I'm so happy and relieved that Japanese religions are flexible enough to adopt the Amazon Prime business model of membership. I can do a 90 day trial subscription to Shinto a few times a year to claim my 'religion points'. Kami Sama please bless Japan for its religious convenience ✊
I think it's pretty cool that the Japanese still keep their ancestors spiritual and religious practices intact. If I'm not wrong, also seems to be more ritual based rather than focusing on set of ideology or dogmatic. I admire it overall tbh.
There are many cultures that still believe or practice similar animistic rituals or celebrations despite adhering to a mainstream religion, for example in Southeast Asia or the Caribbean Voodoo.
In other words, it's mindless ritual, not heartfelt. That's cool? That's like turning Mecca into Disneyland. Atheists have dogma despite being irreligious. They have creation myths like "Once upon a time, slime magically became Frankenslime." Atheists bash magic but they're full of it. Atheism spread by the bloody French Revolution and communist holocausts plus forced indoctrination in indoctrination centers called schools. It can never spread by reason. Here in Cambodia, atheists spread their mental virus by murdering everyone against atheism.
@@Deepak_Dhakad The funny thing is, in Bali, they are mixing Hinduism with their own ancestral beliefs, making it double ancestral. It’s interesting to see their differences with the one in India.
I would be in favor of reviving paganism in Europe really. Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Hellenic, Norse paganism and so on.. so many rich traditions waiting to be re-explored
A while back I was doing down research for a video on Ise Grand Shrine (home of the Sun Goddess) and I asked some local people how they felt about foreign people from other religious backgrounds praying there. No one had any objections to this; in fact, most didn’t seem to understand the question! (Not because my Japanese is bad 😆 but because, why would another religion even be an issue?) I don’t know why but I found that so comforting.
Amaterasu. Is there the actual cave of Amaterasu nearby to the Ise Grand Shrine or is it located elsewhere? In my native country, we have "Sun Gates" that originate from creating stone circles that celebrate the Equinox and Solstice. Naturally, in the higher latitudes or lower lattiudes (if on a landmass) the sun becomes FUNDAMENTAL to your existence. The great Kami Amaterasu therefore makes a lot of sense to celebrate! The best days of my life are days I wake and see the dawn and work and see the dusk falling (and cease working then!). I think Shinto as fundamental reconnection to be "in touch with nature" is very good. At university a Japanese friend of mine when leaving her tenancy, cleaned the flat, put new lightbulbs in the lights and ensured there was toilet paper in the lavatory and put an origami kami offering in one of the corners of the rooms to bring 'good luck' to the resident kami of the dwelling for the next tenant. She lives long in my memory. A good person.
thank you for lacing the facts with comedy, this turned very informative while not being boring. i am raised in a family of believer, but sometimes find funny details in religion (at least on ours). i cringe at the fact that some believers radically brag that they are "better" people because of their beliefs, but are non-considerate to others and do actions opposite of what their religion teaches. maybe some percentage of people at least follow their religion's teaching and prevent moral conflicts. i also experienced christmas in japan (as a foreign worker). to avoid feeling homesick on a christmas eve, I tried to have a walk outside until I decided to get some hot drink and rest at a park. then, I was interrupted by Japanese couple asking me if I can take their photo. soon after taking their photo, I was surprised to see 4 more couples lined up to have their photo taken 🤣, with the guy from last couple generous enough to ask me if I want a photo too (im not pissed that I'm alone in the park, 笑w ). christmas is like valentine's for couple 🤣🤣
Atheism implies: "You are just a puppet of nature, so rape is justified. Just blame nature. Nature made you do it. You will get away with it if society doesn't catch you, 'cause of your opinion that hell doesn't exist." Atheists typically lie that atheism has no implications, but why do atheists not bow to Mecca? It's 'cause they're atheists. Atheists online are typically bullies pretending to be superior to others. Atheism spreads by bullying.
It's fascinating to see how different people are. It's like how we didn't (traditionally) have Halloween in my own country but something similar existed on different days (in this case after Christmas).
Thanks from Hong Kong. Very informative. I have been wondering Japanese attitude towards religion for some time. I do have a feeling that Japanese may generally have negative impression when hearing the word 'religion' due to many modern cult incidents. In Hong Kong when we hear the word 'religion', we generally think it leads people to be virtrous, and only when the opposite happens then it is considered 'superstition' or 'cult', quite a Confucian humanist approach. I observe that religious belief, values and attitude are very personal things, in the west and in the far east(Japan), people seldom talks about it. But people in China, Taiwan and southeast Asia on the other hand are usually not as restrained as Westerners and Japanese, we chat about religions casually but with respect at the same time. So it's good to have this casual explanatory video to unveal the mystery. To me it's Japanese spirituality is more similar to animism/pantheism, than folk religions/shamanism, than established religions the least similar. Thoughts with animistic influence can be seen on many anime! Anyway for me a religion fills in the area of human life where science and philiosphy can't reach, and teaches a person to stay humble.
From my understanding,It's like one inch deep understanding of religions and priorities on practicality . Deep understanding of Buddhism or Hinduism will not lead to this ,most of the time it is the shallow understanding and peer or cultural pressure or look nice fast food style which leads to this like marriage by Cristian tradition , funeral by Buddhism and shito for luck etc .
In the U.S., people often say they are "spiritual, but not religious". Of course, what I've always believed that to mean is, "superstitious, but too lazy to go to church".
Being a Japanese itself is like being a part of a religion where one has to follow many rules and norms strictly. Japan made its culture like a religion and follows it rigidly without allowing any room for modifications.
You're spot on. Japanese Shinto and culture/customs are so intertwined and inseparable, we can't tell them apart. I do agree being Japanese is a religion on its own.
@subswithoutvids-dw6dv That why japan needs to get rid of the old(kobudo) bushidothat is holding alot of social/emotional progression back. That is why modern(budo) bushido should be hold all the values realistically, and for once(beside the former, which was obviously a social shield and a figurative mask for most of the samurai to be allowed to act as psychotic, self righteous assholes) actually practice some of it. Bushido should not be forgotten, instead be modernized and restructured. If forgotten, future generations will learn about the wrong/old version, which will be definitely used against those young generations that will come into this world. Same with religion, same with identity, things should be thrown away and be forgotten about, but be renewed and repurposed for better things to happen slowly.
I believe it's more likely percieved as spirituality, instead of religion. Like something among the lines "I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual", or "I believe in God but I don't walk to church". Spirituality is private and intimate connection with the Divine and Supernatural, while religion is an organised belief. Idk, for me it's sth along these lines but I may be wrong. Thank You for a great video 💖
Japanese actually have 3 religions during their life , when they are born they are Shinto, when they are married they are Christian, when they died they are Budhist
Not really for the wedding. Sure, some do the "chapel" marriage ceremony, and sometimes it is even a real minister and not just a guy (sometimes a foreigner) doing an impersonation of one. But Shinto wedding ceremonies are not rare too. Some Buddhist sects also do weddings. A number of couples just skip the religious thing and just do the dinner part, or sometimes, if short on money, just a photo in costume so that they can have the standard picture to show their children later on. In any case, Japan is a secular country, and the only legal wedding is the paperwork done at the city hall. There is no running at the altar, because the couple is already legally wed by then.
Maybe it's because I grew up on Chinese dramas that mix cosmologies, but to me this model makes more sense than any religion out there. I've always thought this is how people naturally function spiritually. It just makes sense to treat religion as a culture and practice, to treat religious tales as fables and folklore intended to educate and instill respect, to get from each whatever traditions and practices you find worthwhile. As far as belief goes, it's always made sense to me that it's not possible to truly believe, nor is it possible to truly not believe. We can think of the world as being created by a force worthy of awe and respect, but it also goes without saying that deities are just representations of concepts. Religion doesn't make sense, nor does the absence of belief. Respect and awe of the unknown forces out there is what it's really about, whichever form that may take.
This is the first time I come across your channel, Meshida. I am very glad that you have clarified the confusing way that the Japanese follow/practice different religions. Looking forward to discovering your other videos now.
Strictly speaking, Buddhism was never meant to be formulated into a Religion despite many of it's adherents and inheritors doing so... Christianity and Islam were always designed to become Religions spanning continents. I find myself most in alignment with nature and hence nature religions "keeps things simple" is my preference: Always I find all I want or need going into the wilderness as opposed to civilized cities. I admire the pragmatic attitude of the Japanese with respect to "religions": It is useful so long as it is used as a tool and nothing more. In humour often much truth: So it is with this comedic documentary!
