OneoftheLost
Member
Sohei Warrior Monks
This is a generalized link regarding something that baffles me. While I don't consider myself Buddhist, I am trying to understand what the Buddha taught. Its all quite complex, and sometimes I take a break and look over various other Buddhism related things. One thing that continues to confuse me would be Japan's approach to Buddhism. I understand the transition from Shinto, what I don't get is how these monks turned to violence.
As far as I can tell, violence in Buddhism is extremely frowned upon. To the point where one would be enduring Karma (as I understand it.) for many lives to come. (in the more traditional sects.) Ive always understood Buddhism to be a very pacifist thing unless provoked to the point where survival instinct becomes priority, or someone loved is threatened.
I came across some more writings by a famous Samurai named Mushashi Miyomoto. He writes for the separation of religious and combat ideologies, or more precisely, to ignore religion when in battle.
Yet these monks seemed to fight other sects of Buddhists and among themselves. I don't really understand it at all. Sure the era was a civil war, but its just not clicking.
Am I missing something glaringly obvious? Or did these monks choose not to follow the Buddha's teachings as closely as some, and instead formed their own ideologies? Like a cult, or offshoot sect?
Just genuinely curious about some things.
This is a generalized link regarding something that baffles me. While I don't consider myself Buddhist, I am trying to understand what the Buddha taught. Its all quite complex, and sometimes I take a break and look over various other Buddhism related things. One thing that continues to confuse me would be Japan's approach to Buddhism. I understand the transition from Shinto, what I don't get is how these monks turned to violence.
As far as I can tell, violence in Buddhism is extremely frowned upon. To the point where one would be enduring Karma (as I understand it.) for many lives to come. (in the more traditional sects.) Ive always understood Buddhism to be a very pacifist thing unless provoked to the point where survival instinct becomes priority, or someone loved is threatened.
I came across some more writings by a famous Samurai named Mushashi Miyomoto. He writes for the separation of religious and combat ideologies, or more precisely, to ignore religion when in battle.
Yet these monks seemed to fight other sects of Buddhists and among themselves. I don't really understand it at all. Sure the era was a civil war, but its just not clicking.
Am I missing something glaringly obvious? Or did these monks choose not to follow the Buddha's teachings as closely as some, and instead formed their own ideologies? Like a cult, or offshoot sect?
Just genuinely curious about some things.