a sixth sense cannot make up for a complete lack of common sense
the resident
-best known as May Ching-
-09/01/1990-
-19 years 1.2 months-
-mugger/slacker/writer-
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Sunday, January 04, 2009, 8:25 pm
Busy day today.I finally finished a book about Japan: its history, culture and society. The part about religion was particularly interesting because it described the Japanese attitude as 'practical'.
I think the Shinto religion, the traditional religion of Japan is quite fascinating. For those who don't know, it's a simple animistic religion in which everything contains a deity. So in effect there is a whole host of gods and goddesses (kami) in the pantheon, which is headed by Ameratsu, the sun goddess.
Shintoism has no particular code, unlike today's other established religions like Christianity and Islam. In actual fact, modern followers combine Shinto worship with elements of Buddhism.
It appeals to me, especially with my personal philosophy, which can be summarised as follows:
If you want fate to come knocking on your door, you have to lay out the welcome mat first.
What this piece of doggerel means is that fate is both controlled by ourselves and determined by the mysterious machinations of the universe. Confusing? Not really. I really believe you yourself is responsible for how your life turns out but if the universe really has it out for you, well then, nothing can be done, you sad bastard.
Back to religion, I am an strong opponent of organized religion, which I think has departed from its roots. But I'm not entirely a godless heathen. I like animism, the spirit of everything. The carved bone fish hook (hei matau) I like to wear is actually part of Maori animism.
Labels: religion