Review of Shinto - The Way Home by Thomas P Kasulis
September 20th 2006 02:35
Spoke to a prof from University of Hawaii. Requested an introductory list on Eastern philosophy. Was pointed to this very clearly-written book for Shinto.
Found the book unexpectedly interesting -- in particular its first chapter, on Shinto spirituality: fertile food-for-thought for philosophy of religion (eg, definitions of "religion" and "spirituality", and nature of religious experience), as well as novel take on mental dualism.
The remainder of the book: essentially a survey of the history of Shinto -- less interesting philosophically, but still engaging as a case study of religious development. I do feel, on having read the book, that I've travelled miles in my understanding of Japan.
The middle section covers some 1400 years of Shinto development, along with forays into Japanese history generally. It's fascinating, but biased towards the existentialist yay, essentialist boo position. And there are worries here. On the one hand, maybe you're won't find a summary this short, and this comprehensive, without this level of vagueness; on the other hand, the glossing-over, and neatness of explanation, might raise the suspicion of skewed narrative. I just don't know enough Japanese history to fairly judge.
***
Here's my own glossed-over summary of some key points:
Chapter 1: When people disconnect from capacity for awe, they feel homeless. Shinto spirituality is about learning to feel "at home" with spiritually encountering mystery -- and not trying to explain away such experiences. Awe can come upon you suddenly, or can be found in the everyday; can be caused by nature (a glorious sunset), or by the manufactured (the original Magna Carta); and can be associated with joy or fear. Such presences are "kami". Kami is interdependent with the material, not separate from it. Shinto marks places (with torii, shimenawa, rope bridges, etc) that are specially able to give rise to feelings of being part of and "holographically" reflecting the whole. But one requires a "mindful heart": Shinto practices nurture sensitivity and responsiveness. Kasulis also discusses whether Shinto counts as a "religion" or is a cluster of folk beliefs.
Torii mark places especially capable of giving rise to feelings of kami
Chapter 2: Shinto themes (including naturalness, simplicity, purity and taboo, purification, and separateness and communal solidarity) are part of the warp and woof of everyday Japanese life.
Chapter 3: Time immemorial up to eighth century. Native religion was in part animist, but "kami" was also associated with forces of nature. Shinto myths lack a cosmic struggle between good and evil. Kasulis contrasts two key eighth-century collections of folk traditions ("Nihonshoki" and "Kojiki") and touches on connections of the former with justifications for empire.
Self-portrait of Motoori Norinaga
Chapter 5: 1801-2002. Hirata Atsutane rendered Shinto suitable for expansionism, by, inter alia, emphasizing the emperor as holographic entry point and introducing afterlife reward. Starting with Hirata Shinto, the government supported an essentialist ideology of "State Shinto", which involved, for instance, distancing Shinto from Buddhism, and a
Main building at Yasukuni shrine
Chapter 6: It's difficult to separate "existentialist" and "essentialist" in Japan. Also, the existential/essential distinction can be applied to many, if not most, religions, and there's frequently a power struggle in terms of the dominance of one or the other.
***
Check out a decent review of the book here.
***
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
The book cover came from Amazon.com.
The torii came from the Wikipedia article on Shinto.
The image of Yasukuni shrine also came from Wikipedia.
The self-portrait of Norinaga came from this site.
The image of Kasulis came from this site.
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Comment by Sisi
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Comment by Sisi
Comment by LaurenD
and saga is to pilgrimage as existentialism is to mysticism.
great piece of writing here.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Comment by LaurenD
maybe 'saga' need not be clarified. as a philosopher, you know things are never really neat and tidy anyway, no matter how hard we try... ah the sweet beckoning look of the abyss that looks back....
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Along the same line Sun Tse' The Art Of War is also chocker block full of very practical philosphies for living life and overcoming obstacles.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
It's on my bedside table somewhere, but so are a lot of things...
Thanks very much for the comment (though I know that most of this post was fairly mechanical and boring. Personally, it's only that part about being at home with the experience of awe that's interesting to me.)
Comment by LaurenD
and i must say, i didn't find this post boring or mechanical at all. i enjoyed it. que sera sera.
