Japan

Why Ikigai Can Be the Secret to a Better Life

In Japan, Okinawa is known as “The Land of the Immortals” due to its high volume of people who live to be over 100 years old. Most of Okinawa’s population functions independently into their late 90s.

A reason for this feat could be the prefecture’s adherence to ikigai – or a Japanese philosophy that roughly translates to “life’s purpose.” Ikigai (pronounced EE-key-guy) originated in Okinawa, and the centuries-old practice is still widely used there today. Our Ikigai is what gets us out of bed in the morning, or our purpose and motivation for living a full life. [Read more…] about Why Ikigai Can Be the Secret to a Better Life

What Samurai Philosophy Can Teach You About Modern Life Part 2

This is the second part of our Samurai philosophy series. See Part One: What Samurai Philosophy Can Teach You About Modern Life 1

The Samurai philosophy is composed of universal lessons and timeless truths to live by. It’s not surprising to see that they are as relevant now as they were then. But the abstruse and lengthy prose of medieval Japanese philosophers presents a challenge. Bushido or the Samurai code of moral principles, according to educator and diplomat Nitobe, consists of eight virtues. Here are four of them, explained in simple and concise concepts.

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If we could all learn from them, and use them as a way of life, there would be much less discord and hostility among communities and countries.

4 Virtues of the Samurai philosophy

1. Rectitude and Justice

[bctt tweet=”Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right. – anonymous Japanese Samurai” username=”thedailyminder”]

Rectitude to the Samurai is better known to us as moral integrity. It is adherence to the moral values we believe in, the foundation of which is love. Therefore, our love for others govern our fundamental behavior, even during times when that behavior goes against what is currently popular.

With rectitude, we don’t use words and deeds that demean and humiliate others. We don’t engage in underhanded dealings and crooked business practices to enrich ourselves. We avoid falsehoods, refrain from unfair criticisms, dishonesty, and other hurting actions. We are kind even to those who have hurt us, while at the same time we seek justice.

2. Benevolence and Compassion

[bctt tweet=”Rectitude carried to excess hardens into stiffness; benevolence indulged beyond measure sinks into weakness. – Date Masamune” username=”thedailyminder”]

The Samurai philosophy of benevolence, manifested as altruistic acts of kindness to those in distress, is likened to compassion in the modern-day world. Compassion is an awareness of the sufferings of another, and a deep desire to relieve that person of his suffering. More than the desire to help, compassion should go hand in hand with action.

But our kind acts to the destitute and to those who are hurting should be done mindfully. Benevolence should not be bestowed recklessly, lest we are abused by greedy and unprincipled individuals or groups

3. Politeness

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In the Western world, politeness does not rank as high a quality as empathy, gratitude, generosity, etc. But in Samurai philosophy, being polite is a noble virtue. It is our outward expression of our respect for the dignity of other people. Politeness is not about social etiquette, like knowing which fork to use at a guest’s dinner table. It’s about gentle behavior, about being able to maintain composure in the face of rudeness, even if the rude behavior deserves to be called out.

Politeness is not obsequiousness or sycophancy. It’s being able to exchange differing points of view with civility, without insulting or demeaning the other person. Moreover, the constant application of polite behavior in our daily lives leads to the development of a strong moral person. A calm mind, a placid temper, and a quiet demeanor lay the groundwork for ethical actions, thoughts and feelings.

4. Courage

[bctt tweet=”If you fear death, you will die. – an old Samurai saying.” username=”thedailyminder”]

In Bushido, courage was essential for its Samurai warriors, In contemporary setting, it’s being afraid yet doing what we believe is right. Sometimes, what is right may also be unpopular. Physical courage when faced with a threat is bravery. Moral courage is integrity and righteousness – sticking to our values and beliefs regardless of social disapproval. It’s the perseverance to continue when we must contend with challenging circumstances.

