Asian Reflection in Religion

Asian Reflection in Religion

Question 1

Shugendo Now is a documentary directed by Jean-Marc Abela and Patrick Mcguire. The film can is a demonstration of the mystical practice of Asian mountain asceticism or abstinence. Shugendo, according to the documentary, is a physical and spiritual practice: a way of power acquisition characterized by the performing of rituals by practitioners. These rituals include shamanism, Daoism, and tantric Buddhism. During the process, the businessmen from contemporary Japan embark on a quest in search of what can be described as experiential truths of the religious doctrines while climbing the sacred mountains. The documentary uses a more poetic approach than a descriptive approach in its attempts to demonstrate an integration of spiritual teachings with the day to day life (Abela & Mcguire, 2010).

Throughout the documentary, therefore, the businessmen or “urban pilgrims” endure the tiring and demanding climb up the mountain. The main motivation behind this demanding quest can be traced back to Japanese cultural traditions. The Japanese traditions draw upon a wide range of practices and cultural beliefs, emphasizing things such as sacred sites that are often associated with nature. As depicted in Japanese art forms, waterfalls and mountains are regarded as spiritual or holy places. They choose mainly to climb the mountain due to its significance in Japanese culture. Shugendo indeed engages the body, the heart, and the mind because firstly the person gets to abstain from the destructions of the contemporary world and secondly, they have time to focus on accomplishing a demanding task of climbing the mountain which is also regarded as sacred (Abela & Mcguire, 2010). It is, therefore, from the suffering endured during the climbing of the mountain and meditation or the one-pointed concentration that Shugendo can be described to engage the body, the heart, and the mind.

My most memorable scene in the documentary was when contemporary practitioners entered the mountain. This struck me most because it was a demonstration of the essence of the Shegunda practice, which according to the narrator, is a demonstration of the reentering the mother’s womb with the mountain perceived as the mother.  Women were forbidden from taking part in rites such as Shugendo until after the war period when considerations were made and their participation restored. This can also be traced back to Japanese cultural practices where Japan women were not allowed to participate in most of the rituals, such as entering the shrine through a gate called Torii for over a period of one year after they had given birth since they were perceived to be unclean. Despite their roles being restored, we can see women occupying what can be described as an ambiguous role in the shegunda practice as portrayed in the film: In the film, none of the practitioners was a woman. Among the religious traditions in South East Asia, I find the concept behind Buddhism being the most appealing because it was founded on the quest to search for answers and explain phenomena in life such as pain and suffering.

Question 2

Prior to the course, I knew that the main religions in Asia were Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. I knew that Buddhism entailed several beliefs and traditions that were based on the teachings and philosophies attributed to Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. I also knew that the religion originated from India with the main goal or motivation being to overcome suffering and discover the life aspects of death and rebirth. I was also conversant with the concept of karma, whereby every deed is projected to produce a seed that matures later in the life of the individual. I also knew about Confucianism and the doctrines, as outlined by Confucius (Keyes, Kendall, & Hardacre, 1994). I knew Confucianism as a complex philosophical, and religious way of that also emphasizes on social hierarchy and family. The religion also emphasizes integrity, and unlike other religions, is manifested in people’s attitudes rather than institutions.

Before the course, I also knew about the Hinduism and its complex concept of god characterized by the acknowledgment of the existence of other gods while being devoted to one. I also knew that Hinduism was not only a religion but also a way of life sharing concepts such as karma and Dharma, which is considered the objective of all human beings. I also knew of several festivities, such as Holi and Diwali. My assumptions were challenged in the sense that I was not aware of other religions in Asia, such as Daoism. Daoism, as I came to learn, is a diverse combination of culture and religion, emphasizing both living in harmony with Dao. Dao is a collective term for principle, path, and way (Keyes, Kendall, & Hardacre, 1994). I also learned about Shinto, which is common mainly among the Japanese and entails a set of religious practices that are carried out to provide a link between modern and ancient Japan.

I have also been able to gain significant insights throughout the course, for example, the various doctrines and religious concept in Asia. I have learned the relevance of practices such as the Shegunda that are characterized by mountain climbing through which they aim to attain experiential truths and integrate them into their modern daily lives. Through the course, I have also obtained significant insights into religions such as Daoism and how they came to existence. Daoism, for example, emerged from the writings of Laozi and his disciples. I also obtained deeper insights into religions that I shallowly knew about, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and how they came to existence.

In conclusion, my learning experience can be described as both academically and personally meaningful. It has been academically meaningful because of the wealth of knowledge about the diverse cultures in the world and their practices. Academically I have also learned about the various concepts emphasized by multiple cultures such as karma. I have been able to acquire useful philosophies stressed by the different religions, especially Confucianism and Buddhism, through which I have obtained essential social and life skills.

References

Abela, J., & Mcguire, M. (2010). Shugendô Now [Film]. Japan.

Keyes, C. F., Kendall, L., & Hardacre, H. (Eds.). (1994). Asian visions of authority: Religion and the modern states of East and Southeast Asia. University of Hawaii Press.