Coexistence

One of the most interesting things about Japan is the coexistence of Shinto and Buddhism. The belief systems and religious practices sit side by side. The hand and mouth washing that happens at the entrance to every buddhist temple is a Shinto practice of purification. And Buddhist temples often have Shinto shrines tucked in the corners of their grounds while Shinto shrines will often have Buddhist boddhisatvas statues somewhere.

In this photo of an approach to one of the temples we visited on Shikoku the Buddhist temple gate is on the left and the steps up the mountain to the Shinto shrine are on the right.

Shinto is the animist, original religion of Japan at its core is a deep attendance and respect for the animated spirit of all things - the spirit of the mountain, the river, the horse chestnut trees, the family house, the oxen. These are called Kami and the Japanese like to say they represent ‘the eight thousand gods’. Shinto shrines often feature large centuries-old trees and Buddhist temples often have old trees wrapped with the traditional Shinto rope and lightning symbols. Shinto is also about the respect and worship of those who’ve come before us, ancestors. Shinto is also closely associated with the Imperial family.

Buddhism came to Japan from China by way of Korea sometime in the early early Middle Ages. When it arrived and spread through Japan it incorporated Shinto Kami as manifestations of Buddha, spurs and shoots of the living Dharma. They still live side by side though the relationship hasn’t always been fully harmonious and in periods of extreme nationalism Buddhism has been disdained as foreign and not truly Japanese.

We’re a Buddhist family and we’ve loved traveling in a Buddhist country. We’re also nature lovers and dog lovers and little-moss-covered-shrines-to-foxes lovers. So it’s been cool to learn about Shinto.

The co-existence of the two is so cool. Jessica put the following in my mind - just imagine for a moment that the Pilgrims arrive in America and meet it’s many tribes. As the country and its democracy develop the First Nations’ religion and Christianity live side-by-side. Resulting in churches with ancient maple trees growing on their grounds and little shrines at their feet. We celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan and the equinoxes equally. Our national parks are respected like the granite temples they truly just like the local playlot’s squirrels and beech trees are respected as divine neighbors. Our president and politicians gain their authority not only from the votes they receive but as stewards of the living earth our nation has grown from and depends on. First Nation tribes are not deeply marginalized but sovereign, creatively, economically engaged partners in the American experiment.

Lovely.

- David