When I was a child the stereotype of Japanese people were that they smart, hard working and very good fighters. I'm so glad that it's all true. I love you Japan!☮️❤️💋🇺🇲🇯🇵
Thank you for explaining this from a Japanese perspective in such a creative fashion. The humor actually helped to better understand what texts could not especially for an outsider 😂
@@sakurakou2009 kokka-shinto, that imperial government shinto, is not practiced. It was barely practiced at the time - you have to see that people didn't even accept it fully back then, and the imperial government made MANY overreaches into what is and isn't "kokka-shinto" in order to give more government control to civil parts of life. Kokka-shinto would decide for example, that a grave is a religious site, and now boom - the government can decide to do whatever they want with any grave in the nation because it's part of the Shinto religion, and the Imperial family/govt "own" the religion. This is an example. People do not worship the emperor in modern Shinto. and very few would have directly been worshiping the Emperor even back when the government insisted upon it. kokka-shinto or "government-controlled shinto" where the Emperor is an incarnation of Amaterasu worthy of worship was perhaps 200 years of a nation with 4,000 years of religious history. such a seizure of national spirituality, it can be argued, was not the common practice of the Imperial Family at all. Even the introduction of Buddhism happened relatively organically and without universally forcing it upon everyone, with arguments for and against Buddhism within the Imperial Court and outside it, from foreign nations and from native Japanese. This is unique to the barbaric kokka-shinto which nobody believes in. Emperor Showa declared - "The ties between Us and Our people have always stood upon mutual trust and affection. They do not depend upon mere legends and myths. They are not predicated on the false conception that the Emperor is divine, and that the Japanese people are superior to other races and fated to rule the world." 「朕󠄁ト爾等國民トノ間ノ紐帶ハ、終󠄁始相互ノ信賴ト敬愛トニ依リテ結バレ、單ナル神󠄀話ト傳說トニ依リテ生ゼルモノニ非ズ。天皇ヲ以テ現御神󠄀トシ、且日本國民ヲ以テ他ノ民族ニ優越セル民族ニシテ、延テ世界ヲ支配スベキ運󠄁命ヲ有ストノ架空ナル觀念ニ基クモノニモ非ズ」 So, even the Imperial family and the Emperor have declared that they are not gods incarnated or divine at all. There isn't a "shinto authority" purporting the Emperor to be worthy of worship, or divine, or supreme at all. Buddhism leaves a far easier path to equate certain people of the past as exalted, divine, and worthy of worship, though this isn't the intention, because of these "enlightened" people that it reveres and builds endless statues of.
And in the Philippines (where I live), majority of them are Catholic (and there are muslims as well). Also, I don't like it that those people who call themselves religious or "Devout Catholic" (and attend Sunday Mass) are doing things that are bad outside of Church (like littering or any other sins). Also, there are many Christian celebrations in the Philippines. There is Freedom of Religion in the Philippines, but sadly, there are still Filipinos who are viewing atheists and agnostics with disdain and say they are satanic (and this is what I totally despise about my country). And for me, saying they are not religious is like they are saying they do not drink coffee but drink at Starbucks (a correction?).
Philippines can be described as one of the most hypocritical State that runs on the laws of Religion yet doesn't follow what the Religion prescribes but mastered in finding loopholes 😂
I work with a Christian non-profit in Japan and in preparation for my role, I've studied Japanese Buddhism and Shinto, read books on the topic and about their history and development, asked many Japanese friends for explanation about the Japanese mind and understanding of religion, and somehow, this video has informed me in a number of areas all those others have yet to do. 😂All I can say is wow and thank you. I really enjoy this channel.
Mythelot. solicitation for enslavement of mind for a tyrant diety shouldn't be advocated, go back to where you came from instead of being a fallocutor of abrahamic tyrant.
Christian missionaries are the most disgusting scums of the earth, manipulating people when they are at the lowest, destroying local religions, destroying local cultures. Learn about Christianity yourself and the violence it has caused in the past and spare the rest of the world 🙏🏻
@@vineetv I don't imagine you're going to have some night and day change in thought from a RUclips comment, but because it might be useful to hear this perspective, this is why I'm doing what I'm doing: God, Jesus, and the hope of the message of the Bible has changed my life in the greatest way possible: I have love, joy, peace of mind, and the deepest sense of purpose in my life. If I can, I want to share that with my friends and community here in Japan. I don't want my friends to become American, I don't want the American evangelical culture that I grew up around to exist in Japan, and I don't even want my friends' life and faith to look exactly like mine. Bare in mind, this is a 2,000 year old eastern religion with abrahamic roots that go back even further. I know I can't make my friends believe what I do, and I've made peace with that. I have no wish of coercing them to believe what I do. But if I can, I want to share these good things I have and for my friends to know those good things in their life also that come from a relationship with the God of the universe. Again, I'm deeply aware many won't understand, but I'm totally okay with that. If you care, that is some of the mind of someone "crazy" enough to do what I do.
@@Itachi_Uchia1 Show me an atrocity, and I'll condemn it with you. Unfortunately, atrocities have been committed under every banner in history, including the Christian one. That said at the same time, I'd encourage you, as we both condemn atrocities committed under the Christian name, to both look at the contrast of Jesus' actual words in comparison to the power hungry tyrants and evil men who abused religious authority and institutions to do evil, as well as to remember the history of the creation of the printing press, science, and the abolition of slavery in the western world, all which have very Christian roots. History is complicated, no matter how you slice it. Past that, to speak for myself, I love the local culture of my community here, even the beauty of the art and architecture of the temples and shrines around me. I want Japan to remain beautiful Japan. All I want to share is this hope, joy, and love that I have that comes from a relationship with God. You don't have to agree with me, and vice versa, but I figured I'd share a perspective that might be new to you, if you care to hear it.
*My Japanese friend:* I don’t have a religion. *Also my Japanese friend:* we trim our fingernails into the grave at funerals so the deceased can pay Heaven’s doorman *Me:* 😳
In these 14 minutes, I've received a more comprehensive education about Japanese religiosity than many books and articles combined. xD What quality content.
How nuanced. I'm pleased my initial assumption was somewhat accurate: Spiritual Thought has been so integrated in the Japanese Mind, it doesn't even register as Religious Belief anymore, it's just normal everyday thought for them. What's more, they have a very pragmatic, albeit transactional approach to Religious Piety: People who don't pay their respect to the Kami don't receive their Blessings, and any Kami that don't extend their blessings aren't worth the worship. This would explain the Ema Plaques I always see at shrines: the Prayers and petitions are recorded to measure results. This should be proof to any religious or atheist westerner who doubts the Kami's existence - I doubt any shrine would remain 'in business' if the Kami failed to deliver on any Blessing or punishment for their followers.
No, just because you pray for something and it happens doesn't mean the praying caused it, same as everywhere else. If enough people pray at a shrine some of them are going to get what they want.
This phenomenon happens a lot in history of Polytheism. Correlation doesn't mean causation .plus it is true for all gods that sometimes the devotees prayers come to reality sometimes but those gods a lot of the time contradict each other to the point of existence. So, naturally,it is more like correlation . Just think more than a skin deep.
I actually love this concept. As someone who is currently learning more about Shinto and a fondness for Buddhism, but not necessarily “extremely religious”, I like the idea of just having daily rituals that fit your life without needing a label.
Hi Meshida. Very interesting, I leaned a lot more about religion in Japan. I'm a Sami - our ancestors also belived in gods of nature, the sun, moon, rivers, ocean, mountains, wildlife, and so on. I knew that Shinto was an old nature religion, but I didn't that know Japanese people mix Shinto, Buddist and Christian traditions. Where I live, we are mostly Christian, but many still belive that there are forces in the nature that influence our daily life, myself included. Greetings from the land of the midnight sun to the land of the rising sun 🙂 BTW I experienced the rising sun in Ariake, Tokyo in January, it was very beautiful, also the sunset was very colourful and beautiful. I will be back in Tokyo in July to see Band-Maid live at Zepp Shinjuku.
In 6:50 The Purgatory Dimension is also called the Shura (修羅) dimension. People there have a more pleasurable life than humans but they are consumed by envy of the Devas in the God World Dimension. The Brute Dimension is simply the world of animals. A Shura often comes in the form of a humanoid titan with 3 faces and 3 or 2 pairs of arms. Evil Shuras are called Raksasa (or Rasetsu if you are Japanese.)
Thanks! Definitely in my top 5 favorite vids thus far! Super informative, and I hope you crank out more educational ones, with your witty jokes weaved in of course!!!
@@Meshida can you talk about Japanese acceptance of sexual liberties and freedoms. Like you have anime hentai and you have anime yaoi etc. Is Japanese society gay friendly or homophobic/unfriendly to lgbtq, or sexually repressed (purity culture) despite these avenues of entertainment. Or is this asking too much lol. I don’t want to infringe if it is im just interested in the cultural viewpoints of this. And it’s not a judgment on the cultural views either
Interesting... The "namu amida butsu" mantra reminds me of the Christian version of the "get-out-of-jail-for-free" prayer; "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner"... Repeated many times in meditation, it might seem like "cheating", but people swear by it.
many Americans who respond "none," to the question of their religion, actually attend the same church most Sundays, but these churches are not Catholic or Baptist or Methodist, are not affiliated with a large denomination, although they're often in larger associations. they think of themselves as Christian but don't see Christianity as a "religion," the way that they see Methodism as a religion.
