Hokkaido:4

Hokkaido was a country different from Japan for a while. Remnants of Edo shogunate established "蝦夷共和国"(Ezo Kyouwa koku, Ezo republic). However it seems there is no evidence that the governors called the country Ezo kyouwa koku. Any way, it was an independent state as a matter of practice. The state's life span was just 6 months or so.



Ezo's army and Meiji Government's army fought at Hakodate. Even though Ezo fought well, finally it lost. Amid the war a famous samurai, 土方歳三(Hijikata Toshizo), was died.(Meiji government is westernized-imperial- Japan.)



Hijikata was born into farmer's family in Musashi province(Tokyo prefecture). He studied swordsmanship of 天然理心流 (Tennen rishin ryu). Once he decided to go to Kyoto and became a member of 新撰組(Shinsengumi). Later he became a vice-president of Shinsengumi and a high-placed shogun's retainer. Mostly, farmer can't become a Samurai in the era. The reason he became it is diminished Shogun's authority. He fought many times and he won all his own wars but because Shogunate lost the wars, Hijikata lost.



The president of Ezo republic was 榎本武揚(Enomoto Takkeaki) who was a shogun's retainer. He was a commander of fleet of shogunate. He escape from Edo(Tokyo) and reached at Hakodate. He became a president of Ezo republic by election, and Hijikata became a vise-magistrate of Ezo army.



Hijikata never lost war in Hakodate too. There was no greater commander than Hijikata in Japan. Ezo was inferior in numbers to Meiji Japan, but Hijikata came up with tactics which can work miracles(in TV drama's story). But Hjikata was die in battle before Ezo implement the tactics. He made a sally to rescue behalf and he died in the battle. At last, Ezo gave in to Meiji Japan. Enomoto Takeaki filled successively key position of Meiji government.



Hijikata knew his destiny that he would die in battle. However, he decided to die as a samurai in battle. Hijikata lost so many colleague by his own command. He never wanted to survive alone. Hijikata became longing samurai, I think he wanted to live in battle as a samurai by the end of his life, and pledged to die for colleagues who have died. Hijikata Toshizo became one of the best samurai in history. Hijikata's death is plausive, I think.



A memorial park is in Hakodate. There is a gate, Ippongi gate. Hjikata went through the gate before he died. I prayed in front of stone monument of Hijikata. Although I'm not, there are many fan of Hijikata even now.



No one knows where Hijikata's bodies was buried. Some one say it is foot of Hakodate mountain and someone say it is Goryokaku fortress.



I composed poems.



1. もののふの　道（こころ）をやどす　北の風　今も揺るがぬ　函館の山



もののふの　こころをやどす　きたのかぜ　いまもゆるがぬ　はこだてのやま



Mononofu-no Kokoro-wo-yadosu kita-no-kaze imamo-yuruganu Hakodate-no-yama.



It means:



The north wind blows with Hijikata's spirit

Hakodate mountain remains unbudging







2. もののふの　夢路を通る　北の風　名を吹き上げよ　函館の山



もののふの　ゆめじをとおる　きたのかぜ　なをふきあげよ　はこだてのやま



Mononofu-no Yumeji-wo-tooru kita-no-kaze na-wo-fukiageyo hakodate-no-yama.



It means:



The north wind, sweeping past the land of dreams, blows heavenwardly to glorify Hijikata.





Today's poems were difficult to translate. But Chibisan gave me a great help. Thank you very much Chibisan!



(Once I thought I edit this blog, It seems I've click "Preview". And I edit this blog again.)



I took the photo, the mountain is Hakodate mountain.



Thank you very much for your reading my blogs about Hokkaido.

Hokkaido:4

Hokkaido was a country different from Japan for a while. Remnants of Edo shogunate established "蝦夷共和国"(Ezo Kyouwa koku, Ezo republic). However it seems there is no evidence that the governors called the country Ezo kyouwa koku. Any way, it was an independent state as a matter of practice. The state's life span was just 6 months or so.



Ezo's army and Meiji Government's army fought at Hakodate. Even though Ezo fought well, finally it lost. Amid the war a famous samurai, 土方歳三(Hijikata Toshizo), was died.(Meiji government is westernized-imperial- Japan.)



Hijikata was born into farmer's family in Musashi province(Tokyo prefecture). He studied swordsmanship of 天然理心流 (Tennen rishin ryu). Once he decided to go to Kyoto and became a member of 新撰組(Shinsengumi). Later he became a vice-president of Shinsengumi and a high-placed shogun's retainer. Mostly, farmer can't become a Samurai in the era. The reason he became it is diminished Shogun's authority. He fought many times and he won all his own wars but because Shogunate lost the wars, Hijikata lost.



The president of Ezo republic was 榎本武揚(Enomoto Takkeaki) who was a shogun's retainer. He was a commander of fleet of shogunate. He escape from Edo(Tokyo) and reached at Hakodate. He became a president of Ezo republic by election, and Hijikata became a vise-magistrate of Ezo army.



Hijikata never lost war in Hakodate too. There was no greater commander than Hijikata in Japan. Ezo was inferior in numbers to Meiji Japan, but Hijikata came up with tactics which can work miracles(in TV drama's story). But Hjikata was die in battle before Ezo implement the tactics. He made a sally to rescue behalf and he died in the battle. At last, Ezo gave in to Meiji Japan. Enomoto Takeaki filled successively key position of Meiji government.



Hijikata knew his destiny that he would die in battle. However, he decided to die as a samurai in battle. Hijikata lost so many colleague by his own command. He never wanted to survive alone. Hijikata became longing samurai, I think he wanted to live in battle as a samurai by the end of his life, and pledged to die for colleagues who have died. Hijikata Toshizo became one of the best samurai in history. Hijikata's death is plausive, I think.



A memorial park is in Hakodate. There is a gate, Ippongi gate. Hjikata went through the gate before he died. I prayed in front of stone monument of Hijikata. Although I'm not, there are many fan of Hijikata even now.



No one knows where Hijikata's bodies was buried. Some one say it is foot of Hakodate mountain and someone say it is Goryokaku fortress.



I composed poems.



1. もののふの　道（こころ）をやどす　北の風　今も揺るがぬ　函館の山



もののふの　こころをやどす　きたのかぜ　いまもゆるがぬ　はこだてのやま



Mononofu-no Kokoro-wo-yadosu kita-no-kaze imamo-yuruganu Hakodate-no-yama.



It means:



The north wind blows with Hijikata's spirit

Hakodate mountain remains unbudging







2. もののふの　夢路を通る　北の風　名を吹き上げよ　函館の山



もののふの　ゆめじをとおる　きたのかぜ　なをふきあげよ　はこだてのやま



Mononofu-no Yumeji-wo-tooru kita-no-kaze na-wo-fukiageyo hakodate-no-yama.



It means:



The north wind, sweeping past the land of dreams, blows heavenwardly to glorify Hijikata.





Today's poems were difficult to translate. But Chibisan gave me a great help. Thank you very much Chibisan!



(Once I thought I edit this blog, It seems I've click "Preview". And I edit this blog again.)



I took the photo, the mountain is Hakodate mountain.



Thank you very much for your reading my blogs about Hokkaido.

Hokkaido:3

Japan is not a racially homogeneous nation. Japanese consist of Japanese race and Ryukyu race and Ainu race. Ryukyu race live in Okinawa and Ainu race live in Hokkaido. There are many Ainu's geographic name in Hokkaido.



The taxi driver show me a statue of a White Bear. It is a god of Ainu people. Because bears gave them its meat. Thanks to bears, Ainu people could ingest its protein. All bears in Hokkaido is black but because they are god, the color is white. I guessed ancient Ainu people have met white bears living in arctic circle. And they thought white bears are Gods. I think Ainu people are nature-friendly. And I can guess that Ainu's life is not easy. The more environment is hard to live, people become nature-friendly as Native Americans.



Originally, Ainu people lived in north and east part of mainland Japan too. Japanese race invaded their land and evict them or some or many Ainu merged with Japanese race. It seems the family race of prime minister Abe is Ainu.



In addition, in Kanto region, Koreans lived and pioneered. Thus there are many geographic name originated from Korean language. For example, Asagaya, Ichigaya, Sedagaya and so on. The "ya(谷)" is from Korean. In Japanese, precisely we read 谷 "tani" or "dani" or "Koku". Korean brought Horse soldier's culture in Japan. The Koreans were refugees. Japanese imperial court made them to immigrate in Kanto region which was isolated wilderness.



I've heard Ainu people were discriminate by Japanese until not long ago. My friend who is elder than me said "When I was a child, once I wallowed in a pond, Japanese were just looking but a Ainu's poppa jumped into the pond in aid of me. I never allow to discriminate Ainu. Most respectability man in my life is the Ainu."



Any way, I do enjoyed this trip. I made a Senryu.



カニ食べて　イカ食べイクラ　ウニマグロ　フグひれ酒で　僕はゆでだこ



かにたべて　いかたべいくら　うにまぐろ　ふぐひれざけで　ぼくはゆでだこ



Kanitabete Ikatabe Ikura Uni maguro Fuguhirezakede Boku ha yudedako



It means:

I ate crabs, I ate squids, salmon caviar, echinoid and tuna, drank Sake with fin of blowfish, I became a red, I am a boiled octopus.



食べるだけ　食べて満足　北海道　顔腹心　全て真ん丸



たべるだけ　たべてまんぞく　ほっかいどう　かおはらこころ　すべてまんまる。



Taberudake Tabete Manzoku Hokkaido Kao hara kokoro subete manmaru.



I am gratified, I ate as well as I want to eat, In Hokkaido, My face, tum and heart are round full.





Today, I bought a Digital Camera named IXY (10,000,000 pixel). I look forward to take photos of Red leaves. I can't wait.



I took the photo in a hot spring I took.



Next blog is Hokkaido:4 (Samurai)

Hokkaido:3

Japan is not a racially homogeneous nation. Japanese consist of Japanese race and Ryukyu race and Ainu race. Ryukyu race live in Okinawa and Ainu race live in Hokkaido. There are many Ainu's geographic name in Hokkaido.



