Buddhism In Japan, Part 2, Shin and Zen (1968)

All [chant] living as a homeless wanderer is not so easy in a land of ice and snow. When the temperature drops to freezing, it's pretty important to be able to count on a warm bunk and a regular diet of square meals, even if one is a Buddhist monk. So, that's one of the minor reasons why Buddhism changed somewhat as it spread northward from tropical India and finally got way up to Japan, a place where the cherry trees do not blossom in February and where the plain folk have seldom had extra rice to give away to non-working monks, however pious. This and other reasons changed Japanese Buddhism from being simply a metaphysical doctrine and a monastic way of life into what is more of a religion as people in the West usually understand the term. Of course, there are monks who beg for a living in Japan. In Buddhism, this kind of life always hovers in the background, but it's a hard road. And some of the early Buddhists evolved a kind of Buddhism more compatible with the capacity and moral fiber of the average person. more practical too. For instead of giving up every pleasure and every chore of physical existence, the devout follower can pause for a moment of prayer to Amida Buddha or perhaps the goddess of mercy Conn, and then proceed with the normal business of making a living and perhaps building a nation while still feeling that he's generally on the right path. Concept of the goddess Kan calledwan Yin in China came into Buddhism as a muchneeded ear for the prayers of man. She is sometimes depicted with many arms to show her superhuman ability for serving numberless purposes at once. Prayer said before images like this should not be confused with idolatry for such figures are merely symbols similar to those of other faiths used to focus the attention of the worshippers. In more recent times, it's become popular to show Conan molded as a beautiful Madonna-like figure, the oriental mother of the universe, here standing guard over a marketplace in Tokyo. >> Similar to some Christian evangelists, Buddhist preachers of certain sects also strive at times to bring about a few sidewalk conversions. There are certain fundamental beliefs held by all Buddhists. For one, they are taught to show extreme tolerance and brotherly love to all men and unswerving kindness to animals. Also, they believe without exception that the universe was not created nor is sustained by God, but instead was simply evolved and functions in accord with strict natural laws. Of course, with many Buddhists, this belief eliminates all need and all use for prayer. But in China and Japan, the idea is held that certain saints whose perfected souls could have become Buddhas and gone on to Nirvana have instead lingered behind in spirit form to help mankind. >> The particular one shown here named Jizo is considered patron of children. Others include the goddess Kanan and Amida Buddha. They may be called bodhisattvas. Now these young men dressed in the regulation school uniform of Japan are paying respect at one of the national shrines. This is the familiar bronze dbutaden at Kamakura. A Buddha once housed within a temple which was washed away in a huge tidal wave. It gives an idea of the enormous size of the images within many other Buddhist temples. The serenity of this work of art reflects the patience and love found in northern Buddhism. We must remember there are supposedly many devout persons or saints who have become Buddhas. And this is the Buddha who refuses to enter paradise until all the rest of mankind has found its way there. The helpful spirit awaits the prayers of all. Listen. I put my faith in Amida Buddha. I put my faith in Amida Buddha. I put my faith in Amida Buddha. >> Many Buddhists feel that their salvation depends on the one factor of faith alone. faith in the merciful spirit of Amida Buddha to put them on the path to Nirvana. And that's why in the Shin sect, this repeated statement becomes the summon substance of their continuing prayers. This is the traditional way to gain merit and the attention of the Buddhas in the cemetery on Mount Koya. It's believed that by splashing them with pure water from the fountain, a service is being performed for the souls of the dead. Although it's only a local custom, we see here another departure from the teachings of southern Buddhists who feel that after death, no one can help another soul avoid the consequences of acts performed during its lifetime. Of course, the Hindu doctrine of reincarnation is commonly held by all Buddhists. Doctrine teaching that the soul of man lives and dies countless times on this earth during the journey toward its destiny of perfection. In Japan, ashes of the cremated dead are customarily divided into three parts. One part stays in the family home. Another portion is placed in the temple