‘Loyalty to a superior was the most distinctive virtue of the feudal era’, and paramount importance was placed on loyalty to one’s nation. Fear of disgrace hung like a sword over the head of every Samurai.’ ‘A vivid consciousness of personal dignity and worth characterised the Samurai, who were raised to value the duties and privileges of their profession. Luxury was thought the greatest menace to manhood, and severe simplicity was required of the warrior class.’ Living modestly was encouraged ‘for the exercise of abstinence. ‘Respect should be the expression of a benevolent regard for the feelings of others in its highest form respect and politeness approach love.’ Confucius often said that the highest requirement of a ruler of men is benevolence.’ ‘Love, magnanimity, sympathy and pity are traits of benevolence, the highest attribute of the human soul. Without bones the head cannot rest on top of the spine, nor hands move, nor feet stand.’Ĭonfucius explains: ‘Perceiving what is right and doing it not, reveals a lack of courage.’ ‘Justice is the bone that gives firmness and stature.
#Samurai meditation code#
It was this fierce loyalty demonstrated by the finest Samurai warriors which led to the unwritten code of chivalrous conduct, outlook, and customs known today as Bushido or ‘the precepts of knighthood.’ Nitobe Inazo, the author of Bushido, the Soul of Japan, elucidates these eight virtues: The theoretical obligations of the lord-retainer relationship of the Samurai were further emphasised by the teachings of Confucius, whose works were a required reading for the Samurai class. Zen meditation, as well as the Buddhist concept of reincarnation, led the Samurai to overcome the fear of death and to abandon futile violence, while Confucianism laid great emphasis on the importance of loyalty and honour. The culture of the Samurai was influenced by the spiritual philosophies of Buddhism, Zen, and Confucianism, whilst also to a lesser extent, ideologies from the native Japanese religion of Shintoism. However, the ritual nature of the ceremony particularly intrigued the highly educated Samurai, and thus, the peaceable custom was adopted and subsequently flourished through the people’s emulation of the warrior elites’ practises. The practice of preparing the tea was introduced to the Samurai by Buddhist monks who used the tea to stay alert during periods of meditation. The art of sadō, the Japanese tea ceremony, particularly flourished in Japan’s era of post-pacifism due to its emphasis on simplicity and tranquillity consequently, enabling the Samurai to gain critical insight into realism through contemplation.
Thus, the Samurai, formerly engaged in intense martial training, devoted their time instead to furthering their own spiritual development, scholarly pursuits, or in service to Japan’s traditional arts – from monochrome ink painting to flower arranging and Zen rock gardens. Hideyoshi’s loyalty to his duty is renowned in Japanese history as a practical depiction of the word Samurai, denoting ‘one who serves with this service ethic spawning the roots of Samurai nobility, both social and spiritual.’ Following Japan’s pacifism and with civil society at the precipice of peace, the nation’s need for its master swordsmen declined. Nobunaga, impressed by his dedication and sense of honour, rewarded his sandal-bearer’s intellect at each turn, as Hideyoshi began to distinguish himself as the military leader who would eventually unify Japan in the 16 th century.
One cold winter’s night, Hideyoshi pressed his master’s straw sandals to himself under his kimono in order to keep them warm. Hideyoshi absconded at the age of 15, eventually entering into the services of Oda Nobunaga, an ambitious Samurai general, as his sandal-bearer. The legend of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great Samurai warrior, tells of a peasant boy sent by his family to a nearby temple in order to become a priest. These are the spirits of liberty, of religion, and of honour.’ The Warrior
‘There are, if I may so say, three powerful spirits, which have from time to time, moved on the face of the waters, and given a predominant impulse to the moral sentiments and energies of mankind.
0 kommentar(er)
