In feudal Japan, three major religions influenced the era, Buddhism, Shinto, and Shugendo. Religion was the main sculpting tool of feudal Japan. Listed below are the ten commandments of Buddhism.
·Do not destroy life.
·Do not take that which is not given to you.
·Do not commit adultery.
·Do not tell lies and deceive no one.
·Do not become intoxicated.
·Eat temperately and not at all in the afternoon.
·Do not watch dancing, listen to singing or watch plays
·Wear no adornments or perfume.
·Sleep not in luxurious beds.
·Accept no gold or silver.
These rules were created to manage the public and influence the daily actions of Japanese civilians. With these set, the public would believe that the only way to be enlightened was to be happy where you were and to be happy with what you had. What this truly accomplished was a reliable way for the Japanese hierarchy to prevent the public from revolting or questioning the rulers.
The second major religion was Shinto, whose deities are listed below.
·Do not destroy life.
·Do not take that which is not given to you.
·Do not commit adultery.
·Do not tell lies and deceive no one.
·Do not become intoxicated.
·Eat temperately and not at all in the afternoon.
·Do not watch dancing, listen to singing or watch plays
·Wear no adornments or perfume.
·Sleep not in luxurious beds.
·Accept no gold or silver.
These rules were created to manage the public and influence the daily actions of Japanese civilians. With these set, the public would believe that the only way to be enlightened was to be happy where you were and to be happy with what you had. What this truly accomplished was a reliable way for the Japanese hierarchy to prevent the public from revolting or questioning the rulers.
The second major religion was Shinto, whose deities are listed below.
Izanagi and Izanami, progenitors of everything
Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun goddess Susano, the Storm god also associated with forests Fudo, fighter of demons Uke-mochi, the Food Deity Fujin, the Wind god |
Fire Fade and Fire Flash, associated with tides
Sea King, associated with the ocean/sea Raiden, the Thunder god Suku-na-biko, the Dwarf god Uzume, the Mirth Goddess |
There are of course several other gods and goddesses, or kami 神.
Shugendo is the final major faith. Shugendo can be considered the fine line between Buddhism and Shinto, the goal of those who practiced Shugendo was to achieve oneness with the kami. Shugendo mainly focused on the understanding of the connection between humanity and nature.
Shugendo is the final major faith. Shugendo can be considered the fine line between Buddhism and Shinto, the goal of those who practiced Shugendo was to achieve oneness with the kami. Shugendo mainly focused on the understanding of the connection between humanity and nature.