Courage is seen in the women who spoke out against sexual harassment in a field where male power dominates, and suffered loss of jobs and image. It’s talking to your boss or quitting your job when the company’s strategies conflict with your own values. Everyday life presents a myriad of situations where your courage, or lack of it, will be put to the test.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Religious Symbols of Japan

Japan is a universally reverent country, with a deep religious history and a long tradition of respect for gods and men alike. You’ll find a rich tapestry of religious traditions including Shintoism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism alongside smaller folk religious traditions. This rich tapestry of spirituality is expressed through a broad vocabulary of religious symbols found on every island in the nation.

Shinto Symbols

This ancient religion believes in spirits of good and evil which permeate all things, with a rich gallery of good and bad spirits that permeate the life of the religion’s followers. There are a few key Japanese religious symbols which appear in religious documents and Japanese culture.

The maneki-neko, or literally “beckoning cat,” is the always-waving cat you’ll often see in Chinatowns throughout the West. This symbol of Shintoism holds a barrel-shaped object under its paw, which it waves up and down, beckoning the viewer near. The maneki-neko is believed to attract good luck, and its lineage is one of the reasons cats enjoy such a positive relationship with Japanese culture.

The torii gate is a well-recognized symbol of Japan throughout the West. This unique architectural structure is believed to mark the boundary between the finite world of human cares and infinite realm of the spirit world. Shinto shrines can be easily identified by the torii gates at their entrance, but these gates also sometimes mark Japanese Buddhist temples.

Omamori are religious amulets sold at Shinto shrines which are believed to provide the bearer with luck and divine protection. While omamori were once made of wood or paper, modern amulets are usually small items carried inside a brocade bag which might contain a prayer or invocation. Travelers often give them as gifts. Their sale supports the Shinto temples they’re sold at.

Taoist Symbols

Taoism, also known as Daoism, is a religious philosophy based on living in harmony with the desires and patterns of the natural world. Followers strive to adhere to the Tao (or “way” in English) which is understood to be the source and pattern of everything that exists. Taoism does share its philosophical underpinnings with Confucianism. However, it does not share Confucianism’s emphasis a rigid social order and strict religious rituals.

Most notable among Taoist symbols is the yin-yang, which might be the best known religious symbol in the world. The yin-yang represents how apparently contradictory forces like chaos and order, day and night or life and death are truly part of an indivisible whole. This principle underlies many Asian philosophies, medicine and martial arts practices.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is a book of divination used in the practice of Taoism. Practitioners seek moral guidance by concentrating on a question, then throwing vegetable stalks or coins and consulting a list of hexagrams to interpret the result of these apparently random throws. The meaning associated with these hexagrams, or kua, is found in the I Ching and can be interpreted as an answer to the practitioner’s question. The circular I Ching coins themselves are a powerful symbol of the religion. They feature a peculiar square hole in the center of each coin.

Buddhist Symbols

*By Shazz, Esteban.barahona (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons*

Japan is also home to its own unique strain of Buddhism, known as Japanese Buddhism. It shares much of its history and symbology with other varieties of Buddhism. As a result, practitioners of one will be familiar with the other. Like the other religions we covered, Buddhism is replete with symbology, so we can only discuss a few here.

The Wheel of Dharma (Dharmachakra) represents the cyclical nature of death and rebirth (samsara) found in Buddhism. The Wheel is one of the most important symbols in the religion’s lexicon. The eight spokes on the wheel symbolize the Nobel Eightfold Path that the Buddha elucidated in his teachings, as well as Buddha turning the Wheel of Truth and Law. Further symbolism can be drawn from the structure of the wheel. The hub symbolizes moral discipline, the spokes represent wisdom and the rim represents training in concentration. Each of the three must be present to make a functioning wheel.

