Onmyouji writes:
Hello all. I thought you might find this interesting, so, like others who have posted articles here, I have posted one on Onmyōdō. Please enjoy it.
- Yoshiaki Abe
Onmyodo
-The Architect of Japanâ??s Formative Years-
Introduction
Religion in Japanâ??what word does this evoke in the mind of the East Asian Studies scholar? The answer to this question will usually be Shinto and Buddhism, the light and darkness of Japanese religion. These two religions have had an effect on Japanese history since the times recorded in the Kojiki, one of the earliest written historical account of Japan. Many times Buddhism and Shinto are said to compensate for what the other religion lacks. Shinto is the religion of birth and purity, and concerns itself with the life in this world, whereas Buddhism is the religion of death and reincarnation, and concerns itself with the life to come.
This harmonious symbiosis of religions in Japan signifies the attitude of the Japanese people-- the attitude of bringing the two opposites into a beneficent, mutual union. This state of complementary dualism between Shinto and Buddhism, however, â??should not be taken to indicate mutually exclusive beliefs and practices forming smaller or larger isolated religious traditionsâ?¦ One can find Shinto elements in a Buddhist service or Confucian studies taking place in a Buddhist monastery.â?Â
