Along with the development of feudalism in Japan and the advent of the samurai, the doctrine of "Zen" was born and developed. "Zen" or "Zenshu" is one of the directions in Buddhism. Subsequently, Zen would become the most popular and influential teaching among the samurai.
The Buddhist monk Bodhidharma is considered the founder of Zen. He began preaching in India and China. At the end of the eleventh and beginning of the twelfth century, the teaching penetrated into Japan. It happened thanks to two Buddhist monks Eisai and Dogen. The word "Zen" in Japanese means: silent contemplation, mastery of spiritual and external forces to achieve enlightenment.
The teachings of Zen became popular among the samurai because its foundations taught everything that a good warrior needs. The teaching said that work on oneself is constantly needed, it develops the ability to find the essence of any problem, focus on it and go towards your goal, no matter what.
The prostate also contributed to the spread of the teachings among the samurai. Zen denied any written language and the samurai did not have to read various religious books. But for propaganda, supporters of the teaching used Buddhist books and texts. Samurai had to delve into the teachings of Samumu or with the help of a mentor.
Zen helped develop the samurai's will, composure, and self-control, which were necessary skills for a good warrior. A very important skill for a samurai was not to flinch in the face of unexpected danger and to be able to maintain clarity of mind and be aware of his actions and actions. According to the teachings, the samurai had to have iron willpower, go straight to the enemy and kill him, without looking back or to the side. At the same time, Zen taught to be restrained and imperturbable in all situations, and a professing Zen Buddhist should not even pay attention to insults. In addition to self-control, the teachings of Zen instilled in the samurai unquestioning obedience to their commander and master.
An attractive factor for the samurai in the teaching was that Zen Buddhism recognized life in the existing world not as a reality, but as just an appearance. Life for Zen is only an ephemeral and illusory representation of "Nothing". Life is given to people for a while. And as the main religion of the samurai, Zen Buddhism taught not to cling to life and not be afraid of death. A true warrior had to despise death.
The religion of the samurai, which considered life to be illusory and impermanent, connected everything transient with the concept of beauty. A short-term, short-lived, short period of time was clothed in a special aesthetic form. From here comes the love of the samurai to watch the cherry blossoms and how the petals of this tree fall. This also includes the evaporation of the race in the morning after sunrise and other similar things. In fact, it follows from this that the shorter the life of a samurai, the more beautiful it is. A short but bright life was considered especially beautiful. This concept formed the Japanese warriors' lack of fear of death and the ability to die.
The concept of easy death was also influenced by Confucianism. A sense of duty, moral purity and self-sacrifice were raised to an unattainable height. Samurai were taught from childhood to sacrifice everything for the sake of their master or commander. Therefore, death in the name of fulfillment of duty was considered real life.
The dogmas of Buddhism and Confucianism were well adapted to the professional interests of the samurai. And the psychology and ethics of the samurai further strengthened the glorification of death, self-sacrifice and gave death a halo of glory. All this was closely connected with the cult of death and the rite of hara-kiri.
Buddhist dogmas about life also left their imprint on the attitude towards death. According to them, life is endless, and death is only a link in the constant rebirth into a new life. The death of a samurai, according to Buddhism, did not mean the end of his existence in future lives. Therefore, many samurai, dying on the battlefield, read Buddhist prayers with a smile on their faces. These dogmas also influenced the formation of the etiquette of death, which every samurai had to know and observe.
The religious trend of Zen spread very widely to the life of the samurai, it shaped not only their religious beliefs, but also their behavior. The foundations of Zen teachings were laid down in Bushido, the code of morality of the samurai.
Along with the teachings of Zen, samurai also believed in some Buddhist gods. The goddess of mercy and compassion Kannon (Avalokiteshvara) and the deity Marisiten (Marichi) patronizing warriors were very popular with them.
Among the samurai, before the start of the war, it was common to put a small image of the goddess Kannon into their helmet. And before the start of a battle or duel, the samurai asked the deity Marishiten for help and patronage.
In parallel with Zen Buddhism, samurai believed in the ancient Japanese cult of Shinto. According to this religion, samurai honored their ancestors, nature, local deities and worshiped the souls of warriors killed in battle. One of the main Shinto shrines was the holy sword. The sword was considered a symbol of the samurai and the soul of a warrior.