The taxi driver show me a statue of a White Bear. It is a god of Ainu people. Because bears gave them its meat. Thanks to bears, Ainu people could ingest its protein. All bears in Hokkaido is black but because they are god, the color is white. I guessed ancient Ainu people have met white bears living in arctic circle. And they thought white bears are Gods. I think Ainu people are nature-friendly. And I can guess that Ainu's life is not easy. The more environment is hard to live, people become nature-friendly as Native Americans.



Originally, Ainu people lived in north and east part of mainland Japan too. Japanese race invaded their land and evict them or some or many Ainu merged with Japanese race. It seems the family race of prime minister Abe is Ainu.



In addition, in Kanto region, Koreans lived and pioneered. Thus there are many geographic name originated from Korean language. For example, Asagaya, Ichigaya, Sedagaya and so on. The "ya(谷)" is from Korean. In Japanese, precisely we read 谷 "tani" or "dani" or "Koku". Korean brought Horse soldier's culture in Japan. The Koreans were refugees. Japanese imperial court made them to immigrate in Kanto region which was isolated wilderness.



I've heard Ainu people were discriminate by Japanese until not long ago. My friend who is elder than me said "When I was a child, once I wallowed in a pond, Japanese were just looking but a Ainu's poppa jumped into the pond in aid of me. I never allow to discriminate Ainu. Most respectability man in my life is the Ainu."



Any way, I do enjoyed this trip. I made a Senryu.



カニ食べて　イカ食べイクラ　ウニマグロ　フグひれ酒で　僕はゆでだこ



かにたべて　いかたべいくら　うにまぐろ　ふぐひれざけで　ぼくはゆでだこ



Kanitabete Ikatabe Ikura Uni maguro Fuguhirezakede Boku ha yudedako



It means:

I ate crabs, I ate squids, salmon caviar, echinoid and tuna, drank Sake with fin of blowfish, I became a red, I am a boiled octopus.



食べるだけ　食べて満足　北海道　顔腹心　全て真ん丸



たべるだけ　たべてまんぞく　ほっかいどう　かおはらこころ　すべてまんまる。



Taberudake Tabete Manzoku Hokkaido Kao hara kokoro subete manmaru.



I am gratified, I ate as well as I want to eat, In Hokkaido, My face, tum and heart are round full.





Today, I bought a Digital Camera named IXY (10,000,000 pixel). I look forward to take photos of Red leaves. I can't wait.



I took the photo in a hot spring I took.



Next blog is Hokkaido:4 (Samurai)

Hokkaido:2

Hokkaido:2



I hailed a taxi and I went to observation tower in Hakodate. The driver was very kind man and He once lived in Saitama prefecture where I live now. As we chat, It seems that he like me, The driver take me about Hakodate with him stopping his fare mater. And He said"I'm glad to take on passenger who like Hakodate in addition you are from Tokorozawa, Saitama my remembrance place, my kids was born and I reared them. I'll take you at 2,000 yen" (actually it costs 15,000yen). It was so nice offer, I beg of it. His Jokes were so funny and I got laughing many times and his explanation was very good.



As modern city, Hakodate is most traditional city in Japan. Many westerners visited there and lived there. Now big monastery is in Hakodate. They never emerge from the monastery except right before their death. The driver said there are only 3 taxi drivers who can ride the religieuses right before their death and the driver is it. It seems he is a christian. I thought I'm lucky because I wanted to know about christian faith in Hakodate.　A great cenobite from france is in Hakodate. He controls Trappistine convent established in 1898. The driver said he is so nice man and he is great man.



According to the driver, cathedrals of Christian faith were consular office in Edo era(sakurai's era). He taught me the meanings of appearance of buildings and decorations on the top of buildings. He said There are Buddhists and Christians. But they never fight each other. They are nice friend. Rather christian sects fight each other. I though its situation is common in Japan. I haven't hated christian rather I think christian faith is great religion.



He said good one. "History is very important for humankind but you shouldn't think of history of yourself until 45 years old. Whatever you make mistakes, you go straight, Don't let it get you down, then you can pioneer your way.".　I thought he is wise man. There are many people have much knowledge and graduated highly selective university but people have wisdom are rare. Wisdom is not in books but in mind. The driver is person to look up to, I think. I decided to cherish his word. If there is bodhisattva in the world, bodhisattva acquainted him.



He told me where good ramen shop is. I went to there at midnight and it was so delicious. I compose a Haiku with me seeing Tsugaru Straits in outdoor hot spring bath next morning.



湯けむりの　朝もやおおう　津軽の海



ゆけむりの　あさもやおおう　つがるのうみ



Yukemurino Asamoyaoou Tugaru no umi.



It means:



Tsugaru Straits, streamed with morning mist, made by steam of hot springs.





When I came back from Hokkaido, I was astonished in front of my mailbox because I was noticed that I passed pre-1st grade Eiken(English Language Proficiency test)'s test conducted by Education Ministry.



It was great trip.



Next blog is "Hokkaido:3"

Hokkaido:2

Hokkaido:2



I hailed a taxi and I went to observation tower in Hakodate. The driver was very kind man and He once lived in Saitama prefecture where I live now. As we chat, It seems that he like me, The driver take me about Hakodate with him stopping his fare mater. And He said"I'm glad to take on passenger who like Hakodate in addition you are from Tokorozawa, Saitama my remembrance place, my kids was born and I reared them. I'll take you at 2,000 yen" (actually it costs 15,000yen). It was so nice offer, I beg of it. His Jokes were so funny and I got laughing many times and his explanation was very good.



As modern city, Hakodate is most traditional city in Japan. Many westerners visited there and lived there. Now big monastery is in Hakodate. They never emerge from the monastery except right before their death. The driver said there are only 3 taxi drivers who can ride the religieuses right before their death and the driver is it. It seems he is a christian. I thought I'm lucky because I wanted to know about christian faith in Hakodate.　A great cenobite from france is in Hakodate. He controls Trappistine convent established in 1898. The driver said he is so nice man and he is great man.



According to the driver, cathedrals of Christian faith were consular office in Edo era(sakurai's era). He taught me the meanings of appearance of buildings and decorations on the top of buildings. He said There are Buddhists and Christians. But they never fight each other. They are nice friend. Rather christian sects fight each other. I though its situation is common in Japan. I haven't hated christian rather I think christian faith is great religion.



He said good one. "History is very important for humankind but you shouldn't think of history of yourself until 45 years old. Whatever you make mistakes, you go straight, Don't let it get you down, then you can pioneer your way.".　I thought he is wise man. There are many people have much knowledge and graduated highly selective university but people have wisdom are rare. Wisdom is not in books but in mind. The driver is person to look up to, I think. I decided to cherish his word. If there is bodhisattva in the world, bodhisattva acquainted him.



He told me where good ramen shop is. I went to there at midnight and it was so delicious. I compose a Haiku with me seeing Tsugaru Straits in outdoor hot spring bath next morning.



湯けむりの　朝もやおおう　津軽の海



ゆけむりの　あさもやおおう　つがるのうみ



Yukemurino Asamoyaoou Tugaru no umi.



It means:



Tsugaru Straits, streamed with morning mist, made by steam of hot springs.





When I came back from Hokkaido, I was astonished in front of my mailbox because I was noticed that I passed pre-1st grade Eiken(English Language Proficiency test)'s test conducted by Education Ministry.



It was great trip.



Next blog is "Hokkaido:3"

Hokkaido:2

Hokkaido:2



I hailed a taxi and I went to observation tower in Hakodate. The driver was very kind man and He once lived in Saitama prefecture where I live now. As we chat, It seems that he like me, The driver take me about Hakodate with him stopping his fare mater. And He said"I'm glad to take on passenger who like Hakodate in addition you are from Tokorozawa, Saitama my remembrance place, my kids was born and I reared them. I'll take you at 2,000 yen" (actually it costs 15,000yen). It was so nice offer, I beg of it. His Jokes were so funny and I got laughing many times and his explanation was very good.



As modern city, Hakodate is most traditional city in Japan. Many westerners visited there and lived there. Now big monastery is in Hakodate. They never emerge from the monastery except right before their death. The driver said there are only 3 taxi drivers who can ride the religieuses right before their death and the driver is it. It seems he is a christian. I thought I'm lucky because I wanted to know about christian faith in Hakodate.　A great cenobite from france is in Hakodate. He controls Trappistine convent established in 1898. The driver said he is so nice man and he is great man.



According to the driver, cathedrals of Christian faith were consular office in Edo era(sakurai's era). He taught me the meanings of appearance of buildings and decorations on the top of buildings. He said There are Buddhists and Christians. But they never fight each other. They are nice friend. Rather christian sects fight each other. I though its situation is common in Japan. I haven't hated christian rather I think christian faith is great religion.



He said good one. "History is very important for humankind but you shouldn't think of history of yourself until 45 years old. Whatever you make mistakes, you go straight, Don't let it get you down, then you can pioneer your way.".　I thought he is wise man. There are many people have much knowledge and graduated highly selective university but people have wisdom are rare. Wisdom is not in books but in mind. The driver is person to look up to, I think. I decided to cherish his word. If there is bodhisattva in the world, bodhisattva acquainted him.



He told me where good ramen shop is. I went to there at midnight and it was so delicious. I compose a Haiku with me seeing Tsugaru Straits in outdoor hot spring bath next morning.



湯けむりの　朝もやおおう　津軽の海



ゆけむりの　あさもやおおう　つがるのうみ



Yukemurino Asamoyaoou Tugaru no umi.



It means:



Tsugaru Straits, streamed with morning mist, made by steam of hot springs.





When I came back from Hokkaido, I was astonished in front of my mailbox because I was noticed that I passed pre-1st grade Eiken(English Language Proficiency test)'s test conducted by Education Ministry.



It was great trip.



Next blog is "Hokkaido:3"

Hokkaido:2

Hokkaido:2



I hailed a taxi and I went to observation tower in Hakodate. The driver was very kind man and He once lived in Saitama prefecture where I live now. As we chat, It seems that he like me, The driver take me about Hakodate with him stopping his fare mater. And He said"I'm glad to take on passenger who like Hakodate in addition you are from Tokorozawa, Saitama my remembrance place, my kids was born and I reared them. I'll take you at 2,000 yen" (actually it costs 15,000yen). It was so nice offer, I beg of it. His Jokes were so funny and I got laughing many times and his explanation was very good.



