What Christians Can Learn from Japanese Religions

Abstract

This chapter looks at what Christians can learn from Japanese religions. Japanese religiosity is unique in that it is premised on diversity and pluralism. Most Japanese identify with more than one religion or engage in the practices of more than one religious tradition. The popular idea that Japanese are born Shinto, marry Christian, and die Buddhist encapsulates this sentiment. At the base of this, however, is the principle of Ta no Wa or harmony of diversity. This, in turn, is at the roots of koshinto or basic Shinto, which is Japan’s most fundamental religious spirituality. It is a spirituality founded on religious experience, intuition, and nonrationality.