to benefit from the rituals, while the third part is interred in the cemetery. Such a small quantity of the remains is the reason why Japanese graves can be packed closer together than is possible in any other burial ground in the world. Sometimes two bodies are not cremated, but are buried in an upright cross-legged position like the Buddha. But death is not cause for much grief or concern in Buddhism. After all, it's only a time of transition to another life. Perhaps the entrance of a perfected soul into Nirvana, the occasion for rejoicing, such as is expressed by this service in commemoration of the entrance into Nirvana by Lord Buddha himself called Nirvana Day. The musician's heads are hooded as a symbol of the desire to lose one's identity and unselfish concern for all mankind and to hope for unity in God. Like Protestant Christianity, Japanese Buddhism is divided into many many sects. And some of these do not pin all their religious hopes on a simple statement of faith. One sect named Zen believes that salvation can only be attained through personal efforts to become enlightened. They're also convinced that life can never be understood through the intellect alone, but by opening the doors of the intuitive instincts, so that one will come to know what life is by a direct experience of the mind. They claim that's the largest bell in the world. The Zen sect places no reliance on scripture, ritual, or vow, and has one of the most rigorous and unusual disciplines in the world. The purpose of Zen is to pass beyond the intellect. And many methods are used for enabling the student to break through the barriers of the reasoning mind and make contact with what is said to be a realm where knowledge of all things is understood as readily and simply as a normal eye perceives and knows a color to be green, red, or blue. Seated stiffly to avoid drowsiness, much of the time is spent focusing the mind inwardly in deep meditation. Students of Zen are often summoned from sleep for this purpose at any hour of the night. Silent meditation alone, however, is not considered effective enough to bridge the gap, and the master may try unusual or startling devices to shock the pupil into deeper insight. Such things as shouting a question or sudden laughter may be in order, or perhaps even a sharp blow. Because the fierce disciplines of Zen Buddhism strived to develop complete indifference toward all physical discomforts and absolute fearlessness in any predicament has made this sect a great favorite with the Japanese warrior class. Much of the spirit of Zen has been responsible for the matchless bravery of the samurai of old and the training of the fanatic kamicazi of only yesterday. While bravery for such purposes certainly is not the objective of Zen, it shows for what opposite uses any great truth may be channeled. The culture of Japan actually stems from Buddhism and the efforts of its early Chinese monks. Much of what seems so essentially Japanese is actually Buddhist inspired. For instance, Japan is famous for the art of flower arrangement. Did you know that the placement of the blossoms is a religious symbol of man standing halfway between earth and paradise or the well-known tea ceremony which today is not necessarily considered religious was originated centuries ago by Zen monks as a ritual of good manners and friendship. It is the self-control here that makes every move a sacrament. Yes, Buddhist monks were responsible for the civilizing of what was once a very primitive area. From them, Japan took most of the beauty of its national existence. Ceremonies in Japanese Buddhism are not held with weekly regularity and worship is largely a concern of the individual. And this special ceremony by priests of the Shin sect is being held in the cause of world peace. They're chanting a portion of Buddhist scriptures called sutras. [singing] >> [chant] >> This sect places complete reliance on the saving power of Amida Buddha and faith in this principle is being expressed in the chanting. Worshippers who attend these rituals are considered to benefit from the service. Although in temples beside the shin sect, elaborate altars consume most of the space and the people stand out of doors and simply watch the rituals through open archways. Each worshipper adds a pinch of incense as evidence of devotion to Amida Buddha. Priests in this sect are not monks nor are they considered to be the mediators between God and man. Their founder St. Shinron advocated marriage and family life for everyone. Tablets for spirits of the dead are always somewhere near the altar where they may be remembered, where they may hear and find peace from the prayers. For peace is the aim of Buddhism. Buddhist teachings of all sects lead their peoples away from worldly concern toward the task of spiritual perfection. foreign. [chant] Go.