As modern city, Hakodate is most traditional city in Japan. Many westerners visited there and lived there. Now big monastery is in Hakodate. They never emerge from the monastery except right before their death. The driver said there are only 3 taxi drivers who can ride the religieuses right before their death and the driver is it. It seems he is a christian. I thought I'm lucky because I wanted to know about christian faith in Hakodate.　A great cenobite from france is in Hakodate. He controls Trappistine convent established in 1898. The driver said he is so nice man and he is great man.



According to the driver, cathedrals of Christian faith were consular office in Edo era(sakurai's era). He taught me the meanings of appearance of buildings and decorations on the top of buildings. He said There are Buddhists and Christians. But they never fight each other. They are nice friend. Rather christian sects fight each other. I though its situation is common in Japan. I haven't hated christian rather I think christian faith is great religion.



He said good one. "History is very important for humankind but you shouldn't think of history of yourself until 45 years old. Whatever you make mistakes, you go straight, Don't let it get you down, then you can pioneer your way.".　I thought he is wise man. There are many people have much knowledge and graduated highly selective university but people have wisdom are rare. Wisdom is not in books but in mind. The driver is person to look up to, I think. I decided to cherish his word. If there is bodhisattva in the world, bodhisattva acquainted him.



He told me where good ramen shop is. I went to there at midnight and it was so delicious. I compose a Haiku with me seeing Tsugaru Straits in outdoor hot spring bath next morning.



湯けむりの　朝もやおおう　津軽の海



ゆけむりの　あさもやおおう　つがるのうみ



Yukemurino Asamoyaoou Tugaru no umi.



It means:



Tsugaru Straits, streamed with morning mist, made by steam of hot springs.





When I came back from Hokkaido, I was astonished in front of my mailbox because I was noticed that I passed pre-1st grade Eiken(English Language Proficiency test)'s test conducted by Education Ministry.



It was great trip.



Next blog is "Hokkaido:3"

Hokkaido:3

Japan is not a racially homogeneous nation. Japanese consist of Japanese race and Ryukyu race and Ainu race. Ryukyu race live in Okinawa and Ainu race live in Hokkaido. There are many Ainu's geographic name in Hokkaido.



The taxi driver show me a statue of a White Bear. It is a god of Ainu people. Because bears gave them its meat. Thanks to bears, Ainu people could ingest its protein. All bears in Hokkaido is black but because they are god, the color is white. I guessed ancient Ainu people have met white bears living in arctic circle. And they thought white bears are Gods. I think Ainu people are nature-friendly. And I can guess that Ainu's life is not easy. The more environment is hard to live, people become nature-friendly as Native Americans.



Originally, Ainu people lived in north and east part of mainland Japan too. Japanese race invaded their land and evict them or some or many Ainu merged with Japanese race. It seems the family race of prime minister Abe is Ainu.



In addition, in Kanto region, Koreans lived and pioneered. Thus there are many geographic name originated from Korean language. For example, Asagaya, Ichigaya, Sedagaya and so on. The "ya(è°·)" is from Korean. In Japanese, precisely we read è°· "tani" or "dani" or "Koku". Korean brought Horse soldier's culture in Japan. The Koreans were refugees. Japanese imperial court made them to immigrate in Kanto region which was isolated wilderness.



I've heard Ainu people were discriminate by Japanese until not long ago. My friend who is elder than me said "When I was a child, once I wallowed in a pond, Japanese were just looking but a Ainu's poppa jumped into the pond in aid of me. I never allow to discriminate Ainu. Most respectability man in my life is the Ainu."



Any way, I do enjoyed this trip. I made a Senryu.



カニ食べて　イカ食べイクラ　ウニマグロ　フグひれ酒で　僕はゆでだこ



かにたべて　いかたべいくら　うにまぐろ　ふぐひれざけで　ぼくはゆでだこ



Kanitabete Ikatabe Ikura Uni maguro Fuguhirezakede Boku ha yudedako



It means:

I ate crabs, I ate squids, salmon caviar, echinoid and tuna, drank Sake with fin of blowfish, I became a red, I am a boiled octopus.



食べるだけ　食べて満足　北海道　顔腹心　全て真ん丸



たべるだけ　たべてまんぞく　ほっかいどう　かおはらこころ　すべてまんまる。



Taberudake Tabete Manzoku Hokkaido Kao hara kokoro subete manmaru.



I am gratified, I ate as well as I want to eat, In Hokkaido, My face, tum and heart are round full.





Today, I bought a Digital Camera named IXY (10,000,000 pixel). I look forward to take photos of Red leaves. I can't wait.



I took the photo in a hot spring I took.



Next blog is Hokkaido:4 (Samurai)

Hokkaido:3

Japan is not a racially homogeneous nation. Japanese consist of Japanese race and Ryukyu race and Ainu race. Ryukyu race live in Okinawa and Ainu race live in Hokkaido. There are many Ainu's geographic name in Hokkaido.



The taxi driver show me a statue of a White Bear. It is a god of Ainu people. Because bears gave them its meat. Thanks to bears, Ainu people could ingest its protein. All bears in Hokkaido is black but because they are god, the color is white. I guessed ancient Ainu people have met white bears living in arctic circle. And they thought white bears are Gods. I think Ainu people are nature-friendly. And I can guess that Ainu's life is not easy. The more environment is hard to live, people become nature-friendly as Native Americans.



Originally, Ainu people lived in north and east part of mainland Japan too. Japanese race invaded their land and evict them or some or many Ainu merged with Japanese race. It seems the family race of prime minister Abe is Ainu.



In addition, in Kanto region, Koreans lived and pioneered. Thus there are many geographic name originated from Korean language. For example, Asagaya, Ichigaya, Sedagaya and so on. The "ya(谷)" is from Korean. In Japanese, precisely we read 谷 "tani" or "dani" or "Koku". Korean brought Horse soldier's culture in Japan. The Koreans were refugees. Japanese imperial court made them to immigrate in Kanto region which was isolated wilderness.



I've heard Ainu people were discriminate by Japanese until not long ago. My friend who is elder than me said "When I was a child, once I wallowed in a pond, Japanese were just looking but a Ainu's poppa jumped into the pond in aid of me. I never allow to discriminate Ainu. Most respectability man in my life is the Ainu."



Any way, I do enjoyed this trip. I made a Senryu.



カニ食べて　イカ食べイクラ　ウニマグロ　フグひれ酒で　僕はゆでだこ



かにたべて　いかたべいくら　うにまぐろ　ふぐひれざけで　ぼくはゆでだこ



Kanitabete Ikatabe Ikura Uni maguro Fuguhirezakede Boku ha yudedako



It means:

I ate crabs, I ate squids, salmon caviar, echinoid and tuna, drank Sake with fin of blowfish, I became a red, I am a boiled octopus.



食べるだけ　食べて満足　北海道　顔腹心　全て真ん丸



たべるだけ　たべてまんぞく　ほっかいどう　かおはらこころ　すべてまんまる。



Taberudake Tabete Manzoku Hokkaido Kao hara kokoro subete manmaru.



I am gratified, I ate as well as I want to eat, In Hokkaido, My face, tum and heart are round full.





Today, I bought a Digital Camera named IXY (10,000,000 pixel). I look forward to take photos of Red leaves. I can't wait.



I took the photo in a hot spring I took.



Next blog is Hokkaido:4 (Samurai)

Hokkaido:1

I think people in Hokkaido live in a kind of different world. The climate in Hokkaido is very different from mainland Japan. Air temperature is very low but the air and wind are very comfortable. People's countenance are neat. It was very cold but the coldness is different from mainland Japan.　I enjoy the non-offensive wind. Foods are very delicious, at least than Tokyo.



This time I went to Sapporo, Ebetsu, Otaru, Onuma and Hakodate. Today I write about my trip in Sapporo, Otaru and Onuma.



In Sapporo and Ebetsu, I was so busy. So I didn't enjoy there except one thing. I went to Odori-Koen park in centre of Sapporo and I enjoyed illuminated park. Decorated trees and a tower are so beautiful.



Then I went to Otaru, a port town. Otaru was a financial district in Meiji era(19th). I guess in the age of ships, Otaru was a centre of this region. I ate Kani-jiru(crab soup) and Sashimi and Tendon and Sanshoku-don(contains Ikura and Uni and crab).



The Sashimi I ate was Tuna's sashimi. It was so delicious. In Tokyo, it is hard to eat such Sashimi at a low price. I was astonished the taste. It was genuine Sashimi. In the moment I ate it, I was astonished and feel the world has changed. My brain was activated in the wink of an eye.



Then once I backed to Sapporo and got on a express train named "Super Hokuto" and I arrived Hakodate. It took 3 hours and 30 minutes to go there. When I arrived Hakodate, at first I sung a song "はーーーるばるーーーきたぜはーーこだーてーーー". I went to a Katsugyo restaurant and I ate Katsu-sashi of squid. Katsu-sashi means live fish Sashimi. Tentacles of them were moving and I picked them up and I ate. The suckers sucked my tongue and it was delicious. Raw Liver is very delicacy. I ate them with Fugu-hire Zake. Fugu-hire means 　balloon fish's ray. A hot sake contains a balloon fish's ray. It was so delicious.



Next morning, I went to Onuma National nature park. Seeing a great mountain called Komagadake, I took a walk on the islands in a big lake. I bought Onuma-dango. Dango is dumpling cake made of rice or wheat flour. Surface of the lake reflected trees and sky and riffled. In Tendai Buddhism, earthly desires were described as riffle on surface. But I thought riffles are so beautiful and must be that earthly desires are also beautiful. I saw many white birch there and I sang "しらかば〜〜あおぞ〜〜〜ぉおらっ、み〜〜なみ〜〜〜か〜ぁあああぜ〜〜".



Those songs I sang are very popular in Japan.



I took the photo at Sapporo odori koen.

Hokkaido:1

I think people in Hokkaido live in a kind of different world. The climate in Hokkaido is very different from mainland Japan. Air temperature is very low but the air and wind are very comfortable. People's countenance are neat. It was very cold but the coldness is different from mainland Japan.　I enjoy the non-offensive wind. Foods are very delicious, at least than Tokyo.



