Japan Culture Essay Example

The religion, which was established around 500 B.C. by Siddhartha Gotama, centers on the "Four Noble Truths." Dukkha, the initial truth, posits that life is fraught with suffering; Samudaya elaborates how people suffer as a result of their cravings.

Suffering is caused by greed and self-centeredness, as desire is insatiable. To end suffering, one must acknowledge their desires and eliminate them, as taught by the third noble truth, Nirodha. This paves the way for everlasting tranquility, which is the purpose of the fourth noble truth, Magga – the noble path.

Magga suggests that by modifying one's thoughts and actions, a new form of enlightenment known as the Middle Way can be achieved. The Eightfold Path, also referred to as the Wheel of Law, consists of eight steps, represented by eight spokes, which include proper understanding, thinking, communication, conduct, occupation, exertion, mindfulness, and concentration. Following these steps enables one to terminate their karma and break free from repeated reincarnation. Additionally, Buddhist beliefs follow a set of regulations known as the Five Precepts.

According to Arquilevich in World Religions, the Five Precepts are: 1. refraining from causing harm to any living being 2. refraining from stealing and only taking what is given 3. avoiding over-stimulation 4.

Buddhism's basic principles include abstaining from harmful speech and substance use. Though the religion's core beliefs remain unchanged, its practices differ greatly. Multiple branches of Buddhism exist, with Mahayana and Zen being prevalent in Japan. Mahayana contains several schools, including PureLand, which prioritizes scriptures and bodhisattvas aiding followers to attain nirvana. Meanwhile, Zen focuses on personal experience as the sole path to enlightenment.

By meditating, individuals strive to enhance their awareness and cleanse their thoughts.

In Japan, Zen manifests itself in diverse ways such as martial arts, gardening, haiku poetry, and the simplistic elegance that characterizes Japanese art. Shinto is Japan's indigenous faith with its original mythology proposing that the Japanese are descendants of divine entities. This communal religion played a significant part in instilling patriotic zeal during World War II; nonetheless, subsequent to the war's conclusion, it was abolished as the state's endorsed religion and became an individual decision.

Although not actively religious, many Japanese incorporate Shinto customs and traditions into their daily routines. Shinto centers on acknowledging and honoring nature and ancestors, characterized as an animistic belief system with all things possessing their own kami or gods/spirits. In the Shinto tradition, both the living and the dead share the kami realm and coexist.

Shintoism has over 100,000 shrines in Japan, whose worship is associated with a unique gate called torii. The religion follows "Correct Way" principles that aim to please the kami, the deities. This is done by expressing gratitude for their blessings, undertaking religious practices, serving society, leading a peaceful existence, and praying for both national prosperity and global coexistence. In Shintoism, religion and communal life are inseparable, where personal destiny merges with that of the nation. This concept of communal destiny traces back to feudal times and the notion of "ie" or household.

The Japanese society was organized around the ie, which was not just a family unit but also a participant in the ie economy. Individuals not related by blood could also be adopted into it. The ie persisted through generations and included living members, deceased ancestors, and future generations. A village comprised several ie.

Japan's model of

ie, or "family-state," was integral to the Japanese way of life until 1945. The concept involved promoting group identity over individualism, which even influenced commercial enterprises.