electrical appliances, video games, Akihabara’s history.

This photo is in front of Akihabara station in Tokyo. Akihabara is always crowded. This town is famous city for Manga, electrical appliances, video games. But the name of Akihabara is related with Buddhism. Akihabara can divide Akiha (Akiba) and Bara (Hara). Akiha is one of the Deity’s name, and Hara means field. In 17th century, Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed to SHOGUN. And he brought Akiba Daigongen shrine from his hometown to here. People called this place Akihabara since this event. Akiba Daigongen is one of the Deity. Akiba Daigongen looks like Tengu (who has black crows’ wings). And he rides on fox. He is in charge of fire prevention....

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If you watched dragon, look at finger.

Dragon (snake shape) is imaginary animal in East Asia. Dragon was the symbol of Chinese Emperor, it never allowed using this design by others including nations around China. That is to say, China was the center for all things. Accordingly, the Emperors of nations around China were sensitive to this, they settled that reducing the number of claws. China : five claws (five fingers). Korea : four claws (four fingers). Japan : three claws (three fingers). Of course, it have nothing to do with that at present, because Chinese Emperor had gone. (This tradition a little remains now.)

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Elephant is the sign of happiness.

As Hinduism and Buddhism were born in India, a part of idols are objects of belief by both believers. Following image is one of them. It’s called Ganesha by Hinduism. Or it’s called Kangi-Ten by Buddhism. (Elephant head and human body.) I went to Matsuchiyama Shoden temple. In Buddhism, he is the symbol of happy married life, blessed with children, well-being of one’s family and a brisk business. His emblem is the crossed two radishes like a thigh shape. I mean, happy married life means… Do you know what I mean?:) But wishing having children is important problem as wife and husband. (at Matsuchiyama-Shoden temple in Asakusa, Tokyo) As a...

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The principal Buddhism images and the twelve zodiacal signs

The principal images are different depending on your birth year. What is your the principal Buddhism image? Let’s check it. example : If your birth year is 1980, your twelve zodiacal sign is Monkey. That’s why your the principal Buddhism image is Dainichi-Nyorai. The twelve zodiacal signs are originally Chinese culture. However this culture spread to East Asian countries with the times, and mixed with Buddhism. In Japan, this is popular thing (except Jodo Shinshu school).

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