This time I went to Sapporo, Ebetsu, Otaru, Onuma and Hakodate. Today I write about my trip in Sapporo, Otaru and Onuma.



In Sapporo and Ebetsu, I was so busy. So I didn't enjoy there except one thing. I went to Odori-Koen park in centre of Sapporo and I enjoyed illuminated park. Decorated trees and a tower are so beautiful.



Then I went to Otaru, a port town. Otaru was a financial district in Meiji era(19th). I guess in the age of ships, Otaru was a centre of this region. I ate Kani-jiru(crab soup) and Sashimi and Tendon and Sanshoku-don(contains Ikura and Uni and crab).



The Sashimi I ate was Tuna's sashimi. It was so delicious. In Tokyo, it is hard to eat such Sashimi at a low price. I was astonished the taste. It was genuine Sashimi. In the moment I ate it, I was astonished and feel the world has changed. My brain was activated in the wink of an eye.



Then once I backed to Sapporo and got on a express train named "Super Hokuto" and I arrived Hakodate. It took 3 hours and 30 minutes to go there. When I arrived Hakodate, at first I sung a song "はーーーるばるーーーきたぜはーーこだーてーーー". I went to a Katsugyo restaurant and I ate Katsu-sashi of squid. Katsu-sashi means live fish Sashimi. Tentacles of them were moving and I picked them up and I ate. The suckers sucked my tongue and it was delicious. Raw Liver is very delicacy. I ate them with Fugu-hire Zake. Fugu-hire means 　balloon fish's ray. A hot sake contains a balloon fish's ray. It was so delicious.



Next morning, I went to Onuma National nature park. Seeing a great mountain called Komagadake, I took a walk on the islands in a big lake. I bought Onuma-dango. Dango is dumpling cake made of rice or wheat flour. Surface of the lake reflected trees and sky and riffled. In Tendai Buddhism, earthly desires were described as riffle on surface. But I thought riffles are so beautiful and must be that earthly desires are also beautiful. I saw many white birch there and I sang "しらかば〜〜あおぞ〜〜〜ぉおらっ、み〜〜なみ〜〜〜か〜ぁあああぜ〜〜".



Those songs I sang are very popular in Japan.



I took the photo at Sapporo odori koen.

Hokkaido:1

I think people in Hokkaido live in a kind of different world. The climate in Hokkaido is very different from mainland Japan. Air temperature is very low but the air and wind are very comfortable. People's countenance are neat. It was very cold but the coldness is different from mainland Japan.　I enjoy the non-offensive wind. Foods are very delicious, at least than Tokyo.



This time I went to Sapporo, Ebetsu, Otaru, Onuma and Hakodate. Today I write about my trip in Sapporo, Otaru and Onuma.



In Sapporo and Ebetsu, I was so busy. So I didn't enjoy there except one thing. I went to Odori-Koen park in centre of Sapporo and I enjoyed illuminated park. Decorated trees and a tower are so beautiful.



Then I went to Otaru, a port town. Otaru was a financial district in Meiji era(19th). I guess in the age of ships, Otaru was a centre of this region. I ate Kani-jiru(crab soup) and Sashimi and Tendon and Sanshoku-don(contains Ikura and Uni and crab).



The Sashimi I ate was Tuna's sashimi. It was so delicious. In Tokyo, it is hard to eat such Sashimi at a low price. I was astonished the taste. It was genuine Sashimi. In the moment I ate it, I was astonished and feel the world has changed. My brain was activated in the wink of an eye.



Then once I backed to Sapporo and got on a express train named "Super Hokuto" and I arrived Hakodate. It took 3 hours and 30 minutes to go there. When I arrived Hakodate, at first I sung a song "はーーーるばるーーーきたぜはーーこだーてーーー". I went to a Katsugyo restaurant and I ate Katsu-sashi of squid. Katsu-sashi means live fish Sashimi. Tentacles of them were moving and I picked them up and I ate. The suckers sucked my tongue and it was delicious. Raw Liver is very delicacy. I ate them with Fugu-hire Zake. Fugu-hire means 　balloon fish's ray. A hot sake contains a balloon fish's ray. It was so delicious.



Next morning, I went to Onuma National nature park. Seeing a great mountain called Komagadake, I took a walk on the islands in a big lake. I bought Onuma-dango. Dango is dumpling cake made of rice or wheat flour. Surface of the lake reflected trees and sky and riffled. In Tendai Buddhism, earthly desires were described as riffle on surface. But I thought riffles are so beautiful and must be that earthly desires are also beautiful. I saw many white birch there and I sang "しらかば〜〜あおぞ〜〜〜ぉおらっ、み〜〜なみ〜〜〜か〜ぁあああぜ〜〜".



Those songs I sang are very popular in Japan.



I took the photo at Sapporo odori koen.

Hokkaido:1

I think people in Hokkaido live in a kind of different world. The climate in Hokkaido is very different from mainland Japan. Air temperature is very low but the air and wind are very comfortable. People's countenance are neat. It was very cold but the coldness is different from mainland Japan.　I enjoy the non-offensive wind. Foods are very delicious, at least than Tokyo.



This time I went to Sapporo, Ebetsu, Otaru, Onuma and Hakodate. Today I write about my trip in Sapporo, Otaru and Onuma.



In Sapporo and Ebetsu, I was so busy. So I didn't enjoy there except one thing. I went to Odori-Koen park in centre of Sapporo and I enjoyed illuminated park. Decorated trees and a tower are so beautiful.



Then I went to Otaru, a port town. Otaru was a financial district in Meiji era(19th). I guess in the age of ships, Otaru was a centre of this region. I ate Kani-jiru(crab soup) and Sashimi and Tendon and Sanshoku-don(contains Ikura and Uni and crab).



The Sashimi I ate was Tuna's sashimi. It was so delicious. In Tokyo, it is hard to eat such Sashimi at a low price. I was astonished the taste. It was genuine Sashimi. In the moment I ate it, I was astonished and feel the world has changed. My brain was activated in the wink of an eye.



Then once I backed to Sapporo and got on a express train named "Super Hokuto" and I arrived Hakodate. It took 3 hours and 30 minutes to go there. When I arrived Hakodate, at first I sung a song "はーーーるばるーーーきたぜはーーこだーてーーー". I went to a Katsugyo restaurant and I ate Katsu-sashi of squid. Katsu-sashi means live fish Sashimi. Tentacles of them were moving and I picked them up and I ate. The suckers sucked my tongue and it was delicious. Raw Liver is very delicacy. I ate them with Fugu-hire Zake. Fugu-hire means 　balloon fish's ray. A hot sake contains a balloon fish's ray. It was so delicious.



Next morning, I went to Onuma National nature park. Seeing a great mountain called Komagadake, I took a walk on the islands in a big lake. I bought Onuma-dango. Dango is dumpling cake made of rice or wheat flour. Surface of the lake reflected trees and sky and riffled. In Tendai Buddhism, earthly desires were described as riffle on surface. But I thought riffles are so beautiful and must be that earthly desires are also beautiful. I saw many white birch there and I sang "しらかば〜〜あおぞ〜〜〜ぉおらっ、み〜〜なみ〜〜〜か〜ぁあああぜ〜〜".



Those songs I sang are very popular in Japan.



I took the photo at Sapporo odori koen.

Random Thoughts, Appearance Of The World. (and additions)

As I recall, according to Thomas Aquinas, The one which moved at the start of space is the God. This is very interesting concept for me. Because there is no starting point and ending point in Buddha's world(at least, in Kegon buddhism).



Although I don't know much about Christian faith, I think the difference between Christian faith and Buddhism is that whether God of creation is or not.



Once, I tried to study about Aristotle's theology to confirm whether he thought there is any God of creation or not. However, I couldn't found it soon and I've forgot that I have the question. It is said that Aristotle's theology affected Thomas Aquinas's thought.



Once I was interesting in philosophy of Baruch De Spinoza who set up

"deus sive natura". It means "The God is the nature", "神即自然" (Kami-soku-shizen) in Japanese.



According to Spinoza, The God is nature because the God is the alone entity. However, I had a question whether he thought the God he mentioned is the God of creation or not. I couldn't find the answer and I've forgot that I had the question.



I want to learn about it. If someone knows it. Please tell me about it. The God they mentioned are the creator? I'll post this question to YAHOO Answers.



If pantheistic God created this world, that all things are buddha and that all things are the God are very different from each. Taishaku's net can't contain the God of creation. If a jewel was the God of creation, or if the net was the god of creation, we need to assume that there is a something created the net. But any thing can't exist out of the net. Existences in the net must interdepend. A existence can't make the net from inside of the net. If it could, it isn't the net.



This question is not my original. I know, as I recall, 本居宣長(Motoori Norinaga) who was a savant in Edo era made a similar question, rather, as for him, he criticized the thought of Christian faith. For me, I don't criticize Christian faith because I think I do understand about dark side of Buddhism and I just think about philosophy.



According to one my teacher who is a Zen monk, there is not any line expressing time length in Buddha's world(as far as I know, at least, Zen and Kegon buddhist world), and we can express time length with sphere. Then I realized there is no starting point and ending point in Buddhist world. I think if you write a starting point on the sphere, you will find there is no edge. In our common sense, there is two edges. One is starting point, the other is ending point. Our commonsense is not available on the sphere.



Therefore, if Aristotle and Spinoza thought the God is the God of creation, the world's appearance about "time" become very different from Buddhist world. Christian's is like measuring rule and Buddhist's world is a sphere.



Then how buddhists think about the creation? If someone ask Buddha about this question, Buddha could answer by silence. The silence is the answer. As I recall, a teacher explain about it that Buddha meant there isn't much point in thinking about metaphysical speculation. We call this answer 無記答(Mukitou). That is, it means no answer is the answer.



鈴木大拙(Daisetsu Suzuki) explained about this issue "松尾芭蕉(Matsuo Bashou) 's poem expresses the answer. "



古池や蛙飛び込む水の音

ふるいけや　かわずとびこむ　みずのおと

Furuike-ya Kawazu Tobikomu Mizu-no-oto



It means: A sound, a flog jump into an old pond.



