Sunday, July 26, 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

Think about Buddhism

I was born and raised in Japan. Majority of poeple in Japan is Buddhists… technically. I have to say technically, because not too many people practice, or even know what Buddhism is… including myself of course.

It’s ashame, when I noticed how little I knew about Buddhism. I don’t consider myself that I’m religious, like many others in Japan. I don’t know if I consider myself a Buddhist first of all. But it’s still ashame that I don’t know a quite much about the religion that the culture of the country I was born in was formed based on.

I’m not trying to ask a help from believing Buddhism. I don’t think I can change my mind completely religious believing Buddha. I only want to learn Buddhism to appreciate what it is and what kind of culture I grew up in based on Buddhism. Well, at the end, maybe I can find something, some spiritual belief that I can hang on to. That, certainly I won’t mind.

I always want to be selective. After I understand matters. Religions, I’m not caught up in Buddhism. I want to appreciate Christianity or all other religions. I just want to know correctly, and be selective, what’s good, bad, or not sure.

I read a book written by Akira Ikegami. Well known journalist in Japan. Very introductory book. Not quite advanced. He’s not even a religion researcher. He’s a journalist. But I wanted to start somewhere easy. He’s a famous guy, and the book had a good review… so I picked it haha.

Let’s start going over this book, and I want to share my thoughts.

Satoshi Kajiyama

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Thoughts and thoughts

Trying to post some tip about Ks academy...

Monday, July 20, 2015

At the library

What r the things I don't know... Too many.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Link

Http://Satoshikajiyama.com

Back in 604AD, Prince Shotoku set 17 constitutional laws, according to the common sources. The second law says “Respect the Three Treasures, they are Buddha, Law, Monk”.

At the time Japan was not unified as a country. Each authorities had a group and had their own society. Prince Shotoku used Buddhism to centralize the authorities to unite a country.

The Emperor Shomu built temples all over the country, and the leading temple Todai in Nara. Buddhism started to expand as the country was becoming formed. Shinto, however, was still not excluded. Shinto Gods were given roles to help and protect Buddhism and moved on together. Shinto Gods were considered an image of Buddha and always there for people in need of help.

In Meiji-era, Shinto was designated as a national religion and Buddhism was separated from Shinto. Some temples were taken down because of it. Currently in Japan, however, people still believe in both Shinto and Buddhism. Not even feeling awkward if a shrine is right next to a temple. In Japan, Buddhism has been changing its form and style as time changes, and has been always accepted.

Satoshi Kajiyama