8:52 I am christian but I am glad japan isn't christian. I come from an asian country with deep tradition and cultural roots. I can feel in my own family and other christian families, these tradition and cultural roots have become extremely diluted.
I have never been religious! My mom used to force me to go to church until I was 10 years old. I remember when I was younger, I would always get kicked out of my Sunday School class, because I would always ask questions that would poke holes in Christian logic! For instance, I once asked my Sunday School teacher, "so how did Noah figure out how to make it hot for the lions and cold for the penguins on the ark, since there was no electricity, heating, or air-conditioning 6,000 years ago?" And she kicked me out of the room! I'm an Atheist, but I do still celebrate Easter and Christmas, due to Christianity's heavy influence on American culture. Sometimes I like to fuck around with street preachers, by yelling, "Hail Satan!" Just seeing the horror on their faces just makes me laugh! The Satanic Panic that started in America back in the 1950's, is still alive and well!
You weren't "poking holes in christian logic" you were just being an unpleasant know it all brat, trying to make your teacher look foolish, asking questions at innapropriate times. It's hard to have patience with someone who clearly does not have a genuine question but is just trying to be a jerk. Sorry to burst your bubble but if that was the best "gotcha, christians!" question you could think of, you're not as clever as you seem to think you are. "Why did God create Satan" is a much smarter question and i always admire atheists who ask it, because it's a genuinely great question and presents a chance for me to share one of the main aspects of Christian faith. But if you ask questions in bad spirit, no one is going to take you seriously and engage in discussion with you... Hope this explains what actually happened 😊 if you want to "disprove" the Bible you'll have to do better. Try reading it. Knowing the subject might help you think of better questions. And to answer the question, God made all the animals enter two by two in an orderly fashion into the ark; that alone was a much bigger miracle than the temperature thing, i think He can just as easily keep them comfortable with the temperature. The world was flooded with rain so i imagine most of the ark was kept warm by God or else all the animals including Noah would have died. Sometimes a little deductive thinking can aswer such questions. When the 3 young hebrews refused to bow before the babylonian king's statue, they were thrown into a large brick furnace, made 7 times hotter than usual. When they came out, their clothes weren't scorched or even warm. We Christians believe in an all-powerful God, because His word says He is. It's that simple. All the answers are in the scripture. And there is more than enough found evidence that proves the Bible.
I learned a lot about Shinto by proxy via games, and honestly I feel it is the most authentic Japanese belief system, even if it is not strictly organized or standardized. It's a pity that such positive things became diluted over time via outside influences of all kinds, but it's a kind of tradition that should be preserved.
It's so strange this video came out, I actually bought a book about Shinto Kami the other day. Reading about all the Japanese gods and how Japan was created has been so interesting!
Meshida Sensei ,you know I love your humor 👏 but this time I'm serious. This video is very educational and humorous at the same time. I recommend for ANYONE curious about Nihon Teki!
His discussion about "namu amida butsu," though very funny, reminds me so much of the arguments between Catholics/Orthodox versus Protestants who believe that "faith alone" can bring you to heaven. Interesting to see so much religious parallels between Buddhism and Christianity.
If I guide people around Japanese temples I always say "your thoughts don't matter only your behaviour, the priests don't care whether you believe it or not, as long as you behave respectfully you can sightsee these places" Also: the road towards god is always by stairs! And Temples will sell you luck by the kilo in the form of lucky charms. 2 days ago I was in kurashiki and that particular God was very picky and only wanted his offering in the local currency! Which makes me question: does God suffer from inflation as well? And does the luck God gives you become less when the offer becomes worth less due to inflation? So many questions..... (Which is why I can't believe in religion, my mind starts rationalising everything)
try Islam. no need to go far first, just watch some speaker corner YT videos, basically some muslims open stall in public space and accept any questions from anyone like atheists, christians, trans, gays, etc about Islam and they always try talking from rational stand points instead simply believing it. there multiples speaker corner channels but I suggest The Muslim Lantern cuz the guy on calmer side when doing it so it more enjoyable to listen.
Pretty similar to the Vietnamese people. Vietnam is one of the largest atheist country in the world by name, most of the population would say they are not religious if asked (including me), yet the de facto national religion is Buddism. Actually, it was once our national religion under the Lý Dynasty (朝李) from the 1000s. Everyone often visit temples and pagodas on special occasions, especially at Tet (Traditional New Year Eve). Not to mention, almost every Vietnamese family has a Buddha altar at home beside the ancestors' altar (except people following other religions ofc). I think this story is not unique only to Japan but other Asian countries as well, especially ones neighboring China.
Subscribed to your channel. Your humour is 200% Japanese. When I went to Japan I was very impressed by Shinto and by the huge importance it has in the heart of Japanese people.
Great video ❤ I practice Shinto and Zen Buddhism. It isn't that japanese aren't religious. It's that they are spiritual people. They are connected to nature and the Kami-sama are connected to Nature. Very informative and inspirational.
6:03 The fusing of gods for political control sounds a LOT like how Alexander the Great courted public opinion as the pharaoh of Egypt. After conquering the country, he appealed to the native Egyptians who suffered under prior Persian rule by saying their head god at the time, Amun, the god of secrets was actually another form of Zeus, the god of lightning, and they were worshipped together as one deity, Zeus-Ammon. This also led to creation of other Egyptian/Greek fusion gods that came with the installation of the Ptolemaic monarchy/government after Alexander's passing, such as Serapis (Osiris + Dionysus), Hermanubis (Anubis + Hermes), and Io and Isis becoming one goddess
I’ve noted the numerous shrines that are randomly scattered throughout Japan on visits there. It brought me joy to watch the natives interact. A belief in something more than oneself is a large step to a civilized culture.
(3:34) It all makes sense. Japan technically does not believe in any religion; however, religion is the key to morality in their opinion. This is why they accept domestic religions and Christianity. Christianity shapes western morality like Shinto and Buddhism in Japan.
Thank you for this informative video. I'm a firm believer in freedom of Religion. That's why I'm a Christian. Everyone has to decide what they choose to believe in. It all about " Free will ".
I'm a Ko-Shintoist so I practice (古神道) or Ko-Shinto , I reject the Syncretism of Buddhism and other foreign Religions with Shinto [But not in a Extremist way] To be Ko-Shintoist you must also learn ALOT about Jōmon period 16'000 years ago or Sen Doki period (30'000 years ago +) so I regard it as Pure Shinto however Japan had muliple Ethnic groups in Japan like the Hayato people (Who have several Subgroups) , The Sanka People , Adzumi people (Seafearing/Coast People) and other Ethnic groups. I don't consider myself Religious and I don't spread Dogmatism like those who are [Ultra-Nationalists]. Being a Ko-Shintoist also means also not accepting [State Shinto]. I also spread the teaching of 神代文字 which are Ancient Indigenous writing Scripts of Japan (Some Shinto Shrines use them). There are about 10+ Indigenous writing Scripts in Japan that was used before now Japanese people use [Hiragana , Katana and Kanji] which certainly from foreign influences.
In the anime Kiss X Sis, the main character was standing in a waterfall praying for his earthly desires to be taken away - you reminded me of this with the person training in the waterfall But I am sad that you did not talk about Japanese black magic, like the character from Ranma 1/2 who attaches candles to his head and makes straw voodoo dolls to curse the person taking his love interest
My understanding of the occult scene in Japan is it is presently a mishmash of practices from China, Japan, India, and Europe nowadays. So heaven alone knows which of those the Ranma 1/2 scene you mentioned was drawing from. Though I get the impression that many of the people there have the "if it is foreign magic it is better" mentality so you may see a lot more people interested in things like kabbalah than you would expect.
I agree completely that Buddha would be very disappointed with his modern followers. Originally Buddhism was purely atheistic. The founder Siddhartha Gautama negated existence of gods and even the existence of soul. The only really religious elements were the concept of reincarnation and enlightenment, everything else was pure philosophy. As such it still exists in some south-eastern Asian countries under name Theravada Buddhism. I studied mostly philosophic aspects of Buddhism, so I don't know if teachings of afterlife were part of original Pali canon. In my view, the original point or goal of Buddhism was to escape the inevitable suffering of life and existence, and the endless cycle of reincarnation through Nirvana (enlightenment, or extinguishment, or cooling down) achieved by practicing meditation. Everything else like worship of gods, religious rituals and ceremonies, prayers, priests, are unnecessary waste of time. Everything else that people associate with Buddhism today came later, things like mantras, rituals, prayers etc. When original Buddhism started to decline, most likely because it was too hardcore for average believer, a group people pulled out of their sleeves "secret teachings of Buddha", and said that Siddhartha Gautama was not human, but an Avatar of gods as Brahmans tried to discredit him long before that. Buddhism was a threat to them because it undermined everything they stood for, so they tried to even the field by making Buddha the same as one of their gods, thus putting in question his historicity and everything he stood for. And so common the folk got their bread and circuses, priests managed to profit and preserve their religion, and Buddhism was no longer man and his own strength vs gods and universe, but man praying to gods for salvation. The complete opposite of the original message.
