The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
An article by Gaku Homma that gives an informed view. Thanks to David Yap for bringing this to our attention.
The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God? |
Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
This quote from Gaku Homma''s article sums up a great deal about how to placate the concerns of Western montheistic thought when placed in a Japanese context:
"Remember however, we can't judge these activities to be the activities of a serious religion nature. This is Japan, remember. ... Always good to have a god or two on board." Cordially, Erick Mead |
Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
Hello,
I dont see why this is so far fetched to some people, the man was that of great wisdom, and strength, in japanese culture we are taught that after you die you join the spirit world or that of the kami. In the west we know that energy is never created, lost or destroyed only reshaped, so does this not seem relevent... Yours in aiki, --joshua paszkiewicz |
Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
What a fantastic and well written article! Many thanks for bringing it to out attention Ted. I think it is unfortunate that there are not more writers on the history of Ueshiba. Although John Stevens has obviously made a valuable contribution to aikido publications, I can't help reading his own personal religious intentions behind most of what he writes.
Ian |
Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
My understanding is a bit basic and simple but I would like to share it anyway.
There is in history many examples of Prophets Messengers Saints etc who as a result of there sincere devotion to their God/gods have purified their hearts to such a degree that they become a mirror reflecting the attributes of their God/gods. For example Homma Sensei discribes after making some mistakes having to visit O'Sensei dreading that he was going to be severly reprimanded. This did not happen O'Sensei was Merciful Loving and Compassionate and he also gave Guidance on how Homma Sensei could act in a better way in the future. To me O'Sensei was reflecting Mercy an attribute of God in the monotheistic traditions or for the Japanese there would no doubt be a god (who's name I don't know ) of Mercy.Likewise he was reflecting the Loving Kind the Most Compassionate and the Guide. The Living is what is operating through us all when we are alive and breathing and as Aikidoka we know this attribute of God or kami as Ki. My personal belief is that all revealed spiritual traditions come from the One source and Unity from my limited knowledge is the highest priciple of both the Western and Eastern traditions. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him said "In the beginning there was only God and he remains exactly as He was." Another concept that I find quite simple to understand is when Homma Sensei wrote: " In Japan, according the teachings of its Shinto religion, when a person dies, they become a "god." So in this sense for the Founder to become a god after his passing is nothing out of the ordinary; in fact it is quite normal in Japan. In Japan, everyone becomes a god when they die." I am trying to live the tradition of Sufism(Esoteric Islam) we say on hearing of a persons passing "From God we come and on to Him we return". So although the language is different in Western and Eastern traditions the underlying priciples are the same. Peace be on you all Ilyas. |
Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
yeppers... we are all gods... some have thunderbolts, some have pot bellies, some have both! I like the reference to the matter energy conservation principle, as god is in all things and all thing are in god... peace
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Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
In Japan there are even trees that are Gods and you can get a black belt drinking sake.
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Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
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Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
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if they aren't gods.. |
Re: The Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a God?
Last night, I discovered that a new Kinokuniya Bookstore had opened in the Palisades Mall near where I live. So I had to go in and buy something, which turned out to be Basil Chamberlain's 1906 translation of the Kojiki. I haven't gotten far yet, but I found the following in the introduction:
Quote:
Chamberlain certainly did his part to lay the question to rest a century ago, but given the translator's own description of the Kojiki as "a very dry piece of reading," the reason his insight has not gained wider currency is not at all unclear. FL |
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