According to Daisetsu Suzuki, perfectly horizontal surface of the old pond is the world which didn't begin. Then a wave arose. The moment is the start point of this world.



Once, I asked a teacher of Japanese classic literature whether Daisetsu's theory is right or wrong? Smiling, He said "I have no idea.". Anyway, I think this Daisetsu's explanation is artful.



My teacher said that according to 李通玄(Ri-tsugen) who was a chinese savant studied Kegon buddhism, past and future and present are present, present consists of past and present and future, past and future are mirage, like this, past and future are in our world, we always are in present, "get be strong on present.". I think this view is linked to Sado's 一期一会(Ichigo-Ichie).



As for The creation? Ultimately, I have no idea.=D



The photo: It is a garden in Tenryu-ji-temple in Kyoto. The pond was named 曹源池(Sogen-ike).



I wrote this blog with my wish someone has interst in philosophy of all ages and cultures.





In addition. (THU)

Some friends said there was time of imaginary number. However, it is not the answer of creation. Whoever made the time, and even if we can go to past or future, we can't elude from present. Because wherever we are, our mind is in present. Just past or future becomes present. And time traveling doesn't mean we can go to the starting point. If there was nothing we can't go, I think. If we can go there, and if there was only The God of creation, we who are the wold before starting point means we are the God. If there is only world of cycle of rebirth, what made this world? This is very thought provoking issue.

Random Thoughts, Appearance Of The World. (and additions)

As I recall, according to Thomas Aquinas, The one which moved at the start of space is the God. This is very interesting concept for me. Because there is no starting point and ending point in Buddha's world(at least, in Kegon buddhism).



Although I don't know much about Christian faith, I think the difference between Christian faith and Buddhism is that whether God of creation is or not.



Once, I tried to study about Aristotle's theology to confirm whether he thought there is any God of creation or not. However, I couldn't found it soon and I've forgot that I have the question. It is said that Aristotle's theology affected Thomas Aquinas's thought.



Once I was interesting in philosophy of Baruch De Spinoza who set up

"deus sive natura". It means "The God is the nature", "神即自然" (Kami-soku-shizen) in Japanese.



According to Spinoza, The God is nature because the God is the alone entity. However, I had a question whether he thought the God he mentioned is the God of creation or not. I couldn't find the answer and I've forgot that I had the question.



I want to learn about it. If someone knows it. Please tell me about it. The God they mentioned are the creator? I'll post this question to YAHOO Answers.



If pantheistic God created this world, that all things are buddha and that all things are the God are very different from each. Taishaku's net can't contain the God of creation. If a jewel was the God of creation, or if the net was the god of creation, we need to assume that there is a something created the net. But any thing can't exist out of the net. Existences in the net must interdepend. A existence can't make the net from inside of the net. If it could, it isn't the net.



This question is not my original. I know, as I recall, 本居宣長(Motoori Norinaga) who was a savant in Edo era made a similar question, rather, as for him, he criticized the thought of Christian faith. For me, I don't criticize Christian faith because I think I do understand about dark side of Buddhism and I just think about philosophy.



According to one my teacher who is a Zen monk, there is not any line expressing time length in Buddha's world(as far as I know, at least, Zen and Kegon buddhist world), and we can express time length with sphere. Then I realized there is no starting point and ending point in Buddhist world. I think if you write a starting point on the sphere, you will find there is no edge. In our common sense, there is two edges. One is starting point, the other is ending point. Our commonsense is not available on the sphere.



Therefore, if Aristotle and Spinoza thought the God is the God of creation, the world's appearance about "time" become very different from Buddhist world. Christian's is like measuring rule and Buddhist's world is a sphere.



Then how buddhists think about the creation? If someone ask Buddha about this question, Buddha could answer by silence. The silence is the answer. As I recall, a teacher explain about it that Buddha meant there isn't much point in thinking about metaphysical speculation. We call this answer 無記答(Mukitou). That is, it means no answer is the answer.



鈴木大拙(Daisetsu Suzuki) explained about this issue "松尾芭蕉(Matsuo Bashou) 's poem expresses the answer. "



古池や蛙飛び込む水の音

ふるいけや　かわずとびこむ　みずのおと

Furuike-ya Kawazu Tobikomu Mizu-no-oto



It means: A sound, a flog jump into an old pond.



According to Daisetsu Suzuki, perfectly horizontal surface of the old pond is the world which didn't begin. Then a wave arose. The moment is the start point of this world.



Once, I asked a teacher of Japanese classic literature whether Daisetsu's theory is right or wrong? Smiling, He said "I have no idea.". Anyway, I think this Daisetsu's explanation is artful.



My teacher said that according to 李通玄(Ri-tsugen) who was a chinese savant studied Kegon buddhism, past and future and present are present, present consists of past and present and future, past and future are mirage, like this, past and future are in our world, we always are in present, "get be strong on present.". I think this view is linked to Sado's 一期一会(Ichigo-Ichie).



As for The creation? Ultimately, I have no idea.=D



The photo: It is a garden in Tenryu-ji-temple in Kyoto. The pond was named 曹源池(Sogen-ike).



I wrote this blog with my wish someone has interst in philosophy of all ages and cultures.





In addition. (THU)

Some friends said there was time of imaginary number. However, it is not the answer of creation. Whoever made the time, and even if we can go to past or future, we can't elude from present. Because wherever we are, our mind is in present. Just past or future becomes present. And time traveling doesn't mean we can go to the starting point. If there was nothing we can't go, I think. If we can go there, and if there was only The God of creation, we who are the wold before starting point means we are the God. If there is only world of cycle of rebirth, what made this world? This is very thought provoking issue.

Random Thoughts, Appearance Of The World. (and additions)

As I recall, according to Thomas Aquinas, The one which moved at the start of space is the God. This is very interesting concept for me. Because there is no starting point and ending point in Buddha's world(at least, in Kegon buddhism).



Although I don't know much about Christian faith, I think the difference between Christian faith and Buddhism is that whether God of creation is or not.



Once, I tried to study about Aristotle's theology to confirm whether he thought there is any God of creation or not. However, I couldn't found it soon and I've forgot that I have the question. It is said that Aristotle's theology affected Thomas Aquinas's thought.



Once I was interesting in philosophy of Baruch De Spinoza who set up

"deus sive natura". It means "The God is the nature", "神即自然" (Kami-soku-shizen) in Japanese.



According to Spinoza, The God is nature because the God is the alone entity. However, I had a question whether he thought the God he mentioned is the God of creation or not. I couldn't find the answer and I've forgot that I had the question.



I want to learn about it. If someone knows it. Please tell me about it. The God they mentioned are the creator? I'll post this question to YAHOO Answers.



If pantheistic God created this world, that all things are buddha and that all things are the God are very different from each. Taishaku's net can't contain the God of creation. If a jewel was the God of creation, or if the net was the god of creation, we need to assume that there is a something created the net. But any thing can't exist out of the net. Existences in the net must interdepend. A existence can't make the net from inside of the net. If it could, it isn't the net.



This question is not my original. I know, as I recall, 本居宣長(Motoori Norinaga) who was a savant in Edo era made a similar question, rather, as for him, he criticized the thought of Christian faith. For me, I don't criticize Christian faith because I think I do understand about dark side of Buddhism and I just think about philosophy.



According to one my teacher who is a Zen monk, there is not any line expressing time length in Buddha's world(as far as I know, at least, Zen and Kegon buddhist world), and we can express time length with sphere. Then I realized there is no starting point and ending point in Buddhist world. I think if you write a starting point on the sphere, you will find there is no edge. In our common sense, there is two edges. One is starting point, the other is ending point. Our commonsense is not available on the sphere.



Therefore, if Aristotle and Spinoza thought the God is the God of creation, the world's appearance about "time" become very different from Buddhist world. Christian's is like measuring rule and Buddhist's world is a sphere.



Then how buddhists think about the creation? If someone ask Buddha about this question, Buddha could answer by silence. The silence is the answer. As I recall, a teacher explain about it that Buddha meant there isn't much point in thinking about metaphysical speculation. We call this answer 無記答(Mukitou). That is, it means no answer is the answer.



鈴木大拙(Daisetsu Suzuki) explained about this issue "松尾芭蕉(Matsuo Bashou) 's poem expresses the answer. "



古池や蛙飛び込む水の音

ふるいけや　かわずとびこむ　みずのおと

Furuike-ya Kawazu Tobikomu Mizu-no-oto



It means: A sound, a flog jump into an old pond.



According to Daisetsu Suzuki, perfectly horizontal surface of the old pond is the world which didn't begin. Then a wave arose. The moment is the start point of this world.



Once, I asked a teacher of Japanese classic literature whether Daisetsu's theory is right or wrong? Smiling, He said "I have no idea.". Anyway, I think this Daisetsu's explanation is artful.



My teacher said that according to 李通玄(Ri-tsugen) who was a chinese savant studied Kegon buddhism, past and future and present are present, present consists of past and present and future, past and future are mirage, like this, past and future are in our world, we always are in present, "get be strong on present.". I think this view is linked to Sado's 一期一会(Ichigo-Ichie).



As for The creation? Ultimately, I have no idea.=D



The photo: It is a garden in Tenryu-ji-temple in Kyoto. The pond was named 曹源池(Sogen-ike).



I wrote this blog with my wish someone has interst in philosophy of all ages and cultures.





In addition. (THU)

Some friends said there was time of imaginary number. However, it is not the answer of creation. Whoever made the time, and even if we can go to past or future, we can't elude from present. Because wherever we are, our mind is in present. Just past or future becomes present. And time traveling doesn't mean we can go to the starting point. If there was nothing we can't go, I think. If we can go there, and if there was only The God of creation, we who are the wold before starting point means we are the God. If there is only world of cycle of rebirth, what made this world? This is very thought provoking issue.

Random Thoughts, Appearance Of The World. (and additions)

As I recall, according to Thomas Aquinas, The one which moved at the start of space is the God. This is very interesting concept for me. Because there is no starting point and ending point in Buddha's world(at least, in Kegon buddhism).



Although I don't know much about Christian faith, I think the difference between Christian faith and Buddhism is that whether God of creation is or not.



