Formative Elements of Japanese Buddhism

Butsu original: "Butsu" or "Buddha" refers to the "Buddha." It is viewed as a Mind that exists within and throughout the world; it is practically a God, though a God who is distant and only vaguely understood. The relationship between Shinnyo The Buddhist term for "Thusness" or absolute reality. and the Buddha—the relationship between Matter and the Mind that lives within it—is governed and shaped by the great Universal Law of Cause and Effect, which is just as eternal as they are. From this primary Law (Hō original: "Hō," the Japanese word for Dharma, meaning the cosmic law or teachings of Buddha.) come all the manifestations of Matter and Mind that we know as the Universe.

These manifestations, however, are only appearances original: "phenomena". According to the Buddhist, they have no real existence. They are no more real than an image reflected in a dewdrop. If I see the moon on the surface of a lake, it is unreal. If I look at the moon in the sky, it is also unreal, just like the moon in the water. Thus, there is nothing but Illusion, and no true Universe. Nothing truly exists except for Shinnyo.

I believe that many of the moral weaknesses of Buddhism can be traced back to this fundamentally false view of the Universe. If sin, falsehood, and vice do not actually exist, what is the point of trying to fight against them? You would only be wasting your efforts.

This moral weakness has been shown more than once in Japanese history. It led to a long list of leaders resigning from high positions during national crises. These were moments that demanded those in power fight against their difficulties rather than simply giving in original: "acquiescing" to them. This belief has also silenced the Buddhist clergy more than once when, as official teachers of the Law, they should have spoken out. We cannot expect the highest forms of moral courage from men who believe the world itself is an illusion. One cannot feel responsibility toward an illusion.

In modern times, there has been no lack of courage among the leaders of the Japanese people. The reforms of the Meiji era The period from 1868 to 1912, marking Japan's rapid modernization and the restoration of the Emperor's power. could not have been achieved by a nation lacking that quality. But that moral courage came from Bushido The "Way of the Warrior," the traditional code of ethics, discipline, and loyalty for the Japanese samurai. or from Confucianism A system of ethics and philosophy from China that emphasizes social order, loyalty, and duty.. These two forms of practical philosophy were the exclusive privilege of the highest classes. In the