Samurai Buddhism Legacy

Main Tenets of Samurai Buddhism: SUMMARY

Please visit FudoBuddha.jp & FudoShu.jp for more information.

1] Virya Paramita & Code of Bushido: or Heroism and Courage is the highest Paramita or virtue. It is MORE important than all other virtues. Life is full of challenges and battles, so FIRST cultivate heroism and toughness -- everything else comes thereafter. We thus follow the Code of Bushido where there is BOTH Heroism and compassion but heroism is FAR more important. When stateless lamas in exile and Western Buddhist hippies go on and on about compassion, they are being disingenuous. The Buddha teaches the middle way between compassion for others and standing up for what's right for oneself and one's own family, one's own country and one's own religion. The endless people-pleasing virtue signalling Kumbaya slop of most Buddhist teachers is like serving sugar without coffee and so Samurai Buddhism is realistic about operating in the real world with strength, courage and heroism -- unlike stateless lamas who have no jobs to go to or rent to pay or countries to protect.

2] The HEROIC WARRIOR prototype is the IDEAL. Buddhism was NOT founded by hippies or stateless Lamas but by WARRIORS. Ashoka, Menander, Shotoku, Kublai Khan, Wu Zetien and Tokugawa had the biggest impact on Buddhism and they were WARRIORS, NOT WIMPS. In the Lotus Sutra, Buddha equates the best devotee with the greatest warrior or General and so a Buddhist's job is not to grovel on the floor but to roar like a Lion. In all texts, Buddha's commandments are issued with a LION'S ROAR which shows dominance and alpha energy -- not fawning prostrations of hippies, stateless lamas, nihilists or pacifists.

3] Fudo Shomyo: We respect all Buddhist traditions but our focus is on Almighty Fudo Buddha who is the Almighty Lord of all Buddhas and the source of all creation and enlightenment. We chant complex mantras in Sanskrit and Japanese that we teach the initiated but the simplest version is Namu Dai Fudo Butsu which honors both Dainichi Buddha -- the Supreme Buddha of the Cosmos and in His warrior form Fudo Buddha (also referred to as Fudo-sama and Fudo Myoo). Please visit FudoBuddha.jp for more information.

4] FudoShin: When we meditate on Almighty Fudo Buddha, we become stoic and tough in our mindset instead of becoming chaotic and distracted when things don't turn out the way we want.

5] Genze Riyaku: We believe in the Prosperity Gospel of Buddha that those who honor Almighty Fudo Buddha can gain success in this life as well as prosperity and resources.

6] Shensō: We believe that honoring Fudo Buddha helps us become strong to achieve victory in life's battles. The Victory in Battle Temple Naritasan sees more pilgrims in the first week of the year that Mahabodhi Temple gets in the whole year!

7] Sokushin Jobutsu: We believe that all of our efforts in this lifetime can bring us enlightenment in this lifetime itself which is the highest purpose anyone can possible pursue. Its a far greater accomplishment than mere material success that will lose all currency upon death.

8] Gokaraku Ojo: We believe that those of us who may not qualify for Enlightenment in this lifetime can gain salvation in the Pure Land of Amida or the Tusita Heaven of Maitreya as Fudo Buddha has domain over both realms.

9] Real-world vs monastics: In the Vimalkirti Nirdesa Sutra, Buddha makes it clear that one does not need to be a monastic in a temple but can wear a suit and make an impact in the real world. Some of the greatest Buddhist saints like Kukai, Shinran and even Ambedkar are known for transforming society and making a difference in the real world instead of just virtue signalling in monasteries and temples. While we do wear kimonos at formal events where possible, we do NOT see monks as superior to laity and like Jodo Shinshu monks, we can wear suits as well. Furthermore, in ALL depictions from Gandhara onward, Bodhisattvas are always blinged out to the max and dressed up with jewels and so we too can dress up to show pride and power in our Asian heritage and culture . Asians are the most fashionable of all -- from BTS & Blackpink to the grandeur of the Tang, Yuan, Yamato and Tokugawa dynasties and this can reflect in our clothes and fashion as well.

10] Daily Practice: By edicts of Emperor Tenmu, we MUST keep a Buddhist altar or Butsudan where we honor Almighty Fudo, or Amida or Kannon or any of the Buddhist deities we connect with. We MUST chant the right mantras in the morning and night. And we MUST PROUDLY wear or carry with us at least 1 ojuzu or Buddhist mala or pendant or sacred item so that we always honor our Samurai Buddhist culture and heritage. We must PROUDLY call ourselves Buddhist and even specify Samurai Buddhism when asked. The "Western Buddhist" motto of "don't call yourself a Buddhist, let Dharma take care of itself" is Trojan Horse heresy that we Asian Buddhists reject. Asians today rule the world -- from Crazy Rich Asians to BTS & Blackpink -- and we are PROUD to be Buddhist and proud of our Asian heritage and culture.