Ancient Japanese Culture and Beliefs: An Overview

3 Treasures

• Compassion: groundbreaking responsibility to take care of others and care about others
• Frugality: being conscious and mindful of spending
• Humility: only humble people are generous and compassionate

Amaterasu

Sun goddess, her grandson becomes the 1st emperor of Japan, the imperial court lives on to be divine, Japanese flag is the sun, emperors are gods

Analects

Selected writings of Confucianism, discussed the Chun-tzu (superior man) which stated that leaders must be chosen by virtue and not just family name or appointment; small men are self-serving and have no accountability

Ancestor Veneration

A religious practice based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, that the spirits of deceased ancestors will look after the family, take an interest in the affairs of the world, and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living. Family members show respect and reverence for their deceased family ancestors after death

Animistic

The belief that inanimate objects have lifelike qualities, such as thoughts, wishes, feelings, and intentions

Bronze Mirror

When the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu fled to a cave because of the violent attacks of her brother Susanoo, and while the world was plunged into darkness, it was only when a bronze mirror was hung outside the cave that Amaterasu was a ray of light able to escape the cave and light the world.

Buddha > Mahakasyapa

Buddha gives a lesson without words, plucks a flower and holds it up, Mahakasyapa sees the flower and smiles, and the Buddha realizes he understands the lesson

Butsudan

In Japanese culture, a family altar containing memorial tablets honoring deceased ancestors and a focal point for ongoing relationships between the living and dead members of a household.

Ch'an > Zen

Means meditation, Mahakasyapa's disciples

Confucius

(550-479 BCE), family name was Kung, known as a great teacher, referred to as Master Kung or Kung Fuzi

Cult

Any external religious practice, observance, or devotion surrounding a deity, holy person, or religious object of a particular religious tradition

Divination

Trying to get answers about the future through rituals, omens, or supernatural events (i.e, tarot cards or casting bones)