Once, I tried to study about Aristotle's theology to confirm whether he thought there is any God of creation or not. However, I couldn't found it soon and I've forgot that I have the question. It is said that Aristotle's theology affected Thomas Aquinas's thought.



Once I was interesting in philosophy of Baruch De Spinoza who set up

"deus sive natura". It means "The God is the nature", "神即自然" (Kami-soku-shizen) in Japanese.



According to Spinoza, The God is nature because the God is the alone entity. However, I had a question whether he thought the God he mentioned is the God of creation or not. I couldn't find the answer and I've forgot that I had the question.



I want to learn about it. If someone knows it. Please tell me about it. The God they mentioned are the creator? I'll post this question to YAHOO Answers.



If pantheistic God created this world, that all things are buddha and that all things are the God are very different from each. Taishaku's net can't contain the God of creation. If a jewel was the God of creation, or if the net was the god of creation, we need to assume that there is a something created the net. But any thing can't exist out of the net. Existences in the net must interdepend. A existence can't make the net from inside of the net. If it could, it isn't the net.



This question is not my original. I know, as I recall, 本居宣長(Motoori Norinaga) who was a savant in Edo era made a similar question, rather, as for him, he criticized the thought of Christian faith. For me, I don't criticize Christian faith because I think I do understand about dark side of Buddhism and I just think about philosophy.



According to one my teacher who is a Zen monk, there is not any line expressing time length in Buddha's world(as far as I know, at least, Zen and Kegon buddhist world), and we can express time length with sphere. Then I realized there is no starting point and ending point in Buddhist world. I think if you write a starting point on the sphere, you will find there is no edge. In our common sense, there is two edges. One is starting point, the other is ending point. Our commonsense is not available on the sphere.



Therefore, if Aristotle and Spinoza thought the God is the God of creation, the world's appearance about "time" become very different from Buddhist world. Christian's is like measuring rule and Buddhist's world is a sphere.



Then how buddhists think about the creation? If someone ask Buddha about this question, Buddha could answer by silence. The silence is the answer. As I recall, a teacher explain about it that Buddha meant there isn't much point in thinking about metaphysical speculation. We call this answer 無記答(Mukitou). That is, it means no answer is the answer.



鈴木大拙(Daisetsu Suzuki) explained about this issue "松尾芭蕉(Matsuo Bashou) 's poem expresses the answer. "



古池や蛙飛び込む水の音

ふるいけや　かわずとびこむ　みずのおと

Furuike-ya Kawazu Tobikomu Mizu-no-oto



It means: A sound, a flog jump into an old pond.



According to Daisetsu Suzuki, perfectly horizontal surface of the old pond is the world which didn't begin. Then a wave arose. The moment is the start point of this world.



Once, I asked a teacher of Japanese classic literature whether Daisetsu's theory is right or wrong? Smiling, He said "I have no idea.". Anyway, I think this Daisetsu's explanation is artful.



My teacher said that according to 李通玄(Ri-tsugen) who was a chinese savant studied Kegon buddhism, past and future and present are present, present consists of past and present and future, past and future are mirage, like this, past and future are in our world, we always are in present, "get be strong on present.". I think this view is linked to Sado's 一期一会(Ichigo-Ichie).



As for The creation? Ultimately, I have no idea.=D



The photo: It is a garden in Tenryu-ji-temple in Kyoto. The pond was named 曹源池(Sogen-ike).



I wrote this blog with my wish someone has interst in philosophy of all ages and cultures.





In addition. (THU)

Some friends said there was time of imaginary number. However, it is not the answer of creation. Whoever made the time, and even if we can go to past or future, we can't elude from present. Because wherever we are, our mind is in present. Just past or future becomes present. And time traveling doesn't mean we can go to the starting point. If there was nothing we can't go, I think. If we can go there, and if there was only The God of creation, we who are the wold before starting point means we are the God. If there is only world of cycle of rebirth, what made this world? This is very thought provoking issue.

帝釈網(Taishakumou)

帝釈網(Taishaku-mou) is very important concept of buddhism. It means Taishaku's net. Taishaku is a god in India. IIndra's Indian name is "Sakro Devanam Indrah". (There are long vowels in sanskrit.)



Taishaku-mou is:



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Suppose it is a net. And there is a jewel like diamond at each centers of "+". And please imagine the net is very very large, so we can't count the number of +. The net is as large as the world. Namely, it is infinite. Please imagine the net is the unlimited world.



Suppose you pick up centermost + of the net. What does happened in your image? I think you picked up centermost one and others at the same time. Because it is a net. This is the correlation buddhist monk preach. There is no way you pick up only a +. And please look at any +. There is a jewel, and. Suppose you are the lucent jewel. Please look around. How many "you" are in the net? Jewel reflect images. You are in the all jewels. All jewels in your jewel as same as your jewel in all jewels. There is not yourself what you think always. You are a jewel and all jewels at the same time. We can't separate. This is coidentity (or oneness) buddhist monk preach. Yourself is the people. The people are yourself.



Then, suppose you pick up a jewel and suppose the jewel is your country. What did you pick up? You must be picked up other countries too. Thus, other countries are also your own country. Of corse other countries are other countries but other countries are also your countries. The world is the one. Suppose it is a Iraq issue. You picked up welfare problems and nuclear issues and a situation in the Korean Peninsula and others too. A problem has relation with all problems. Namely a problem is all problems. Other people's problem is your own problem. Your problem is other people's problem.



And I think you found that there is no center because the net is infinitely large. No center, That is, all + are center of this world. All things are center of the world. All + are ego(actor) and All + are nonego at the same time.



And there is no place where absolute God is. Because the net is the world and corelative. If a jewel was god, you are the God. This is the difference between Christian faith and Buddhism.



And I need to mention other things to explain Buddhist thoughts but I will write about them with another analogies.



Now we reached at the bottom of a hill where the path way of philosophy is.



I might explain too much.



The photo: The photo is ,,,,,I forgot. Anyway, Japan!

帝釈網(Taishakumou)

帝釈網(Taishaku-mou) is very important concept of buddhism. It means Taishaku's net. Taishaku is a god in India. IIndra's Indian name is "Sakro Devanam Indrah". (There are long vowels in sanskrit.)



Taishaku-mou is:



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Suppose it is a net. And there is a jewel like diamond at each centers of "+". And please imagine the net is very very large, so we can't count the number of +. The net is as large as the world. Namely, it is infinite. Please imagine the net is the unlimited world.



Suppose you pick up centermost + of the net. What does happened in your image? I think you picked up centermost one and others at the same time. Because it is a net. This is the correlation buddhist monk preach. There is no way you pick up only a +. And please look at any +. There is a jewel, and. Suppose you are the lucent jewel. Please look around. How many "you" are in the net? Jewel reflect images. You are in the all jewels. All jewels in your jewel as same as your jewel in all jewels. There is not yourself what you think always. You are a jewel and all jewels at the same time. We can't separate. This is coidentity (or oneness) buddhist monk preach. Yourself is the people. The people are yourself.



Then, suppose you pick up a jewel and suppose the jewel is your country. What did you pick up? You must be picked up other countries too. Thus, other countries are also your own country. Of corse other countries are other countries but other countries are also your countries. The world is the one. Suppose it is a Iraq issue. You picked up welfare problems and nuclear issues and a situation in the Korean Peninsula and others too. A problem has relation with all problems. Namely a problem is all problems. Other people's problem is your own problem. Your problem is other people's problem.



And I think you found that there is no center because the net is infinitely large. No center, That is, all + are center of this world. All things are center of the world. All + are ego(actor) and All + are nonego at the same time.



And there is no place where absolute God is. Because the net is the world and corelative. If a jewel was god, you are the God. This is the difference between Christian faith and Buddhism.



And I need to mention other things to explain Buddhist thoughts but I will write about them with another analogies.



Now we reached at the bottom of a hill where the path way of philosophy is.



I might explain too much.



The photo: The photo is ,,,,,I forgot. Anyway, Japan!

帝釈網(Taishakumou)

帝釈網(Taishaku-mou) is very important concept of buddhism. It means Taishaku's net. Taishaku is a god in India. IIndra's Indian name is "Sakro Devanam Indrah". (There are long vowels in sanskrit.)



Taishaku-mou is:



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Suppose it is a net. And there is a jewel like diamond at each centers of "+". And please imagine the net is very very large, so we can't count the number of +. The net is as large as the world. Namely, it is infinite. Please imagine the net is the unlimited world.



Suppose you pick up centermost + of the net. What does happened in your image? I think you picked up centermost one and others at the same time. Because it is a net. This is the correlation buddhist monk preach. There is no way you pick up only a +. And please look at any +. There is a jewel, and. Suppose you are the lucent jewel. Please look around. How many "you" are in the net? Jewel reflect images. You are in the all jewels. All jewels in your jewel as same as your jewel in all jewels. There is not yourself what you think always. You are a jewel and all jewels at the same time. We can't separate. This is coidentity (or oneness) buddhist monk preach. Yourself is the people. The people are yourself.



Then, suppose you pick up a jewel and suppose the jewel is your country. What did you pick up? You must be picked up other countries too. Thus, other countries are also your own country. Of corse other countries are other countries but other countries are also your countries. The world is the one. Suppose it is a Iraq issue. You picked up welfare problems and nuclear issues and a situation in the Korean Peninsula and others too. A problem has relation with all problems. Namely a problem is all problems. Other people's problem is your own problem. Your problem is other people's problem.



And I think you found that there is no center because the net is infinitely large. No center, That is, all + are center of this world. All things are center of the world. All + are ego(actor) and All + are nonego at the same time.



And there is no place where absolute God is. Because the net is the world and corelative. If a jewel was god, you are the God. This is the difference between Christian faith and Buddhism.



And I need to mention other things to explain Buddhist thoughts but I will write about them with another analogies.



Now we reached at the bottom of a hill where the path way of philosophy is.



I might explain too much.



The photo: The photo is ,,,,,I forgot. Anyway, Japan!

日本仏教

Not a few friends ask me about 日本仏教(Japanese buddhism). I take the questions as a matter of course. Because Japanese buddhism is different from others. Although there are many interpretations, I briefly explain basics of Japanese buddhism. And I will skip about complex details as always.



