Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Hawaiian Religion, and Bushido has helped me tremendously

The Difficult Duality of Buddhism and Bushido

Some of my entries includes a lot of Buddhism and Bushido (samurai) philosophy.  I have to have some fun with my job or I will burn myself out like many others.  In order to understand what I am saying, one has to practice it.  Many of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion are good examples of the duality of compassion and the samurai spirit.  It is difficult because one is trying to become a Buddha by reaching enlightenment by attaining ultimate compassion and understanding the meaning of life and one’s existence.  However, when people draw swords on you, it is difficult to attain such a high goal.  Bushido is the way of the samurai where one faces his enemies with battle yet shows respect to them. Battles with enemies brings out emotions that is contrary to “compassion,” therefore, there is a conflict in attaining enlightenment.  Bodhisattvas are individuals that are striving for Buddhahood, but their human weaknesses have prevented them from attaining it.  To be clear, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are everyday people like us, not gods or angels.  One Bodhisattva, Jizo said that after he dies, he would go to the lower six realms to help and save souls who are sufferring so that they can go up to a higher spiritual realm.  He sacrificed attaining Buddhahood to help the suffering souls.  Another named Achala said after he dies, he would try to help living souls in the physical world who are going down the wrong path and try to get them back on the right path.  He finds it challenging to help the most stubborn, angry, or depressed people.  He wards off evil, which brings out a lot of emotions, and because of this, he also sacrificed attaining Buddhahood so that he can help others attain a happy life.  Basically, you can help others to be happy, even if it means sacrificing your own ultimate happiness.

Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Hawaiian Religion, and Bushido

My foundation is Buddhism.  It has taught me how to practice controlling your mind and soul to become more compassionate.  It also taught me to communicate with your ancestors and teachers of compassion through prayer and esoteric meditation.  Zen meditation is a very powerful practice to relax your body, mind, and soul by clearing all your thoughts and emotions.

Through, Taoism, I have learned to bring balance in my life.  Practices such as Feng Shui has helped me at a psychological level in achieving this.

Shintoism and the Hawaiian religion has taught me that everything has a soul, therefore, we must respect everything around us.

Bushido has taught me to be aware of death at all times.  Since death could happen anytime, we must live life to the fullest.  It also taught me to be careful of my actions becuase it could cost me an unnecessary fight or an untimely death, thus, stress and conflict can be avoided.