Brett Robson <jet_boy@deja.com> wrote in message news:<c037u602dkr@drn.newsguy.com>...
> On 7 Feb 2004 04:19:15 -0800, wasabi  ...
> >
> >Brett Robson <jet_boy@deja.com> wrote in message
> >news:<c00d1102q3t@drn.newsguy.com>...
> >> On 6 Feb 2004 06:28:52 -0800, wasabi  ...
> >> >
> >> >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).
> >> 
> >> Interesting that Japanese dropped the most important parts of Buddhism, being
> >> nice to people and respecting all life (even Koreans).
> >> 
> >> 
> >
> >What are you talking about? Ninjou?
> 
> Yes, but there is more to it than than. Buddhism respects all life. This is the
> most important part of Buddhism but never made it across the Japan Sea.
> 
 
The Buddhism that was brought to Japan was compatible and blended with
Shinto that teaches close harmony between people, nature and the gods.
 The gods were in everything: rocks, trees, rivers, plants and
animals.  Shinto encouraged simplicity and cleanliness as signs of
inner goodness. It emphasised spiritual and physical purity. 
Followers were to be pure in heart and mind and grateful for the many
blessings of the kami.

I've read somewhere that because of Buddhist principles, most monks
and much of the populace were vegetarian (but maybe economics also had
something to do with that).

So I think that you're putting me on or badly misinformed.