I always found it funny people praying to Buddha for freebies, when the whole idea is that you achieve Nirvana by freeing yourself from desire. There was always the nagging problem, though, that free yourself from desire you must desire it. 😉
@@mikicerise6250 I used to live in Thailand and I would go to temples with Thai friends to 'make merit' together where we chanted with the monks, donated money and pray. Since I am aware of the idea of freeing your desire in Buddhism, I don't wish for anything nor I believe I am making 'merit'. (I don't call myself a Buddhist either, I just like the philosophy.) My Thai friends found it amusing when I said I did not pray for anything. But what I was thinking inside was that they were not supposed to pray 🤣
OHHHH i know where I’ve seen those six divine realms before. heavenly, demi-god, human, animal, hungry ghosts and hell. Those were the names of them six paths of Pain from Naruto. That brings back such good memories. The Naruto vs Pain fight was legendary and definitely a high point in the series.
I find Shinto interesting, and recently I found out about Shugendo which is even more obscure, I wonder how many Japanese people even know about Shugendo
7:10 I used to feel the same as Gautama depicted in this video about Jodo sect (浄土宗). After watching this video, somehow, I suddenly got the idea that Jodo Shinshu (浄土真宗) sect may be a very nice twist of what Gautama found out via the hardest effort. Jodo Shinshu, I feel, promotes the very essence of sarva-dharma-anātman (諸法無我) in an easiest way. Heaven (極楽) in 浄土真宗 may be possibly interpreted as nirvana state in small vehicle Buddhism. It may be pretty wise to brainwash yourself, so to speak, via chanting namu ami dabutsu (南無阿弥陀仏) to get rid of all Duhkha (or suffering 苦), rather than having to go through hardest training in small vehicle. After all, the effort of Gautama has not ended in vein even in Jodo Shinshu. The fruit of Gautama's training was innovation or discovery, so to speak. Like all the scientific discoveries and patents in the modern world, it is not at all logically necessary for the later generation with the wisdom to follow the same trial and error path the innovator had to go through. Jodo Shinshu probably made use of Gautama's discovery in a most efficient way :)
You don't become Buddha just by going to Pure land. When you reach in Pure land your biology body and brain become like Super Computer so you can easily memorize anything and easily to Cultivate and from there Buddha Amithabha himself will teach you personally to reach buddhahood.
The story goes that Christianity was becoming increasingly popular and supplanting Buddhism rapidly, so some genius cult leaders came up with the idea of blending Buddhism together with Christianity, complete with a deity (Amidah) that you can call upon by faith to attain enlightenment rather than the old undesirable way. It is like taking elements of Buddhism and Christianity, and claiming it as their own so they don't have to rely upon foreigners. Too bad it is just made up!
@@user-Void-Star For my curiosity, could you kindly tell me the source(s) of your Buddhism knowledge? Could you tell me how you judge your characterization of Buddhism is solely more orthodox than what are discussed in large vehicle Buddhism sects?
@@decidrophob this sect was meant for lay buddhist people who have no time for Cultivation because of Works. So they can born in pure land where everyone is free from works and so one can cultivate easily in pure land.
Great video and a lot of great info. One extra point is on February 2 1946 all Shrines, Temples, and Churches were controlled by the government. On February 3, 1946 they all became independent all at once and the government was banned from controlling them again in the future. SCAP then banned the government and schools from mentioning religion. I feel that had a huge influence too.
H😂😂😂😂..... Loved it... Thanks for telling about Japan's religion...sorry irreligion in a hilarious way as usual.... Just yesterday I was watching mischievous kiss1 Japanese drama series and there I was bit confused by the marriage ceremony. Your video have enlightened me... lol thanks.
Also I think izanagi brothers. King hoshi or osee was ruled in 730 bce in Samaria and the Shinto today came from king hoshi and izanagi. King hoshi Hebrew name is hoshea Ben elah. The king before the hoshi/izanagi dyansty there were 4 religion in one from either 964 bce or 930 bce ended in 730 bce. Only Shinto from 730 bce until present survived.
My friend Lemi umada goes to shrines regularly & collects stamps in a book. I find it fascinating the different deities & god's. Though I don't want to offend so I never know if I should pray or stand quietly since I don't believe. I just try to be respectful of my friends beliefs.
I was interested in Japan culture since 17 but the religion of Shinto. Also Japan culture like Shinto use salt the mizo or kuki people also use salt for their purpose and Jews does the same thing. Also Japan wash and rince with a cup by the shrine Jews does the same thing also wash their hand 4 times in each hands and some time Jews will rince third mouth to also yamabushi tokin and Jewish teffilen like squre box with string and round box with strings. Also Jews use to do offering to their temple but not any more but in Japan they do. Also Japan impreal family can go back since capital Samaria. Also Japan mythology and Ephraim mythology is the same. Also I was always into battle and Ephraim/Japanese wars since 4 years old. If you take the time and research.
7:24 That's not quite what Pure Land teaches. You are not liberated upon death; instead, you are still reincarnated but in a place prepared by Amida, from where it will be much easier to reach Buddhahood.
Shinto is similar to my own set of beliefs that do not match up with the way I was brought up with in the west. That being an animistic order of things with particular emphasis on the individual experience instead of a collective in group or out group like most other groups do. Was raised Catholic though and have been to Protestant churches too.
I already went to Japan it was very nice to Tokyo Kyoto kobe takayama. Very nice your country very great. My culture is very different then American culture although i live in America.
-- now I know why Isekai genre is so popular in japan, perhaps they really like the idea of being reincarnated as overpowered protagonist -- when you mention about Trunks and Goten Fusion, I thought the fusion of the two religion would be either Bhunto or Shinda, which mean Siddhartha fuse with Amaterasu, and become Shiddharasu or Amadharta... -- in Record of Ragnarok Manga, I was disappointed, that Buddha didn't fight Shiva, but instead Zerofuku, I mean the religion was born in India, as rejection to the caste system, but instead the Buddha was fighting Japanese gods
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I'm so happy and relieved that Japanese religions are flexible enough to adopt the Amazon Prime business model of membership. I can do a 90 day trial subscription to Shinto a few times a year to claim my 'religion points'. Kami Sama please bless Japan for its religious convenience ✊
All the more reason Mashida" s comparison of shrines to convenience stores is so apt
More like the "Book of the Month Club", I think.
An example of Pax Deorum of Roman until christianity as state religion
Ew...
Religion vending machine when?
I think it's pretty cool that the Japanese still keep their ancestors spiritual and religious practices intact. If I'm not wrong, also seems to be more ritual based rather than focusing on set of ideology or dogmatic. I admire it overall tbh.
After all, humans are not perfect and need guidance and help even if they don't know anything about their God~
There are many cultures that still believe or practice similar animistic rituals or celebrations despite adhering to a mainstream religion, for example in Southeast Asia or the Caribbean Voodoo.
In other words, it's mindless ritual, not heartfelt. That's cool?
That's like turning Mecca into Disneyland.
Atheists have dogma despite being irreligious.
They have creation myths like "Once upon a time, slime magically became Frankenslime."
Atheists bash magic but they're full of it.
Atheism spread by the bloody French Revolution and communist holocausts plus forced indoctrination in indoctrination centers called schools. It can never spread by reason. Here in Cambodia, atheists spread their mental virus by murdering everyone against atheism.
@@Deepak_Dhakad The funny thing is, in Bali, they are mixing Hinduism with their own ancestral beliefs, making it double ancestral. It’s interesting to see their differences with the one in India.
I would be in favor of reviving paganism in Europe really. Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Hellenic, Norse paganism and so on.. so many rich traditions waiting to be re-explored
A while back I was doing down research for a video on Ise Grand Shrine (home of the Sun Goddess) and I asked some local people how they felt about foreign people from other religious backgrounds praying there. No one had any objections to this; in fact, most didn’t seem to understand the question! (Not because my Japanese is bad 😆 but because, why would another religion even be an issue?) I don’t know why but I found that so comforting.
Ask them who they are praying to at the various shrines, and most could not tell you exactly.
@@John3.36 I suspect you’re right.
@@John3.36 When religion changes into culture.For example...they say (itadakimasu) before eating, become a culture for them~
Amaterasu. Is there the actual cave of Amaterasu nearby to the Ise Grand Shrine or is it located elsewhere?
In my native country, we have "Sun Gates" that originate from creating stone circles that celebrate the Equinox and Solstice.
Naturally, in the higher latitudes or lower lattiudes (if on a landmass) the sun becomes FUNDAMENTAL to your existence. The great Kami Amaterasu therefore makes a lot of sense to celebrate!