Buddhism also refers to the Eight Auspicious Symbols frequently. They include the following:

Parasol (chattra) – spiritual power
Golden Fishes (suvarnamatsya) – blessings, good fortune and salvation
Treasure Vase (kalasha) – fecundity, both moral and spiritual
Lotus (padma) – mental purity
Conch Shell (sankha) – Buddha’s teaching’s fame and renown
Endless Knot (shrivasta) -Buddha’s infinite wisdom
Victory Banner (dhvaja) – the victory of the Buddha’s teaching over ignorance
Wheel of Dharma (Dharmachakra) – see above

They come from Indian symbology, and are especially popular in Tibetan Buddhism.

Conclusion

The religions of Japan are rich in symbolism. As a result, it’s hopeless to attempt to cover them all in one short article. But hopefully this will provide an intriguing, if brief, introduction into one of the world richest spiritual regions.

What Samurai Philosophy Can Teach You About Modern Life Part 1

“There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking.” – from the Hagakure, a famous Samurai manual.

I love Samurai. Ever since I was little I have been fascinated with their way of life and how they mixed the Zen Buddhist teachings with the ice-cold warrior mentality. Let’s face it – Samurai are extremely cool! In this series I want to introduce you to a few of the core Samurai principles and how you can apply them to your modern way of life.

Discipline is essential in all situations

[bctt tweet=”If you walk, just walk. If you sit, just sit. But whatever you do, don’t wobble. – Master Ummon” username=”thedailyminder”]

A Samurai will always act with poise and discipline. It would be a rare event to see a Samurai lose his cool and lash out with emotion and passion. Regardless of whether he was under enemy attack, training with his partner or spending time with his master the warrior would always be disciplined.

Nothing has changed since the time of the Samurai – discipline is still essential. Whether you are looking to climb the corporate ladder, improve your family life or develop more wisdom it is essential that you have discipline. When you lose that you lose your focus.

Always carry a backup weapon

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The Samurai’s main weapon was the Katana (long sword). This weapon was so important to the Samurai that they would often give it a name and talk to it like a living creature. The Katana was known as the soul of the Samurai. However, when the had to check their Katana at the door they carried their smaller Wakizashi by their side. This smaller blade never left the Samurai’s grip, not even when he slept. Sometimes when the warrior lost his primary weapon in a fight he would call upon his Wakizashi to finish the job. As such he was never without a weapon.

This is an extremely important lesson for modern life. I am not saying that everyone should carry around two whopping great big swords in their daily activities. That would be madness! What I am saying is that it is important to have a backup plan for that rainy day that is sure to happen. Diversifying your investments is a good idea in case your main revenue stream dries up. Make sure you are never left without a weapon.

Honor is of utmost importance

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For a Samurai there is nothing more important than honor. They lived their lives in a very honorable way. Many scholars will argue, however, that the Samurai’s honor was somewhat perverted and often mistaken for an inflated sense of ego. For the most part though these warriors were a very honorable bunch.

This is very important in today’s modern world. So many people are trying to lie, steal and cheat. A Samurai would never do this for fear of losing their honor and shaming their family and master. I think this is an important personality trait that we need to see more of in business, commerce and 21st century life. We need more people who see honor and ethics as being more important than money and status.

Study and training are a lifetime commitment

[bctt tweet=”Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men. – Miyamoto Musashi” username=”thedailyminder”]

The Samurai were always studying, practicing and training. He would never let a day pass without spending several hours practicing his martial arts, studying the Sutras of Zen Buddhism and doing a zazen meditation. The Samurai understood that in order to be perfect (and they were perfectionists!) one needed to devote constant attention to studying and training in one’s art without ever giving up or losing enthusiasm.

This devotion to study and practice is something that is lacking in many people’s lives. We really want to achieve certain goals but we really don’t want to put in the study and effort that is going to get us there. Furthermore, once we attain certain goals (like a good job) we stop studying and just meander in our comfortable equanimity. The Samurai way is to keep studying and keep practicing and keep getting better. I would like to be like that.

Catch Part Two in our Samurai Lessons series.

photo thanks to: samurai gallery