More of an Introduction to Asian Philosophies Part 2

Let's continue with the rest of the philosophical interests of these areas. Mostly because they do affect Japan indirectly and directly. There is the topics of Taoism and also Shinto!

Taoism

What is it? Well, let's start with some tracts, since my room was mean and ate my books on it, I will just have to go through a website to get the information. There are at least 81 sets of poems and also gives a bit of a naturalistic view of the world.

1
The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.

The unnamable is the eternally real.
Naming is the origin
of all particular things.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.

Yet mystery and manifestations
arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.

Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding.
(http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html)

This is the first time you see this set of poetry, there are almost an amazing set of research that is done about it. Japan doesn't use this entirely, but it is seriously important considering that it later influences some of the Shinto beliefs too about nature.

Nature is considered one of the most important parts of the study of Taoism, it is the fact that Nature in itself is important and also linked to the cause of a lot things. The making of rivers and such were the focus of Lao Tzu the teacher who was forced to write down all of these, according to the legend.

Basics
http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/fall99/hundoble/
Commentary

In most cases, the philosophy is still holding the idea that nature is part of the world.

4
The Tao is like a well:
used but never used up.
It is like the eternal void:
filled with infinite possibilities.

It is hidden but always present.
I don't know who gave birth to it.
It is older than God.
(http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html)

The Tao considering that fact that nothing can always be used up, that things will happen and then be renewed, don't forget, that even the most important part of the philosophy is that Nature is there.
Shinto

What is Shinto, in Japan, the religion is almost like Taoism, an extreme love of nature and life, characters of life and death, then renewal. In many ways Shinto has many gods and goddess linked to it and many times they appear in different parts. There is the Goddess, Amaterasu who is the sun goddess who was famed for helping to create the world. If anyone who has seen the movie "Last Samurai" and heard the small story at the introduction of the movie, you would hear only a small bit of the story of the creation myth that was and is Shinto.

The many goddesses and gods were linked to the terms, Tengu (demons), Kami (Goddess and Gods), and many more things. There are names that are countless, local villages event have different Gods and Goddesses that they did locally worship in one way or another.

As seen in many anime or movies, the beliefs are still instilled in the people and children, even in the city, but less so now than ever.

The Goddess Amaterasu is seen in many different forms, she seems almost beautiful and wants to create the world in light and not have people trying to hurt her creation. She has other Kami who become the focus of attention, one being a storm god who just about hurt her.

Link:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/shinto.htm
http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/bender4/eall131/EAHReadings/module02/m02japanese.html

Commentary:

When I look at Shinto I am reminded of the anime of Higurashi where many of the villages are still living with the comments of beware of this god or that. That foxes are playful jokers who were able to kill those who trespass without thinking twice upon it.

"Be careful of the snake," Mr. Takayama said conversationally. We were passing beneath a large cryptomeria on our way back from a purification ritual he had conducted in a small shrine set among ripening rice fields. (Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Michael Ashkenazi Page. 1)

These are common thoughts, the temples and shrines are so respected that even animals are also respected around it. That is seen also in many different anime and sometimes even seen as a little weird in the Western world.