Basically, Japanese haven't accepted Indian buddhism. That is, Japanese accepted Chinese buddhism and changed it to Japanese buddhism under a concept "sense of mortality". "Mortality(無常観)" is a philosophical concept in India and China but it is a kind of sentiment in Japan. In the simplest terms, Japanese enjoy to see cherry blossoms blossom out and were falling. It is 無常観(Mujyokan). Brief moment of Blossoming out is beautiful and impermanence of falling flowers is more beautiful.



I cite a Jisei-no-ku (death poem) by Asano Takuminokami Naganori.(浅野内匠頭長矩)



風さそう　花よりもなお　われもまた　春の名残を　いかにとかせん



かぜさそう　はなよりもなお　われもまた　はるのなごりを　いかにとかせん



Kaze sasou Hanayorimonao Waremomata Harunonagoriwo Ikanitokasen



It is said he composed this poem when he committed Harakiri. However, it is not defined whether who composed this poem. I think it is too perfect as a Samurai's poem. Hmm, I'm deeply-moved by this poem.



It means: Falling flowers would not want to leave, I'm frustrated more than flowers, what should I do?



I searched English words to explain this rich expression in English, but I couldn't find them. Oh, now I can't wrote next paragraph because I am deeply moved again. Any way Asano Takuminokami Naganori did seppuku(Harakiri) in 1701. I'll write about this story later.



And I think I should say a important thing. Basically, civilized society don't accept other culture unconditionally. The more a society civilized, the more a society don't accept other culture. The reason we accept or admit other culture is that because we live in one world. The reason China, China-ism China, accepted barbaric religion(Buddhism) is that they were ruled by barbaric different ethnic groups. (barbaric, of corse, it is as a view point of Chinese)



Society's own culture plays as a filter. Chinese buddhism accepted advantageous things of Indian Buddhism and took out inconvenient things. Japanese buddhism accepted advantageous things of Chinese buddhism and took out inconvenient things. Thus I can say there are two filters between India and Japan. One is Chinese civilization the other is Japanese feeling.



To get back to my original point, It is said that Japan accepted Buddhism as a god officially because it needed to control climate. Buddhism has magic. It appealed Japan. Buddha statues were dazzling. The figure was so butiful. Those appealed Japan. Very simple reason.



Japan researched buddhism and built temples in Nara, an ancient capital in Nara period and other period (~794). They studied about Kegon, Ritsu, Hossou, Sanron, Jyoujitu, Kusha. （華厳、律、法相、三論、成実、倶舎) We call them Nanto-riku-shu. It means "six sects in southern capital". Those thoughts are core of buddhism. Nanto-rikushu was not so much religion as a kind of investigative organ.



法相(Hossou) is 唯識(Yuishiki)'s buddhism. Yuishiki preaches every things were from your own mind. For example, suppose a flag is flapping, what is flapping? Your mind is flapping. In fact, Yuishiki is more and yet more complex but I think you don't need to know about the detail here.



華厳(Kegon) is the most accomplished buddhist thought. It was established in China. Although I intend to write about philosophy of Zen, Kegon assume theorization of Zen. It is said Kegon and Zen are brothers. There are many books explain Zen as if philosophy, but basically, I don't agree because the philosophy is ,mainly, Kegon's one. (Authors talk about Zen too much. As egregious example, there are authors explaining Sado and other do as if it is philosophy or it is same as Zen. I'll mention on another blogs about this.)



To get back to my original point again, after that time, Japan accepted Tantric Buddhism in Heian period. Tendai-sect and Shingon-sect. Especially, Tendai-sect had great impact on Japanese buddhism. Kukai established a Shingon-sect and built colleges of Shingon-sect. Saicyo established a Japan-Tendai sect and the centre, Enryaku-ji-temple was a kind of university of buddhism.



Tendai-sect established 本覚思想 (Hongaku-shisou). They thought that all creatures are already Buddha, that is, people, animals, leaves, grasses, mountains are also buddha. Although this concept cause a corruption, it had great impact on Japan. And there were practitioners of Shugen-do in Tendai-buddhism. It is said, as a hypothesis, Shinto was affected by Tendai-Shugen-do. I suppose This Tendai's thought led naturally to Japanese spirituality because it was established by Japanese. (Any way, it seems it is sure that Buddhism affected Shinto.)



I think, in the simplest terms, Japanese buddhist philosophy is a logical system theorizing Japanese thought and minds.



鎌倉新仏教(Kamakura-shin-bukkyou) consists of 浄土宗(Jyodo-shu)、浄土真宗(Jyodo-shin-shu)、時宗(Ji-shu)、曹洞宗(Soto-shu)、臨済宗(Rinzai-shu)、日蓮宗(Nichiren-shu). All founders of them were Tendai's monk. A Enryakuji's character as university enabled them to learn other concepts of buddhism and they parted ways from Tendai.



Jyodo-shu, Jyodo-shin-shu and ji-shu are Pure Land Buddhism. Soto-shu and Rinzai-shu are Zen Buddhism. Nichiren-shu is a buddhism of 法華経(Hokkekyo).



As for Pure land buddhism, there was in China. It didn't be a religious sect in China and it became a religious sect in Japan.



As for Soto-shu(Zen), the founder, 道元(Dogen), was a Japanese. And it is difficult to define the founder of Rinzai-shu(Zen). Its germination was 栄西(Yosai), a Tendai Tantric Buddhist monk, and who established basis of RInzai-zen was 蘭渓道隆(Rankei-doryu), who was a Chinese. Because of religious oppression by 元(Yuan in Chinese, Gen in Japanese), many high priests flew the country to Japan. And they contributed Japanese buddhist world. I think Soto-Zen is more Japanese, RInzai-Zen is more Chinese.



As for Nichiren-shu, the founder is 日蓮(NIchiren). He predicted huge disaster because Japanese don't worship 法華経(Hokkekyo), and as it happens, 元寇(Mongol invasion attempts against Japan) was happened. It seems the incidents gave him society's confidence.



Well, it is time to go out. I wrote this blog searching my memory. I suppose I wrote about basic of Japanese buddhism. Important things are that Japanese Buddhism is defferent from others and the basic concept is 無常(Mujyo), Japanese accepted buddhism by Japanese own feeling. And even if I write more detail, I think those are too difficult for non-Japanese or beginners. Thus, I'll reply if you have a question and I will check this blog later. Have a nice day.



The photo: Hasu(lotus) In India it blooms out in muddy pond. As I recall, Mud is the world. Hasu is enlightenment.



Wow, I've forgotten to mention about 時宗(Ji-shu). Jishu is one of pure land buddhisms. SInging sutra, they dance. The founder is 一遍(Ippen), who was also a Tendai's monk.

日本仏教

Not a few friends ask me about 日本仏教(Japanese buddhism). I take the questions as a matter of course. Because Japanese buddhism is different from others. Although there are many interpretations, I briefly explain basics of Japanese buddhism. And I will skip about complex details as always.



Basically, Japanese haven't accepted Indian buddhism. That is, Japanese accepted Chinese buddhism and changed it to Japanese buddhism under a concept "sense of mortality". "Mortality(無常観)" is a philosophical concept in India and China but it is a kind of sentiment in Japan. In the simplest terms, Japanese enjoy to see cherry blossoms blossom out and were falling. It is 無常観(Mujyokan). Brief moment of Blossoming out is beautiful and impermanence of falling flowers is more beautiful.



I cite a Jisei-no-ku (death poem) by Asano Takuminokami Naganori.(浅野内匠頭長矩)



風さそう　花よりもなお　われもまた　春の名残を　いかにとかせん



かぜさそう　はなよりもなお　われもまた　はるのなごりを　いかにとかせん



Kaze sasou Hanayorimonao Waremomata Harunonagoriwo Ikanitokasen



It is said he composed this poem when he committed Harakiri. However, it is not defined whether who composed this poem. I think it is too perfect as a Samurai's poem. Hmm, I'm deeply-moved by this poem.



It means: Falling flowers would not want to leave, I'm frustrated more than flowers, what should I do?



I searched English words to explain this rich expression in English, but I couldn't find them. Oh, now I can't wrote next paragraph because I am deeply moved again. Any way Asano Takuminokami Naganori did seppuku(Harakiri) in 1701. I'll write about this story later.



And I think I should say a important thing. Basically, civilized society don't accept other culture unconditionally. The more a society civilized, the more a society don't accept other culture. The reason we accept or admit other culture is that because we live in one world. The reason China, China-ism China, accepted barbaric religion(Buddhism) is that they were ruled by barbaric different ethnic groups. (barbaric, of corse, it is as a view point of Chinese)



Society's own culture plays as a filter. Chinese buddhism accepted advantageous things of Indian Buddhism and took out inconvenient things. Japanese buddhism accepted advantageous things of Chinese buddhism and took out inconvenient things. Thus I can say there are two filters between India and Japan. One is Chinese civilization the other is Japanese feeling.



To get back to my original point, It is said that Japan accepted Buddhism as a god officially because it needed to control climate. Buddhism has magic. It appealed Japan. Buddha statues were dazzling. The figure was so butiful. Those appealed Japan. Very simple reason.



Japan researched buddhism and built temples in Nara, an ancient capital in Nara period and other period (~794). They studied about Kegon, Ritsu, Hossou, Sanron, Jyoujitu, Kusha. （華厳、律、法相、三論、成実、倶舎) We call them Nanto-riku-shu. It means "six sects in southern capital". Those thoughts are core of buddhism. Nanto-rikushu was not so much religion as a kind of investigative organ.



法相(Hossou) is 唯識(Yuishiki)'s buddhism. Yuishiki preaches every things were from your own mind. For example, suppose a flag is flapping, what is flapping? Your mind is flapping. In fact, Yuishiki is more and yet more complex but I think you don't need to know about the detail here.



華厳(Kegon) is the most accomplished buddhist thought. It was established in China. Although I intend to write about philosophy of Zen, Kegon assume theorization of Zen. It is said Kegon and Zen are brothers. There are many books explain Zen as if philosophy, but basically, I don't agree because the philosophy is ,mainly, Kegon's one. (Authors talk about Zen too much. As egregious example, there are authors explaining Sado and other do as if it is philosophy or it is same as Zen. I'll mention on another blogs about this.)