The best days of my life are days I wake and see the dawn and work and see the dusk falling (and cease working then!).
I think Shinto as fundamental reconnection to be "in touch with nature" is very good.
At university a Japanese friend of mine when leaving her tenancy, cleaned the flat, put new lightbulbs in the lights and ensured there was toilet paper in the lavatory and put an origami kami offering in one of the corners of the rooms to bring 'good luck' to the resident kami of the dwelling for the next tenant. She lives long in my memory. A good person.
@@commentarytalk1446 or just culturally obligated and shamed to do certain things. I suspect her true internal self may be different.
thank you for lacing the facts with comedy, this turned very informative while not being boring. i am raised in a family of believer, but sometimes find funny details in religion (at least on ours). i cringe at the fact that some believers radically brag that they are "better" people because of their beliefs, but are non-considerate to others and do actions opposite of what their religion teaches. maybe some percentage of people at least follow their religion's teaching and prevent moral conflicts.
i also experienced christmas in japan (as a foreign worker). to avoid feeling homesick on a christmas eve, I tried to have a walk outside until I decided to get some hot drink and rest at a park. then, I was interrupted by Japanese couple asking me if I can take their photo. soon after taking their photo, I was surprised to see 4 more couples lined up to have their photo taken 🤣, with the guy from last couple generous enough to ask me if I want a photo too (im not pissed that I'm alone in the park, 笑w ). christmas is like valentine's for couple 🤣🤣
Atheism implies: "You are just a puppet of nature, so rape is justified. Just blame nature. Nature made you do it. You will get away with it if society doesn't catch you, 'cause of your opinion that hell doesn't exist."
Atheists typically lie that atheism has no implications, but why do atheists not bow to Mecca? It's 'cause they're atheists. Atheists online are typically bullies pretending to be superior to others. Atheism spreads by bullying.
It's fascinating to see how different people are.
It's like how we didn't (traditionally) have Halloween in my own country but something similar existed on different days (in this case after Christmas).
As an indian i can understand the concept of "being called religious". Video was very informative thanks
Thanks from Hong Kong. Very informative. I have been wondering Japanese attitude towards religion for some time. I do have a feeling that Japanese may generally have negative impression when hearing the word 'religion' due to many modern cult incidents. In Hong Kong when we hear the word 'religion', we generally think it leads people to be virtrous, and only when the opposite happens then it is considered 'superstition' or 'cult', quite a Confucian humanist approach. I observe that religious belief, values and attitude are very personal things, in the west and in the far east(Japan), people seldom talks about it. But people in China, Taiwan and southeast Asia on the other hand are usually not as restrained as Westerners and Japanese, we chat about religions casually but with respect at the same time. So it's good to have this casual explanatory video to unveal the mystery. To me it's Japanese spirituality is more similar to animism/pantheism, than folk religions/shamanism, than established religions the least similar. Thoughts with animistic influence can be seen on many anime! Anyway for me a religion fills in the area of human life where science and philiosphy can't reach, and teaches a person to stay humble.
From my understanding,It's like one inch deep understanding of religions and priorities on practicality .
Deep understanding of Buddhism or Hinduism will not lead to this ,most of the time it is the shallow understanding and peer or cultural pressure or look nice fast food style which leads to this like marriage by Cristian tradition , funeral by Buddhism and shito for luck etc .
In the U.S., people often say they are "spiritual, but not religious". Of course, what I've always believed that to mean is, "superstitious, but too lazy to go to church".
Being a Japanese itself is like being a part of a religion where one has to follow many rules and norms strictly. Japan made its culture like a religion and follows it rigidly without allowing any room for modifications.
It was mainly influenced by Bushido and Confucianism.
You're spot on. Japanese Shinto and culture/customs are so intertwined and inseparable, we can't tell them apart. I do agree being Japanese is a religion on its own.
@subswithoutvids-dw6dv That why japan needs to get rid of the old(kobudo) bushidothat is holding alot of social/emotional progression back. That is why modern(budo) bushido should be hold all the values realistically, and for once(beside the former, which was obviously a social shield and a figurative mask for most of the samurai to be allowed to act as psychotic, self righteous assholes) actually practice some of it. Bushido should not be forgotten, instead be modernized and restructured. If forgotten, future generations will learn about the wrong/old version, which will be definitely used against those young generations that will come into this world. Same with religion, same with identity, things should be thrown away and be forgotten about, but be renewed and repurposed for better things to happen slowly.
I believe it's more likely percieved as spirituality, instead of religion. Like something among the lines "I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual", or "I believe in God but I don't walk to church". Spirituality is private and intimate connection with the Divine and Supernatural, while religion is an organised belief. Idk, for me it's sth along these lines but I may be wrong. Thank You for a great video 💖
That seems like religious is rather perceived as an organized in order to be manipulated while spiritual is more like self-initiated and personal
@@Garviel_Loken. I think so too 🔥
Japanese actually have 3 religions during their life , when they are born they are Shinto, when they are married they are Christian, when they died they are Budhist
That's why if you add up all those people by their officially registered religion you'll get more people than the actual population of Japan.😁
Not really for the wedding. Sure, some do the "chapel" marriage ceremony, and sometimes it is even a real minister and not just a guy (sometimes a foreigner) doing an impersonation of one. But Shinto wedding ceremonies are not rare too. Some Buddhist sects also do weddings. A number of couples just skip the religious thing and just do the dinner part, or sometimes, if short on money, just a photo in costume so that they can have the standard picture to show their children later on.
In any case, Japan is a secular country, and the only legal wedding is the paperwork done at the city hall. There is no running at the altar, because the couple is already legally wed by then.
@@alestane2 it is like fast food , convenience.
Maybe it's because I grew up on Chinese dramas that mix cosmologies, but to me this model makes more sense than any religion out there. I've always thought this is how people naturally function spiritually. It just makes sense to treat religion as a culture and practice, to treat religious tales as fables and folklore intended to educate and instill respect, to get from each whatever traditions and practices you find worthwhile. As far as belief goes, it's always made sense to me that it's not possible to truly believe, nor is it possible to truly not believe. We can think of the world as being created by a force worthy of awe and respect, but it also goes without saying that deities are just representations of concepts. Religion doesn't make sense, nor does the absence of belief. Respect and awe of the unknown forces out there is what it's really about, whichever form that may take.
Great comment, I fully agree.
This is the first time I come across your channel, Meshida. I am very glad that you have clarified the confusing way that the Japanese follow/practice different religions. Looking forward to discovering your other videos now.
Strictly speaking, Buddhism was never meant to be formulated into a Religion despite many of it's adherents and inheritors doing so...
Christianity and Islam were always designed to become Religions spanning continents.
I find myself most in alignment with nature and hence nature religions "keeps things simple" is my preference: Always I find all I want or need going into the wilderness as opposed to civilized cities.
I admire the pragmatic attitude of the Japanese with respect to "religions": It is useful so long as it is used as a tool and nothing more.
In humour often much truth: So it is with this comedic documentary!
When I was a child the stereotype of Japanese people were that they smart, hard working and very good fighters. I'm so glad that it's all true. I love you Japan!☮️❤️💋🇺🇲🇯🇵
Thank you for explaining this from a Japanese perspective in such a creative fashion. The humor actually helped to better understand what texts could not especially for an outsider 😂
In conclusion , lets just keep Shintoism for Japan 😅😂😂
Buddism seem better in my opinion cuz it doesnt have god in man form, while shintoism believes that the emprore is god incarnation
@@sakurakou2009 kokka-shinto, that imperial government shinto, is not practiced. It was barely practiced at the time - you have to see that people didn't even accept it fully back then, and the imperial government made MANY overreaches into what is and isn't "kokka-shinto" in order to give more government control to civil parts of life. Kokka-shinto would decide for example, that a grave is a religious site, and now boom - the government can decide to do whatever they want with any grave in the nation because it's part of the Shinto religion, and the Imperial family/govt "own" the religion. This is an example.
People do not worship the emperor in modern Shinto. and very few would have directly been worshiping the Emperor even back when the government insisted upon it. kokka-shinto or "government-controlled shinto" where the Emperor is an incarnation of Amaterasu worthy of worship was perhaps 200 years of a nation with 4,000 years of religious history. such a seizure of national spirituality, it can be argued, was not the common practice of the Imperial Family at all. Even the introduction of Buddhism happened relatively organically and without universally forcing it upon everyone, with arguments for and against Buddhism within the Imperial Court and outside it, from foreign nations and from native Japanese. This is unique to the barbaric kokka-shinto which nobody believes in. Emperor Showa declared -
"The ties between Us and Our people have always stood upon mutual trust and affection. They do not depend upon mere legends and myths. They are not predicated on the false conception that the Emperor is divine, and that the Japanese people are superior to other races and fated to rule the world."
