PHIL 202-3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Lotus Sutra, Taoism, Kojiki
PHIL 202
Ch. 11 Japanese Traditions (pt. 1)
Japanese Religions
• General principles:
o Close relationships with deities (kami) of the natural world and spirits of the
ancestors
o Dynamic of reciprocity
o When balance is disturbed, rituals are used to restore
• Shinto: the way of the kami
• Buddhism
The Rousing Drum
• Procession of the drum through the streets
o “tarts at the ity’s ai “hito shrie
o Attaked y teas
• Desried as a stea et
• Represets the spirit of Furukaa
Persistent Themes
• Religious elief takes a ak seat to religious atiity
o Taking action reduces anxiety
o Particular temples and shrines are associated with particular blessings
• Word religio did ot oe ito Japaese util s
o Shukyo: fro teahigs kyo ad set shu)
• Most traditions do not require adherence to one set of beliefs
Seeking Benefits
• Central to most Japanese religious traditions is the pragmatic desire to secure benefits,
either in this world or in the next
• Can go to a variety of places of worship, from those devoted to the Buddha to those of a
local kami
o Prayer and action take precedence
o Turig to the gods i a tie of troule
o Engage in rituals until desired outcome is obtained, or until efforts have failed
Seeking Benefits, cont’d
• Diversity
o How does one decide?
o Image of a marketplace
• Variables of time, place, and occasion
• Different products
o Different rituals
o Appropriate assistance for the situation at hand
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Document Summary
Japanese religions: general principles, close relationships with deities (kami) of the natural world and spirits of the ancestors, dynamic of reciprocity, when balance is disturbed, rituals are used to restore, shinto: the way of the kami, buddhism. The rousing drum: procession of the drum through the streets, tarts at the (cid:272)ity"s (cid:373)ai(cid:374) hi(cid:374)to shri(cid:374)e, (cid:862)atta(cid:272)ked(cid:863) (cid:271)y tea(cid:373)s, des(cid:272)ri(cid:271)ed as a (cid:862)stea(cid:373) (cid:448)e(cid:374)t(cid:863, represe(cid:374)ts (cid:862)the spirit of furuka(cid:449)a(cid:863) Image of a marketplace: variables of time, place, and occasion, different products, different rituals, appropriate assistance for the situation at hand, reciprocal relationship, exchange of goods, for assistance, one shows gratitude and respect, and performs rituals. Life-energy is in the world: can align with this energy through worship of the kami, kami can be found all over the phenomenal world. In flowing water, rain, mountains, clouds, fire, earth, wind, animals: peaceful side = humans prosper, destructive side = must be appeased through ritual.