To get back to my original point again, after that time, Japan accepted Tantric Buddhism in Heian period. Tendai-sect and Shingon-sect. Especially, Tendai-sect had great impact on Japanese buddhism. Kukai established a Shingon-sect and built colleges of Shingon-sect. Saicyo established a Japan-Tendai sect and the centre, Enryaku-ji-temple was a kind of university of buddhism.



Tendai-sect established 本覚思想 (Hongaku-shisou). They thought that all creatures are already Buddha, that is, people, animals, leaves, grasses, mountains are also buddha. Although this concept cause a corruption, it had great impact on Japan. And there were practitioners of Shugen-do in Tendai-buddhism. It is said, as a hypothesis, Shinto was affected by Tendai-Shugen-do. I suppose This Tendai's thought led naturally to Japanese spirituality because it was established by Japanese. (Any way, it seems it is sure that Buddhism affected Shinto.)



I think, in the simplest terms, Japanese buddhist philosophy is a logical system theorizing Japanese thought and minds.



鎌倉新仏教(Kamakura-shin-bukkyou) consists of 浄土宗(Jyodo-shu)、浄土真宗(Jyodo-shin-shu)、時宗(Ji-shu)、曹洞宗(Soto-shu)、臨済宗(Rinzai-shu)、日蓮宗(Nichiren-shu). All founders of them were Tendai's monk. A Enryakuji's character as university enabled them to learn other concepts of buddhism and they parted ways from Tendai.



Jyodo-shu, Jyodo-shin-shu and ji-shu are Pure Land Buddhism. Soto-shu and Rinzai-shu are Zen Buddhism. Nichiren-shu is a buddhism of 法華経(Hokkekyo).



As for Pure land buddhism, there was in China. It didn't be a religious sect in China and it became a religious sect in Japan.



As for Soto-shu(Zen), the founder, 道元(Dogen), was a Japanese. And it is difficult to define the founder of Rinzai-shu(Zen). Its germination was 栄西(Yosai), a Tendai Tantric Buddhist monk, and who established basis of RInzai-zen was 蘭渓道隆(Rankei-doryu), who was a Chinese. Because of religious oppression by 元(Yuan in Chinese, Gen in Japanese), many high priests flew the country to Japan. And they contributed Japanese buddhist world. I think Soto-Zen is more Japanese, RInzai-Zen is more Chinese.



As for Nichiren-shu, the founder is 日蓮(NIchiren). He predicted huge disaster because Japanese don't worship 法華経(Hokkekyo), and as it happens, 元寇(Mongol invasion attempts against Japan) was happened. It seems the incidents gave him society's confidence.



Well, it is time to go out. I wrote this blog searching my memory. I suppose I wrote about basic of Japanese buddhism. Important things are that Japanese Buddhism is defferent from others and the basic concept is 無常(Mujyo), Japanese accepted buddhism by Japanese own feeling. And even if I write more detail, I think those are too difficult for non-Japanese or beginners. Thus, I'll reply if you have a question and I will check this blog later. Have a nice day.



The photo: Hasu(lotus) In India it blooms out in muddy pond. As I recall, Mud is the world. Hasu is enlightenment.



Wow, I've forgotten to mention about 時宗(Ji-shu). Jishu is one of pure land buddhisms. SInging sutra, they dance. The founder is 一遍(Ippen), who was also a Tendai's monk.

日本仏教

Not a few friends ask me about 日本仏教(Japanese buddhism). I take the questions as a matter of course. Because Japanese buddhism is different from others. Although there are many interpretations, I briefly explain basics of Japanese buddhism. And I will skip about complex details as always.



Basically, Japanese haven't accepted Indian buddhism. That is, Japanese accepted Chinese buddhism and changed it to Japanese buddhism under a concept "sense of mortality". "Mortality(無常観)" is a philosophical concept in India and China but it is a kind of sentiment in Japan. In the simplest terms, Japanese enjoy to see cherry blossoms blossom out and were falling. It is 無常観(Mujyokan). Brief moment of Blossoming out is beautiful and impermanence of falling flowers is more beautiful.



I cite a Jisei-no-ku (death poem) by Asano Takuminokami Naganori.(浅野内匠頭長矩)



風さそう　花よりもなお　われもまた　春の名残を　いかにとかせん



かぜさそう　はなよりもなお　われもまた　はるのなごりを　いかにとかせん



Kaze sasou Hanayorimonao Waremomata Harunonagoriwo Ikanitokasen



It is said he composed this poem when he committed Harakiri. However, it is not defined whether who composed this poem. I think it is too perfect as a Samurai's poem. Hmm, I'm deeply-moved by this poem.



It means: Falling flowers would not want to leave, I'm frustrated more than flowers, what should I do?



I searched English words to explain this rich expression in English, but I couldn't find them. Oh, now I can't wrote next paragraph because I am deeply moved again. Any way Asano Takuminokami Naganori did seppuku(Harakiri) in 1701. I'll write about this story later.



And I think I should say a important thing. Basically, civilized society don't accept other culture unconditionally. The more a society civilized, the more a society don't accept other culture. The reason we accept or admit other culture is that because we live in one world. The reason China, China-ism China, accepted barbaric religion(Buddhism) is that they were ruled by barbaric different ethnic groups. (barbaric, of corse, it is as a view point of Chinese)



Society's own culture plays as a filter. Chinese buddhism accepted advantageous things of Indian Buddhism and took out inconvenient things. Japanese buddhism accepted advantageous things of Chinese buddhism and took out inconvenient things. Thus I can say there are two filters between India and Japan. One is Chinese civilization the other is Japanese feeling.



To get back to my original point, It is said that Japan accepted Buddhism as a god officially because it needed to control climate. Buddhism has magic. It appealed Japan. Buddha statues were dazzling. The figure was so butiful. Those appealed Japan. Very simple reason.



Japan researched buddhism and built temples in Nara, an ancient capital in Nara period and other period (~794). They studied about Kegon, Ritsu, Hossou, Sanron, Jyoujitu, Kusha. （華厳、律、法相、三論、成実、倶舎) We call them Nanto-riku-shu. It means "six sects in southern capital". Those thoughts are core of buddhism. Nanto-rikushu was not so much religion as a kind of investigative organ.



法相(Hossou) is 唯識(Yuishiki)'s buddhism. Yuishiki preaches every things were from your own mind. For example, suppose a flag is flapping, what is flapping? Your mind is flapping. In fact, Yuishiki is more and yet more complex but I think you don't need to know about the detail here.



華厳(Kegon) is the most accomplished buddhist thought. It was established in China. Although I intend to write about philosophy of Zen, Kegon assume theorization of Zen. It is said Kegon and Zen are brothers. There are many books explain Zen as if philosophy, but basically, I don't agree because the philosophy is ,mainly, Kegon's one. (Authors talk about Zen too much. As egregious example, there are authors explaining Sado and other do as if it is philosophy or it is same as Zen. I'll mention on another blogs about this.)



To get back to my original point again, after that time, Japan accepted Tantric Buddhism in Heian period. Tendai-sect and Shingon-sect. Especially, Tendai-sect had great impact on Japanese buddhism. Kukai established a Shingon-sect and built colleges of Shingon-sect. Saicyo established a Japan-Tendai sect and the centre, Enryaku-ji-temple was a kind of university of buddhism.



Tendai-sect established 本覚思想 (Hongaku-shisou). They thought that all creatures are already Buddha, that is, people, animals, leaves, grasses, mountains are also buddha. Although this concept cause a corruption, it had great impact on Japan. And there were practitioners of Shugen-do in Tendai-buddhism. It is said, as a hypothesis, Shinto was affected by Tendai-Shugen-do. I suppose This Tendai's thought led naturally to Japanese spirituality because it was established by Japanese. (Any way, it seems it is sure that Buddhism affected Shinto.)



I think, in the simplest terms, Japanese buddhist philosophy is a logical system theorizing Japanese thought and minds.



鎌倉新仏教(Kamakura-shin-bukkyou) consists of 浄土宗(Jyodo-shu)、浄土真宗(Jyodo-shin-shu)、時宗(Ji-shu)、曹洞宗(Soto-shu)、臨済宗(Rinzai-shu)、日蓮宗(Nichiren-shu). All founders of them were Tendai's monk. A Enryakuji's character as university enabled them to learn other concepts of buddhism and they parted ways from Tendai.



Jyodo-shu, Jyodo-shin-shu and ji-shu are Pure Land Buddhism. Soto-shu and Rinzai-shu are Zen Buddhism. Nichiren-shu is a buddhism of 法華経(Hokkekyo).



As for Pure land buddhism, there was in China. It didn't be a religious sect in China and it became a religious sect in Japan.



As for Soto-shu(Zen), the founder, 道元(Dogen), was a Japanese. And it is difficult to define the founder of Rinzai-shu(Zen). Its germination was 栄西(Yosai), a Tendai Tantric Buddhist monk, and who established basis of RInzai-zen was 蘭渓道隆(Rankei-doryu), who was a Chinese. Because of religious oppression by 元(Yuan in Chinese, Gen in Japanese), many high priests flew the country to Japan. And they contributed Japanese buddhist world. I think Soto-Zen is more Japanese, RInzai-Zen is more Chinese.



As for Nichiren-shu, the founder is 日蓮(NIchiren). He predicted huge disaster because Japanese don't worship 法華経(Hokkekyo), and as it happens, 元寇(Mongol invasion attempts against Japan) was happened. It seems the incidents gave him society's confidence.



Well, it is time to go out. I wrote this blog searching my memory. I suppose I wrote about basic of Japanese buddhism. Important things are that Japanese Buddhism is defferent from others and the basic concept is 無常(Mujyo), Japanese accepted buddhism by Japanese own feeling. And even if I write more detail, I think those are too difficult for non-Japanese or beginners. Thus, I'll reply if you have a question and I will check this blog later. Have a nice day.



The photo: Hasu(lotus) In India it blooms out in muddy pond. As I recall, Mud is the world. Hasu is enlightenment.



Wow, I've forgotten to mention about 時宗(Ji-shu). Jishu is one of pure land buddhisms. SInging sutra, they dance. The founder is 一遍(Ippen), who was also a Tendai's monk.