「朕󠄁ト爾等國民トノ間ノ紐帶ハ、終󠄁始相互ノ信賴ト敬愛トニ依リテ結バレ、單ナル神󠄀話ト傳說トニ依リテ生ゼルモノニ非ズ。天皇ヲ以テ現御神󠄀トシ、且日本國民ヲ以テ他ノ民族ニ優越セル民族ニシテ、延テ世界ヲ支配スベキ運󠄁命ヲ有ストノ架空ナル觀念ニ基クモノニモ非ズ」
So, even the Imperial family and the Emperor have declared that they are not gods incarnated or divine at all. There isn't a "shinto authority" purporting the Emperor to be worthy of worship, or divine, or supreme at all. Buddhism leaves a far easier path to equate certain people of the past as exalted, divine, and worthy of worship, though this isn't the intention, because of these "enlightened" people that it reveres and builds endless statues of.
And in the Philippines (where I live), majority of them are Catholic (and there are muslims as well). Also, I don't like it that those people who call themselves religious or "Devout Catholic" (and attend Sunday Mass) are doing things that are bad outside of Church (like littering or any other sins). Also, there are many Christian celebrations in the Philippines.
There is Freedom of Religion in the Philippines, but sadly, there are still Filipinos who are viewing atheists and agnostics with disdain and say they are satanic (and this is what I totally despise about my country).
And for me, saying they are not religious is like they are saying they do not drink coffee but drink at Starbucks (a correction?).
I have talked with a number of Muslims that told me that Japanese are more Islamic than many Muslims in terms of doing good things :)
Philippines can be described as one of the most hypocritical State that runs on the laws of Religion yet doesn't follow what the Religion prescribes but mastered in finding loopholes 😂
@@Mur-zoUxw so are you atheist?
@@user-Void-Star, no, but I'm a non practicing or a lapsed Catholic.
lol
I work with a Christian non-profit in Japan and in preparation for my role, I've studied Japanese Buddhism and Shinto, read books on the topic and about their history and development, asked many Japanese friends for explanation about the Japanese mind and understanding of religion, and somehow, this video has informed me in a number of areas all those others have yet to do. 😂All I can say is wow and thank you. I really enjoy this channel.
I don't think it is your business to go there and try to convert them.
Mythelot. solicitation for enslavement of mind for a tyrant diety shouldn't be advocated, go back to where you came from instead of being a fallocutor of abrahamic tyrant.
Christian missionaries are the most disgusting scums of the earth, manipulating people when they are at the lowest, destroying local religions, destroying local cultures. Learn about Christianity yourself and the violence it has caused in the past and spare the rest of the world 🙏🏻
@@vineetv I don't imagine you're going to have some night and day change in thought from a RUclips comment, but because it might be useful to hear this perspective, this is why I'm doing what I'm doing: God, Jesus, and the hope of the message of the Bible has changed my life in the greatest way possible: I have love, joy, peace of mind, and the deepest sense of purpose in my life. If I can, I want to share that with my friends and community here in Japan. I don't want my friends to become American, I don't want the American evangelical culture that I grew up around to exist in Japan, and I don't even want my friends' life and faith to look exactly like mine. Bare in mind, this is a 2,000 year old eastern religion with abrahamic roots that go back even further. I know I can't make my friends believe what I do, and I've made peace with that. I have no wish of coercing them to believe what I do. But if I can, I want to share these good things I have and for my friends to know those good things in their life also that come from a relationship with the God of the universe. Again, I'm deeply aware many won't understand, but I'm totally okay with that. If you care, that is some of the mind of someone "crazy" enough to do what I do.
@@Itachi_Uchia1 Show me an atrocity, and I'll condemn it with you. Unfortunately, atrocities have been committed under every banner in history, including the Christian one. That said at the same time, I'd encourage you, as we both condemn atrocities committed under the Christian name, to both look at the contrast of Jesus' actual words in comparison to the power hungry tyrants and evil men who abused religious authority and institutions to do evil, as well as to remember the history of the creation of the printing press, science, and the abolition of slavery in the western world, all which have very Christian roots. History is complicated, no matter how you slice it. Past that, to speak for myself, I love the local culture of my community here, even the beauty of the art and architecture of the temples and shrines around me. I want Japan to remain beautiful Japan. All I want to share is this hope, joy, and love that I have that comes from a relationship with God. You don't have to agree with me, and vice versa, but I figured I'd share a perspective that might be new to you, if you care to hear it.
*My Japanese friend:* I don’t have a religion.
*Also my Japanese friend:* we trim our fingernails into the grave at funerals so the deceased can pay Heaven’s doorman
*Me:* 😳
In these 14 minutes, I've received a more comprehensive education about Japanese religiosity than many books and articles combined. xD
What quality content.
So interesting! Thank you!
How nuanced.
I'm pleased my initial assumption was somewhat accurate: Spiritual Thought has been so integrated in the Japanese Mind, it doesn't even register as Religious Belief anymore, it's just normal everyday thought for them.
What's more, they have a very pragmatic, albeit transactional approach to Religious Piety: People who don't pay their respect to the Kami don't receive their Blessings, and any Kami that don't extend their blessings aren't worth the worship.
This would explain the Ema Plaques I always see at shrines: the Prayers and petitions are recorded to measure results.
This should be proof to any religious or atheist westerner who doubts the Kami's existence - I doubt any shrine would remain 'in business' if the Kami failed to deliver on any Blessing or punishment for their followers.
No, just because you pray for something and it happens doesn't mean the praying caused it, same as everywhere else. If enough people pray at a shrine some of them are going to get what they want.
@@雷-t3j *sigh* you're missing the point.
@@CleverGirlAAH How?
This phenomenon happens a lot in history of Polytheism.
Correlation doesn't mean causation .plus it is true for all gods that sometimes the devotees prayers come to reality sometimes but those gods a lot of the time contradict each other to the point of existence.
So, naturally,it is more like correlation .
Just think more than a skin deep.
I actually love this concept. As someone who is currently learning more about Shinto and a fondness for Buddhism, but not necessarily “extremely religious”, I like the idea of just having daily rituals that fit your life without needing a label.
Humans have a natural yearning for spirituality. But the truth is that only One can fit in that "hole". Not all beliefs can be correct.
Very insightful.. And amazing
Hi Meshida. Very interesting, I leaned a lot more about religion in Japan. I'm a Sami - our ancestors also belived in gods of nature, the sun, moon, rivers, ocean, mountains, wildlife, and so on. I knew that Shinto was an old nature religion, but I didn't that know Japanese people mix Shinto, Buddist and Christian traditions. Where I live, we are mostly Christian, but many still belive that there are forces in the nature that influence our daily life, myself included. Greetings from the land of the midnight sun to the land of the rising sun 🙂
BTW I experienced the rising sun in Ariake, Tokyo in January, it was very beautiful, also the sunset was very colourful and beautiful. I will be back in Tokyo in July to see Band-Maid live at Zepp Shinjuku.
In 6:50
The Purgatory Dimension is also called the Shura (修羅) dimension. People there have a more pleasurable life than humans but they are consumed by envy of the Devas in the God World Dimension.
The Brute Dimension is simply the world of animals.
A Shura often comes in the form of a humanoid titan with 3 faces and 3 or 2 pairs of arms. Evil Shuras are called Raksasa (or Rasetsu if you are Japanese.)
Thanks! Definitely in my top 5 favorite vids thus far! Super informative, and I hope you crank out more educational ones, with your witty jokes weaved in of course!!!
AJO san
Arigato!! I'll do my best!!!
@@Meshida can you talk about Japanese acceptance of sexual liberties and freedoms. Like you have anime hentai and you have anime yaoi etc. Is Japanese society gay friendly or homophobic/unfriendly to lgbtq, or sexually repressed (purity culture) despite these avenues of entertainment. Or is this asking too much lol. I don’t want to infringe if it is im just interested in the cultural viewpoints of this. And it’s not a judgment on the cultural views either
@@Meshida and if it’s an uncomfortable topic please don’t do it
This is so cool. Thank you for this video.
Interesting... The "namu amida butsu" mantra reminds me of the Christian version of the "get-out-of-jail-for-free" prayer; "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner"... Repeated many times in meditation, it might seem like "cheating", but people swear by it.
many Americans who respond "none," to the question of their religion, actually attend the same church most Sundays, but these churches are not Catholic or Baptist or Methodist, are not affiliated with a large denomination, although they're often in larger associations. they think of themselves as Christian but don't see Christianity as a "religion," the way that they see Methodism as a religion.
8:52 I am christian but I am glad japan isn't christian. I come from an asian country with deep tradition and cultural roots. I can feel in my own family and other christian families, these tradition and cultural roots have become extremely diluted.
