Shinto, Buddhism and an Epidemic in Ancient Nara

 

                                          Adobe Stock Photo of a Japanese Monk seeking alms

It was a rainy and windy morning on a weekend and there I sat reminiscing the time that I went to Japan in 2019 when the weather was equally cooling. As I sat there reading the newspaper with a hot cup of coffee in hand, I chanced upon an interesting article about the place I visited, Nara, Japan.

It is about Shinto and Buddhism in Japan, and their connections to an ancient epidemic which took place over a thousand years ago. But seeing that the article is not available online, I decided to share what I read with my blog followers who are equally interested in Japanese culture.

It began when a Shinto deity and a Buddhist god joined forces to fight a smallpox epidemic in 735 A.D., which was hundreds of years before the age of the warrior class, Samurai, known as Nara Period, where the Imperial Court reigned supremacy across the lands from its ancient capital, Nara.

At the time, disasters and illnesses were widely believed to be the work of malevolent spirits called, Onryo. A mythical demon named, Hososhin, supposedly spread the smallpox across Japan, creating problems for Emperor Shomu. Several monasteries were erected in response to the epidemic.

The monasteries which have now becomes popular tourists destinations were originally built to earn the favour of the Buddhist deities. One such building is the famous iconic Todaiji temple, which is known for its huge 16 meter tall bronze statue of the cosmic Buddha, Vairocana.

                                                     Adobe Stock Photo of Todaiji in Nara, Japan

Although Shinto was then Japan's original and dominant religion, Buddhism had arrived from Korea about 200 years earlier, which had earned a small but devoted followers including Emperor Shomu himself. The devastating effects of the epidemic prompted religious fervour.

This saw an increased numbers of people adopting the new religion. Interestingly, rather than sidelining Shinto, the Emperor aimed to combine it with Buddhism. This is exemplified by his decision to construct a statue of Shinto deity, Hachiman, near the huge Buddha statue.

                 Vairocana (Buddhist Deity) and Hachiman (Shinto Deity) in Todaiji by Hong Seongwan

The Emperor assigned Hachiman to protect and guide Vairocana, as the Buddhist deity tried to bring Japan out of the crisis. They are the symbolic relationship of Shinto and Buddhism, which what makes Buddhism in Japan appears differently and unique than anywhere else in the world.

Particularly, because of the infusion of Shinto's beliefs that divinity dwells within all living things. The idea is to treat nature with respect as you would with any living person instead of treating it like an object to be used, wasted and discarded. 

In Japan, you might notice straw rope tied around certain tree trunks with white streamers known as Shide, usually around Shinto shrines, which indicate their sacred status. Todaiji was built by such sacred trees of the forest of Mount Wakakusa. 

                                                            Sacred Tree by Yuri Yorozuna

This religious devotion to nature is one reason why Japan has so much pristine wilderness to explore, that it's becoming so popular with tourists who are interested in camping and hiking in the wilderness. To this day, both Shinto and Buddhism are practice by 70% of the population.

Looking back now at Nara, where the deer roamed free, the beautiful flowers decorating the park and the magnificence of the temple shrines, it is hard to believe that it was once engulfed in an epidemic where victims were wailing in agony, paranoia and anxiety were running rampant.

Gravediggers were unable to meet the increasing demands and the people were desperately needed to hold on to something to keep on living and remain hopeful that everything will turn out fine one day and things will go back to normal as it was once before.

                                                      Parishioners by Match Sumaya 

Back before the discovery of modern science and medicine, Emperor Shomu did the only thing he could think of to help and ease the mind of his people in some ways, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to us today. 

Emperor Shomu not only brought hope to the people but unified two different religions which continue to prosper almost 1,300 years later in modern Japan. There is an Emperor Shomu Festival which is a Buddhist memorial service held annually on May 2nd at Todaiji Temple.

                                   Emperor Shomu Festival by Adam Satterthwaite

Japan has survived several crisis, from wars to natural disasters and epidemics. Now it is once again fighting for survival like everyone else in the world, where mask makers are churning out more masks, pharmaceutical are producing more vaccines and healthcare are struggling with patients.

Governments are struggling to keep the economy going and it's borders open, average people like you and I are struggling to continue earning our living to keep food on the table and to keep the water and electricity running in our homes, while trying to stay sane and healthy.