Formative Elements of Japanese Buddhism

Among the middle and lower classes, where Buddhism is at its strongest, moral courage is at its weakest. As Mr. Imai Toshimichi admirably observed in his excellent study original: "monograph" on Bushido The traditional samurai code of honor and morals., the principles of Bushido are often put on like a soldier's uniform and then laid aside once the period of military service is over. Neither Bushido nor Confucianism has ever truly reached the lower levels original: "strata" of Japanese society.

(3). According to Buddhism, there was no single act of creation. Matter, Mind, and Law are all "co-eternal and co-equal." In some respects, they are actually one and the same. This concept is not unique to Buddhism. The Confucian theologian who speaks of Ten (Divine Power), Ri (the Divine Word), and Ki (Divine Energy) views these three as manifestations of the same thing. Together, they comprise the sum total of all things, both material and immaterial. Therefore, in this view, one cannot say there was ever a time when the material world did not exist. In the Oriental conception, there never was a "Creation" in the Western sense of the term.

But while Buddhism rejects a Creator and a Creation, it does accept a Trinity, just as the Shushi school The Neo-Confucian philosophy of Zhu Xi (1130–1200), which became the official state ideology of the Tokugawa Shogunate. of Confucianism—which is prevalent in Japan—does. It conceives of Mind, Shinnyo Absolute reality or "Thusness.", and Law as a co-eternal and co-equal Trinity. However, it also sees a Trinity within Mind (Buddha), within Shinnyo, and within Law. This is similar to certain heretics in the early days original: "Formative Period" of Christianity who claimed there were three Fathers, three Sons, and three Holy Ghosts.

Existence is believed to take place simultaneously in three worlds or spheres. "Two worlds are ours," says the Christian poet; "three worlds are ours," a Buddhist singer would say. We live:

1. In the world of matter, which we can feel, touch, and see. We share this with all of Nature.
2. In the world of intellect and feeling, which we share with all our fellow humans. This is the sphere of life where, for example, we can communicate thoughts through writing, a look, or speech.
3. In the abstract...