2025.04.03

Shinto~Japan The origin of the human mind and its significance in modern times

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When most people hear the word "Shinto," the first thing that comes to mind is shrines. It is a very natural custom for Japan people to visit shrines and make various prayers at milestones in life, such as visiting the shrine for the first time, visiting the shrine, 753, warding off evil, praying for passing exams, praying for traffic safety, etc. In recent years, it has attracted attention as a power spot, and the number of people visiting shrines nationwide is increasing. However, not much is known about the teachings of the gods enshrined in the shrines, that is, the essence of Shintoism.

Article Contents

Shinto is close at hand

Shinto is close at hand

Shinto is a faith that honors, thanks, and enshrines the ancestors who are the ancestors of the Japan people. At the same time, it is also a way to use the power of the ancestors, that is, the power of God, to govern the nation and make it possible for the good fortune of Japan people. Shinto is the foundation of the spirituality, values, and behavioral patterns of Japan people, and by coming into contact with its rich wisdom, we can find the purpose and meaning of life.

Desire and the "Pure Heart": The Conflict Between the Two Minds

In Shintoism, it is believed that there is a mind called "desire" that creates various worries and sufferings in our hearts, and another "bare heart = divine will" given by the gods (ancestors of Japan). The "pure heart" is said to be the pure heart that is born with it, and is connected to the will of God. Since ancient times, Japan people have been building a nation while controlling and exorcising various desires (appetite, desire for money, desire for honor, feelings of arrogance, excessive sexual desire, etc.) based on this "raw heart." He was deeply aware of the importance of controlling his desires. This is because, as the saying goes, "Nothing that can be feared is long gone," it was believed that disturbances in the mind would lead not only to the destruction of the individual but also to the turmoil of the nation.

Modern Japan was built as a result of the distant ancestors of the gods, who overcame various difficulties and worked tirelessly to create the nation of Japan. For us, it is an eternal task to exorcise our desires from our hearts.

Nation-building and the view of labor, and labor as a sacred ritual

Just as our distant ancestors, the gods, created Japan, we too can get closer to the way of life of our ancestors by working with a high aspiration to "create a better Japan." Working with the desire to create a better country is the path that leads to Shintoism. This way of thinking underlies the work ethic of Japan people. In the past, the Japan people were deeply rooted in the consciousness that working was not just a means to earn a living, but a sacred ritual, a practice to discipline oneself in this world, or a rough practice.

Behind the miraculous recovery from the burnt ruins of the postwar period and the country's becoming an economic powerhouse was a strong spirit of "creating a better Japan." However, in today's society, where we have become materially rich and have entered an age of satiation, people tend to be arrogant, lose sight of their own essence, and find it difficult to control their desires.

Trapped by the desire to "want money, status, and honor" "I would be happier if I had more money", we compare ourselves with others and become subservient to those who are richer than us, or conversely, we despise people who are poor or because of their profession. In this way, the measure of "whether there is money or not" is one of the values of Japan today. And they suffer in the conflict of various desires 。

In such a situation, we tend to forget the "true heart of the Japan people = the will of God" that sleeps deep in our hearts.

Japan's "Raw Heart" and Manifestation of God's Will

We have the same "bare heart = divine will" as the gods, who are originally distant ancestors. This "true heart" of the Japan people is revealed in various situations. For example, in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, people cooperate with each other and try to overcome difficulties without looting or rioting, which is a manifestation of their true hearts. In addition, even though they are in a difficult situation, they do not forget to be considerate of others and try to help each other, which is also a manifestation of their "true hearts." This action is nothing less than the will of the gods (ancestors) who created the nation of Japan.

For us, it may be a very normal behavior, but at the root of it is deeply related to God's will, which is why we are able to act in this way. It is because there is a "bare heart = God's will" that social discipline and ethics are formed, and people can live in order.

Even when people are not looking, we see many such figures in our daily lives, such as people who try to do the right thing, people who do kind deeds without asking for anything in return, people who are considerate of others, and beautiful streets that are clean and clean. Isn't the "bare heart = God's will" at the root of these actions what we should pursue throughout our lives?

Wounds in the heart caused by sin, defilement, and lust

In the "exorcism" that is a celebratory song, there is the phrase "exorcise the defilement of sin." Specifically, this "sinful defilement" refers to excessive desire (appetite, sexual desire, etc.). It is an ancient Shinto teaching that we should not hurt the precious will of the gods, that is, the "raw heart," that lies behind it, by lust. There is nothing more important than for us to return to "pure heart = God's will".

The gods and ancestors of Japan have worked hard to build a better country based on "bare heart = divine will". He was not driven by desire. The reason why the act of "exorcism" is necessary is that we can get closer to God by acting in the same way as our ancestors.

This way of thinking is the belief that lies at the root of Shintoism. The most important thing is to regain our original form, "bare heart = God's will". The action of trying to create something better, not to satisfy one's own desires, leads to a heart that cares for others and a heart that tries to help others.

God's will and inherited DNA

There are 81,336 shrines throughout Japan (according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs), and the hearts of the gods described in ancient texts such as the Kojiki, Japan Shoki, and Hotsuma Tsutae are still alive. More importantly, our gods are our ancestors who are connected by blood. Therefore, as descendants of the gods, we have inherited its DNA. We are born with the inheritance of God's will. The gods are not only objects of gratitude, but they are also already present in our own hearts.

All people are already endowed with the spirituality of God when they are born. However, most people don't realize it and don't pay attention to it. This is because they are dominated by their desires and have become invisible. And we have the illusion that our desires are our true intentions 。

The true heart is the "bare heart = God's will" given by God from birth.

That "bare heart" is what lies behind the exorcism of one's own desires. It is not something that is taught and understood by others, but something that is realized by oneself.

For this reason, we live our lives every day with the aim of exorcising the defilement of our desires and returning to our "true hearts."

We are all on a journey back to our "bare heart = God's will."

How to get rid of defilement: Eating less and enlightenment

And in order to reduce defilement, it is necessary to try to eat a diet that does not pollute the body, that is, to change gluttony and binge eating, and to practice small meals. It is no exaggeration to say that all human desires begin with this appetite. The stronger the appetite, the more desires and worries there are, and the deeper the suffering.

On the other hand, when abstaining from food becomes the norm, we are freed from desires and our minds are free.

If you continue to refrain from eating in this way, the "bare heart = God's will" inherited from your ancestors will be revived. By continuing this kind of diet, you will eventually come to understand God's will and act unconsciously in that way. This is the path of enlightenment.

In today's society, it has become commonplace for us to live a life full of desires. However, if we can look into our hearts and realize the will of God within, we should be able to live a richer life.

Shinto is a way to awaken our own inner divinity, which is not something special, but exists in our daily lives. We are always with God, and we live our lives embodying His will. Isn't it true that to be aware of this and to live with a sense of gratitude is to follow the teachings of Shintoism?

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