I have never been religious! My mom used to force me to go to church until I was 10 years old. I remember when I was younger, I would always get kicked out of my Sunday School class, because I would always ask questions that would poke holes in Christian logic! For instance, I once asked my Sunday School teacher, "so how did Noah figure out how to make it hot for the lions and cold for the penguins on the ark, since there was no electricity, heating, or air-conditioning 6,000 years ago?" And she kicked me out of the room! I'm an Atheist, but I do still celebrate Easter and Christmas, due to Christianity's heavy influence on American culture. Sometimes I like to fuck around with street preachers, by yelling, "Hail Satan!" Just seeing the horror on their faces just makes me laugh! The Satanic Panic that started in America back in the 1950's, is still alive and well!
You weren't "poking holes in christian logic" you were just being an unpleasant know it all brat, trying to make your teacher look foolish, asking questions at innapropriate times. It's hard to have patience with someone who clearly does not have a genuine question but is just trying to be a jerk. Sorry to burst your bubble but if that was the best "gotcha, christians!" question you could think of, you're not as clever as you seem to think you are. "Why did God create Satan" is a much smarter question and i always admire atheists who ask it, because it's a genuinely great question and presents a chance for me to share one of the main aspects of Christian faith. But if you ask questions in bad spirit, no one is going to take you seriously and engage in discussion with you... Hope this explains what actually happened 😊 if you want to "disprove" the Bible you'll have to do better. Try reading it. Knowing the subject might help you think of better questions. And to answer the question, God made all the animals enter two by two in an orderly fashion into the ark; that alone was a much bigger miracle than the temperature thing, i think He can just as easily keep them comfortable with the temperature. The world was flooded with rain so i imagine most of the ark was kept warm by God or else all the animals including Noah would have died. Sometimes a little deductive thinking can aswer such questions. When the 3 young hebrews refused to bow before the babylonian king's statue, they were thrown into a large brick furnace, made 7 times hotter than usual. When they came out, their clothes weren't scorched or even warm. We Christians believe in an all-powerful God, because His word says He is. It's that simple. All the answers are in the scripture. And there is more than enough found evidence that proves the Bible.
Hi watching from India, I don't usually watch Japanese RUclipsrs but you are funny and I like your accent. Earned a sub from me.👍
I learned a lot about Shinto by proxy via games, and honestly I feel it is the most authentic Japanese belief system, even if it is not strictly organized or standardized. It's a pity that such positive things became diluted over time via outside influences of all kinds, but it's a kind of tradition that should be preserved.
I can see a lot of similarities between Japan and India when it comes to religion. Hinduism and sintoism falls in nature religion category
It's so strange this video came out, I actually bought a book about Shinto Kami the other day. Reading about all the Japanese gods and how Japan was created has been so interesting!
Enjoyed the video thanks for sharing
Meshida Sensei ,you know I love your humor 👏 but this time I'm serious. This video is very educational and humorous at the same time. I recommend for ANYONE curious about Nihon Teki!
Thank you very much for providing a very informative content about Japanese culture. Very interesting
His discussion about "namu amida butsu," though very funny, reminds me so much of the arguments between Catholics/Orthodox versus Protestants who believe that "faith alone" can bring you to heaven. Interesting to see so much religious parallels between Buddhism and Christianity.
Thank you for this rich information.
If I guide people around Japanese temples I always say "your thoughts don't matter only your behaviour, the priests don't care whether you believe it or not, as long as you behave respectfully you can sightsee these places"
Also: the road towards god is always by stairs!
And
Temples will sell you luck by the kilo in the form of lucky charms.
2 days ago I was in kurashiki and that particular God was very picky and only wanted his offering in the local currency! Which makes me question: does God suffer from inflation as well? And does the luck God gives you become less when the offer becomes worth less due to inflation?
So many questions.....
(Which is why I can't believe in religion, my mind starts rationalising everything)
try Islam. no need to go far first, just watch some speaker corner YT videos, basically some muslims open stall in public space and accept any questions from anyone like atheists, christians, trans, gays, etc about Islam and they always try talking from rational stand points instead simply believing it.
there multiples speaker corner channels but I suggest The Muslim Lantern cuz the guy on calmer side when doing it so it more enjoyable to listen.
As ever, fascinating and informative, Meshida-Sensei.
Pretty similar to the Vietnamese people. Vietnam is one of the largest atheist country in the world by name, most of the population would say they are not religious if asked (including me), yet the de facto national religion is Buddism.
Actually, it was once our national religion under the Lý Dynasty (朝李) from the 1000s.
Everyone often visit temples and pagodas on special occasions, especially at Tet (Traditional New Year Eve). Not to mention, almost every Vietnamese family has a Buddha altar at home beside the ancestors' altar (except people following other religions ofc).
I think this story is not unique only to Japan but other Asian countries as well, especially ones neighboring China.
Very informative as well as entertaining! Thanks.
Best explanation I've heard yet! Thank you so much for the video!
Subscribed to your channel. Your humour is 200% Japanese. When I went to Japan I was very impressed by Shinto and by the huge importance it has in the heart of Japanese people.
Meshida san should do a follow up religion video on why Japanese belief in ghosts, spirits, yokai, etc etc , thank you
I need to re-listen..liked this very much.
😂 "sacred casino" 😂
You're a genius dude!
Great video ❤ I practice Shinto and Zen Buddhism. It isn't that japanese aren't religious. It's that they are spiritual people. They are connected to nature and the Kami-sama are connected to Nature. Very informative and inspirational.
6:03 The fusing of gods for political control sounds a LOT like how Alexander the Great courted public opinion as the pharaoh of Egypt. After conquering the country, he appealed to the native Egyptians who suffered under prior Persian rule by saying their head god at the time, Amun, the god of secrets was actually another form of Zeus, the god of lightning, and they were worshipped together as one deity, Zeus-Ammon.
This also led to creation of other Egyptian/Greek fusion gods that came with the installation of the Ptolemaic monarchy/government after Alexander's passing, such as Serapis (Osiris + Dionysus), Hermanubis (Anubis + Hermes), and Io and Isis becoming one goddess
Great educational video... thanks Meshida
I’ve noted the numerous shrines that are randomly scattered throughout Japan on visits there. It brought me joy to watch the natives interact. A belief in something more than oneself is a large step to a civilized culture.
I just found your channel and I am enjoying your videos a lot!
(3:34) It all makes sense. Japan technically does not believe in any religion; however, religion is the key to morality in their opinion. This is why they accept domestic religions and Christianity. Christianity shapes western morality like Shinto and Buddhism in Japan.
Thank you for this informative video.
I'm a firm believer in freedom of Religion.
That's why I'm a Christian.
Everyone has to decide what they choose to believe in.
It all about " Free will ".
Well not if your brought and raise in a certain religion of course
@@lornajames who said that? Everyone from any faith can believe on that and some people even atheists can't believe on that too, troll.
Obviously but Ham's curse..ring a bell?
I'm a Ko-Shintoist so I practice (古神道) or Ko-Shinto , I reject the Syncretism of Buddhism and other foreign Religions with Shinto [But not in a Extremist way] To be Ko-Shintoist you must also learn ALOT about Jōmon period 16'000 years ago or Sen Doki period (30'000 years ago +) so I regard it as Pure Shinto however Japan had muliple Ethnic groups in Japan like the Hayato people (Who have several Subgroups) , The Sanka People , Adzumi people (Seafearing/Coast People) and other Ethnic groups. I don't consider myself Religious and I don't spread Dogmatism like those who are [Ultra-Nationalists]. Being a Ko-Shintoist also means also not accepting [State Shinto]. I also spread the teaching of 神代文字 which are Ancient Indigenous writing Scripts of Japan (Some Shinto Shrines use them). There are about 10+ Indigenous writing Scripts in Japan that was used before now Japanese people use [Hiragana , Katana and Kanji] which certainly from foreign influences.
I love your channel so much! Love from Syria
Yes. I belong to seicho no ie. they are big in United States and Mexico and South America. They have classes in Spanish. Downey California
Hahaha .. laughed so hard when you said religious believers in Japan are like Amazon Prime Users when it comes to numbers .. 🤣
In the anime Kiss X Sis, the main character was standing in a waterfall praying for his earthly desires to be taken away - you reminded me of this with the person training in the waterfall
But I am sad that you did not talk about Japanese black magic, like the character from Ranma 1/2 who attaches candles to his head and makes straw voodoo dolls to curse the person taking his love interest
My understanding of the occult scene in Japan is it is presently a mishmash of practices from China, Japan, India, and Europe nowadays. So heaven alone knows which of those the Ranma 1/2 scene you mentioned was drawing from. Though I get the impression that many of the people there have the "if it is foreign magic it is better" mentality so you may see a lot more people interested in things like kabbalah than you would expect.
great topic
Well first time seeing one of your videos, it didn't take a full three minutes for me to see why you call yourself a comedian.
That was a good one.
