superoutland@aol.com (SuperOutland) wrote in message news:<e91ad9af.0402050858.8cd835f@posting.google.com>...
> What is the point of japanese buddhist training when alcohol would do just fine?


Just to give you an idea of Japanese philosophy, I'll post the
following notes:

Under the auspices of unmei the course of events in life was regarded
as being largely coincidental, while the view associated with
shukumei, which incorporated Buddhist influences, was more
deterministic, conceiving the individual span of life in terms of
previous and subsequent incarnations.

bun-that which should be so.

mibun-a person's station in life.

In the spirit of akiramae one could allow all events to take their
course passively and without anxiety, recognizing it as the way
ordained by providence.

fushigi shugi-prescribing restraint of emotion

ittaikan-the feeling of being one body.

negumi arai-the love of innocence and artlessness may explain why
Japanese are not very fond of cynicism and sarcasm.  Even the mildest
form of irony makes Japanese students cringe, and can earn you a
reputation of being iyami (disagreeable and offensive).