God(s) and Buddha

When a foreign tourist in Kyoto asked, "What is the difference between kami (gods) and buddha?" I answered, "Kami are external entities, while Buddha resides within oneself." He said, "I'm surprised." My answer was unexpected.

Buddhism originated within the polytheistic culture of India and was influenced by the polytheistic traditions of China and Japan, developing within those contexts. Therefore, Buddhism does not negate gods, and Shinto shrines can be found within Japanese temples. Japanese Buddhism has coexisted with Shinto.

Buddhist temples and pagoda gates in Sri Lanka resemble Japanese Shinto torii gates. In Japan, torii gates have two horizontal bars, while in Sri Lanka, they have three. Interestingly, torii gates were originally gates of Buddhism, but at some point, they became gates of Shinto shrines.

Gods and Buddhas should coexist. It is said that Buddhism in India had its foundation in worshipping deities before the time of Buddha. Japanese Shinto also has various lineages, but shrines such as Tenmangu are based on the worship of deities.

翻訳: OpenAI ChatGPT

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