Comment by Anonymous
I speak from personal experience, as I have journeyed through the intellectual pursuit of knowledge. I sought philosophy, intellect, metaphysics, psychics and all of the related in an attempt to get closer to God; when in fact, it was only pushing me away. I thought I was opening my mind to revelation and unseen truth, but I was making myself miserable. Always feeling unsettles and fearful, I kept looking. I want to tell other intellects out there that Truth can’t be found on these journeys of the mind. Rather, the only thing that will be found is false hope, trickery and deception. And from personal experience, the deception is fierce.
I accepted Jesus and truly understood who he was a few years ago. I remember the feeling I had when this happened because it was the feeling I have searched for my entire life. That childlike peace with no questioning...only a base of love that is felt and all understanding and peace is provided, without question. That feeling that allows us to be as we are, who we are and have inner/mental peace and love. Well, this feeling comes from God. This feeling is God and it ONLY comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When I first heard this, the fact that Jesus was the only way, I became angry, or some form of that emotion. Resistant might be the word. We tend to think that this relationship is intrusive and enclosing. While it is true that we give up ourselves and our desires, the truth that needs to be shared is that giving this up IS NOT BAD. Believe me, the peace and the love that is experienced by walking with Jesus far surpasses the empty pleasure that come with satisfying solely the self. We are God’s children and we are at BEST when we are in a relationship with him through Jesus. I would ask skeptics and doubters to give Jesus a chance. If you truly attempt to know him and allow yourself to truly believe, you will truly experience and see the true meaning of life. It is not an intellectual discovery only privileged to those “thinkers & philosophers” with high IQ’s. It is easy. It is a belief is our Lord Jesus as Savior. Trust me, the Truth will set you free. (It may make you mad before it does so) but it will set you free. I have sought for peace almost my entire adult life. The only thing that has given it to me is Jesus. He is worthy of praise and HE is everything He says He is.
Now, if you are anything like me, the journey to Jesus may be rough. Your intellect, former beliefs, deception and all other forces not from God will be working triple time to attempt to cause you not to believe. Fight through this and keep trusting that God will revel himself and bring you through. Once He does, then still stand strong and let your faith grow through prayer, reading Scriptures, music, or talking with other Christians. You will know the Truth because it is like no other thing in this world. Because it is real.
For me, the deception I learned through the New Age movement presented a huge mountain for me. The lies that I believed(over what Jesus said) blinded me and made me literally feel, perceive and believe things that were not of God. It is striking how jaded we can become and it is hard to get out of this place because we, in a way, feel secure in our beliefs. That’s just it, we FEEL secure, but we know deep down we lack that true peace that only comes from God. We, as children of sin, jaded from God have gotten used to our earthly truths and we don’t even really think about anything else. We may “believe in a higher power” or whatnot, but don’t recognize the need or a personal relationship with Jesus and furthermore realize the rewards that come with doing so. We are BLINDED BY SIN. And half the time, we don’t even realize what sin is. I have been there!
I am so adamant to share the love of Jesus with people who are blinded because: 1) I have been there and know despair and 2) want people to feel his peace, believe his word and experience His unbelievable love.
Someone once told me that Jesus is as real to him today as he was 2000 years ago to those who met him. This is TRUE and real. Please try it for yourself. Close your eyes and think of Jesus being in front of you. Pray that he comes into your heart and life and accept him as Lord and Savior. BELIEVE him. If you truly believe him, you will see him.
If we are willing to believe all of the New Age metaphysical claims, why can we not believe Jesus or give him a chance. I decided that I was. Actually, when all else miserably failed I hit rock bottom, mentally, and needed a refuge. Jesus was there and will always be. If you seek true peace of mind, this is your heart telling you to go back to God. Your sinful nature is trying to hold you back and it will work hard to do so through deception, trickery and things that seem real. It isn’t. Fight it and try Jesus. HE is the most awesome person you will ever meet. Truly.
Comment by Nonymous
Philosophy Blog
In response, I should remark that it's probably not fair to call Shintoism a New Age belief, that I personally don't believe in Shintoism, and that I think you're correct that New Age beliefs should be regarded with the same skepticism as any religion.
Your comment, I think, essentially appeals to experience -- "Try this and see." So I suppose there the matter must rest.
Comment by Nonymous
Philosophy Blog
In response, I should remark that it's probably not fair to call Shintoism a New Age belief, that I personally don't believe in Shintoism, and that I think you're correct that New Age beliefs should be regarded with the same skepticism as any religion.
Your comment, I think, essentially appeals to experience -- "Try this and see." So I suppose there the matter must rest.