I agree completely that Buddha would be very disappointed with his modern followers. Originally Buddhism was purely atheistic. The founder Siddhartha Gautama negated existence of gods and even the existence of soul. The only really religious elements were the concept of reincarnation and enlightenment, everything else was pure philosophy. As such it still exists in some south-eastern Asian countries under name Theravada Buddhism. I studied mostly philosophic aspects of Buddhism, so I don't know if teachings of afterlife were part of original Pali canon. In my view, the original point or goal of Buddhism was to escape the inevitable suffering of life and existence, and the endless cycle of reincarnation through Nirvana (enlightenment, or extinguishment, or cooling down) achieved by practicing meditation. Everything else like worship of gods, religious rituals and ceremonies, prayers, priests, are unnecessary waste of time.
Everything else that people associate with Buddhism today came later, things like mantras, rituals, prayers etc. When original Buddhism started to decline, most likely because it was too hardcore for average believer, a group people pulled out of their sleeves "secret teachings of Buddha", and said that Siddhartha Gautama was not human, but an Avatar of gods as Brahmans tried to discredit him long before that. Buddhism was a threat to them because it undermined everything they stood for, so they tried to even the field by making Buddha the same as one of their gods, thus putting in question his historicity and everything he stood for. And so common the folk got their bread and circuses, priests managed to profit and preserve their religion, and Buddhism was no longer man and his own strength vs gods and universe, but man praying to gods for salvation. The complete opposite of the original message.
I always found it funny people praying to Buddha for freebies, when the whole idea is that you achieve Nirvana by freeing yourself from desire. There was always the nagging problem, though, that free yourself from desire you must desire it. 😉
@@mikicerise6250 I used to live in Thailand and I would go to temples with Thai friends to 'make merit' together where we chanted with the monks, donated money and pray. Since I am aware of the idea of freeing your desire in Buddhism, I don't wish for anything nor I believe I am making 'merit'. (I don't call myself a Buddhist either, I just like the philosophy.) My Thai friends found it amusing when I said I did not pray for anything. But what I was thinking inside was that they were not supposed to pray 🤣
I finally have a proper answer to one of the biggest questions I’ve ever had regarding Japan. Thank you Hentai-sama 🙇
This was pure gold! Also, new subscriber!
Very Interesting
OHHHH i know where I’ve seen those six divine realms before. heavenly, demi-god, human, animal, hungry ghosts and hell. Those were the names of them six paths of Pain from Naruto. That brings back such good memories. The Naruto vs Pain fight was legendary and definitely a high point in the series.
I find Shinto interesting, and recently I found out about Shugendo which is even more obscure, I wonder how many Japanese people even know about Shugendo
Sweet video. Funny as well
7:10 I used to feel the same as Gautama depicted in this video about Jodo sect (浄土宗).
After watching this video, somehow, I suddenly got the idea that Jodo Shinshu (浄土真宗) sect may be a very nice twist of what Gautama found out via the hardest effort. Jodo Shinshu, I feel, promotes the very essence of sarva-dharma-anātman (諸法無我) in an easiest way. Heaven (極楽) in 浄土真宗 may be possibly interpreted as nirvana state in small vehicle Buddhism. It may be pretty wise to brainwash yourself, so to speak, via chanting namu ami dabutsu (南無阿弥陀仏) to get rid of all Duhkha (or suffering 苦), rather than having to go through hardest training in small vehicle.
After all, the effort of Gautama has not ended in vein even in Jodo Shinshu. The fruit of Gautama's training was innovation or discovery, so to speak. Like all the scientific discoveries and patents in the modern world, it is not at all logically necessary for the later generation with the wisdom to follow the same trial and error path the innovator had to go through. Jodo Shinshu probably made use of Gautama's discovery in a most efficient way :)
You don't become Buddha just by going to Pure land. When you reach in Pure land your biology body and brain become like Super Computer so you can easily memorize anything and easily to Cultivate and from there Buddha Amithabha himself will teach you personally to reach buddhahood.
The story goes that Christianity was becoming increasingly popular and supplanting Buddhism rapidly, so some genius cult leaders came up with the idea of blending Buddhism together with Christianity, complete with a deity (Amidah) that you can call upon by faith to attain enlightenment rather than the old undesirable way. It is like taking elements of Buddhism and Christianity, and claiming it as their own so they don't have to rely upon foreigners. Too bad it is just made up!
@@user-Void-Star For my curiosity, could you kindly tell me the source(s) of your Buddhism knowledge? Could you tell me how you judge your characterization of Buddhism is solely more orthodox than what are discussed in large vehicle Buddhism sects?
@@decidrophob Buddha Shakyamuni is the one who told about Buddha Amithabha Pure land. That's how Sect of Pure land came to be.
@@decidrophob this sect was meant for lay buddhist people who have no time for Cultivation because of Works. So they can born in pure land where everyone is free from works and so one can cultivate easily in pure land.
Not sure what happened to the video from 13:09-13:50 but the sound goes super wonky there. Great work as always Meshida, I enjoyed the video!
Great video and a lot of great info. One extra point is on February 2 1946 all Shrines, Temples, and Churches were controlled by the government. On February 3, 1946 they all became independent all at once and the government was banned from controlling them again in the future. SCAP then banned the government and schools from mentioning religion. I feel that had a huge influence too.
Thanks!
Its called Wyapi Wyapaka Nirvikara in Hinduism. Since Budha and Hindu had the same roots. It might applied as well in Japanese belief
Insightful and well-researched.
Indigenous East Asian and indigenous African religions nearly mirror one another. It's interesting.
H😂😂😂😂..... Loved it... Thanks for telling about Japan's religion...sorry irreligion in a hilarious way as usual....
Just yesterday I was watching mischievous kiss1 Japanese drama series and there I was bit confused by the marriage ceremony. Your video have enlightened me... lol thanks.
Thanks!
mabuse san
Arigatoooo!! I really appreciate!!!
Also I think izanagi brothers. King hoshi or osee was ruled in 730 bce in Samaria and the Shinto today came from king hoshi and izanagi. King hoshi Hebrew name is hoshea Ben elah. The king before the hoshi/izanagi dyansty there were 4 religion in one from either 964 bce or 930 bce ended in 730 bce. Only Shinto from 730 bce until present survived.
a japanese cannot be unreligious: the emperor is the chief priest of shintoism
I always wondered about a scene in Toradora where Taiga says grace then later claims she doesn't believe in God.
My friend Lemi umada goes to shrines regularly & collects stamps in a book. I find it fascinating the different deities & god's. Though I don't want to offend so I never know if I should pray or stand quietly since I don't believe. I just try to be respectful of my friends beliefs.
Lol, Love the "Own Goal" T-shirt. I was supporting Germany in the World Cup, Japan beating both them and Spain was a pleasant surprise.
Excellent video great learning material with a laugh.
I was interested in Japan culture since 17 but the religion of Shinto. Also Japan culture like Shinto use salt the mizo or kuki people also use salt for their purpose and Jews does the same thing. Also Japan wash and rince with a cup by the shrine Jews does the same thing also wash their hand 4 times in each hands and some time Jews will rince third mouth to also yamabushi tokin and Jewish teffilen like squre box with string and round box with strings. Also Jews use to do offering to their temple but not any more but in Japan they do. Also Japan impreal family can go back since capital Samaria. Also Japan mythology and Ephraim mythology is the same. Also I was always into battle and Ephraim/Japanese wars since 4 years old. If you take the time and research.
Great funny video XD
Because being Japanese is itself a religion. Read Shichihei Yamamoto.
Wow, I learned a lot! Thanks.
One question please, why are there even mini hidden temples in Tokyo?
Thanks man
6:55 I get the first 3 realms and the last one, but Brute Dimension and Hungry Ghosts? That's a new one me!
Boku wa nippon ga, ZOMBIELAND” da to yobaremasu!
7:24 That's not quite what Pure Land teaches. You are not liberated upon death; instead, you are still reincarnated but in a place prepared by Amida, from where it will be much easier to reach Buddhahood.
high priest Meshida nailed it!
Shinto is similar to my own set of beliefs that do not match up with the way I was brought up with in the west. That being an animistic order of things with particular emphasis on the individual experience instead of a collective in group or out group like most other groups do. Was raised Catholic though and have been to Protestant churches too.
I already went to Japan it was very nice to Tokyo Kyoto kobe takayama. Very nice your country very great. My culture is very different then American culture although i live in America.
How many shrines are in convenience stores in Japan?
-- now I know why Isekai genre is so popular in japan, perhaps they really like the idea of being reincarnated as overpowered protagonist
-- when you mention about Trunks and Goten Fusion, I thought the fusion of the two religion would be either Bhunto or Shinda, which mean Siddhartha fuse with Amaterasu, and become Shiddharasu or Amadharta...
-- in Record of Ragnarok Manga, I was disappointed, that Buddha didn't fight Shiva, but instead Zerofuku, I mean the religion was born in India, as rejection to the caste system, but instead the Buddha was fighting Japanese gods
Geez, posting at this time, commitment! stay safe brother~
Wow this was interesting