Cross College

Tag: japan

  • Traditional Japanese Deities: The Divine Spirits of Shinto and Folklore

    Japan’s spiritual landscape is rich and diverse, shaped by centuries of religious and cultural traditions. At the heart of Japan’s belief system is Shinto, the indigenous religion that venerates a vast pantheon of kami (divine spirits or deities). These deities are associated with natural forces, ancestral spirits, and legendary figures who have influenced Japanese mythology…

  • Exploring the Different Forms of Buddhism: A Global Tradition with Diverse Paths

    Buddhism, a spiritual tradition founded over 2,500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), has evolved into one of the world’s most influential religions. Today, it is practiced in a variety of forms, each with unique teachings, rituals, and philosophies. While rooted in the core teachings of the Buddha, Buddhism has adapted to different cultural…

  • The Union of Zen Buddhism and Bushido: Myth and Reality

    Zen Buddhism and Bushido are often seen as two deeply intertwined traditions that shaped the philosophy and ethics of Japan’s samurai class. This romanticized image, however, does not fully reflect historical reality. While Zen did influence some samurai, only a small percentage of them actively practiced Zen Buddhism. Nonetheless, the principles of Zen resonated strongly…

  • Who Was Dōgen Zenji? The Founder of Japanese Sōtō Zen Buddhism

    Dōgen Zenji (1200–1253) is one of the most influential figures in the history of Zen Buddhism, known as the founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. His teachings emphasize the practice of Zazen (seated meditation) as the direct path to enlightenment, focusing on the idea that enlightenment is not a distant goal but…