Along with the Buddhist deities, the samurai also revered the Shintai god of war, Hachiman, whose prototype was the deified emperor of Japan, Ojin. Like the Buddhist goddess Kannon, the samurai also, before the start of the war, turned to the god Hachiman, asked him for support in the upcoming war and took oaths.
The third major religion of the samurai was Confucianism. It was more ideological than religious in nature, in addition to religious moments included ethical ones. Confucianism in Japan adapted to local Buddhism and Shintoism and confirmed such views as: obedience, fidelity to duty, obedience to one's master, moral perfection, strict observance of the laws of the family, society and state.
The fusion of Buddhism, Shinto and Confucianism had a strong impact on the spiritual life of the samurai. It has become commonplace for samurai to simultaneously pray and ask for help from Buddhist and Shinto gods and at the same time observe the moral and ethical standards of Confucianism. Over time, these three currents were closely intertwined in the religious life of the samurai and began to be perceived as one.
See also
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Iga Ueno castle
Many tourists flock to Iga Ueno in search of ninja experiences, often overlooking the city's centerpiece: Iga Ueno Castle, a prime example of Warring States period fortresses. Surprisingly, the Ninja Museum and Iga Ueno Castle share the same grounds, nestled within modern-day Ueno Park!
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Himeji Castle
Perched atop the 45.6-meter-high Mt. Hime, Himeji Castle dominates the landscape of Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture, offering a commanding view of the Harima Plain. Adorned in white plaster, the main tower group is often likened to a graceful egret in flight, earning the castle its alternative moniker of "White Egret Castle." Among Japan's dwindling original castles, Himeji boasts the most intact structures. Notably, its main tenshu keep and ko-tenshu sub-keeps were bestowed the prestigious title of National Treasures in 1931, while an additional 74 edifices hold the esteemed designation of National Important Cultural Properties. Alongside Horyu-ji Temple, Himeji Castle proudly holds the distinction of being Japan's inaugural World Heritage site, a recognition bestowed upon it in 1993.
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Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle, nestled in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, is categorized as a hirayama-jiro, a castle strategically built on a low hill with the surrounding flatlands integrated into its design. Remarkably, it stands as one of Japan's twelve castles with its original tower keep intact, proudly holding the distinction of being one of only five designated as National Treasures. The castle's inception dates back to 1603, commissioned by Ii Naomasa.
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Hamamatsu Castle
Hamamatsu Castle, situated in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, originally bore the name Hikuma Castle or Shusse-jo ("Castle of Success"). Constructed around 1532 by Imagawa Sadatsuke on a modest hill, its fate changed with the fall of the Imagawa clan following their defeat by Oda Nobunaga at Okehazama in 1560. In the aftermath, Tokugawa Ieyasu, then 29 years old, claimed control of the stronghold, shifting his base from Okazaki to Hamamatsu in 1570. Over the next 17 years, Ieyasu fortified and expanded the castle, shaping it into a Teikakushi-styled layout spanning 600 meters east to west and 650 meters north to south. The south-facing main gate stood sentinel over the vital Tokaido Route.
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Gifu Castle
Gifu Castle, once known as Inabayama Castle, has stood as a symbol of Gifu City and a hallmark of the tumultuous Sengoku period for over eight centuries. Initially constructed by the Nikaido clan around 1201, it underwent expansions and fortifications by influential daimyo such as the Saito clan of Mino and the Oda clan of Owari.
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Fukui Castle
Fukui Castle, erected in 1606 by Yuki Hideyasu, Tokugawa Ieyasu's clandestine son, stands as a testament to a complex family history. Born to Oman, a servant of Ieyasu's wife Tsukiyama Dono, Yuki Hideyasu was concealed by his father out of fear of marital discord. Raised in the shadows until his emergence as a samurai, Yuki proved his mettle in numerous battles, earning accolades from Ieyasu himself.
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Azuchi Castle
Azuchi Castle, inspired by the design of Komakiyama Oda Nobunaga’s initial fortress, boasted a distinctive feature that defied conventional defensive tactics: a grand, wide stone-lined Otemichi stairway leading directly to the base of the central Honmaru enclosure. This seemingly inviting approach, devoid of the usual winding paths meant to impede attackers, hinted at Nobunaga’s confidence, almost daring any potential adversary to challenge him.
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Asuke Castle
Asuke Castle, situated in Aichi Prefecture, may have been modest in size, but it played a pivotal role in numerous battles. It stands as one of Japan’s earliest and finest examples of a meticulously reconstructed Yamashiro-type castle from the Sengoku period.
