Changes

''[[Inga]]'' is the belief in cause and effect; simply put, that good acts have a beneficial effect on one’s life and evil acts a detrimental effect. The concept of Inga is better known in the west as Karma, and is one of the more misunderstood concepts of Buddhism in the Western world (in fact, the word Karma is now used almost exclusively in the West; usually only religious scholars use it in Asian countries these days). When one builds up a great deal of negative inga, this will affect what happens in the cycle of rebirth. Inga is more than simply fate or luck-it makes each individual directly responsible for their eventual fate.  

''[[Inga]]'' is the belief in cause and effect; simply put, that good acts have a beneficial effect on one’s life and evil acts a detrimental effect. The concept of Inga is better known in the west as Karma, and is one of the more misunderstood concepts of Buddhism in the Western world (in fact, the word Karma is now used almost exclusively in the West; usually only religious scholars use it in Asian countries these days). When one builds up a great deal of negative inga, this will affect what happens in the cycle of rebirth. Inga is more than simply fate or luck-it makes each individual directly responsible for their eventual fate.  

The cycle of rebirth and reincarnation is known as ''Rinne''. The ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to escape the cycle of Rinne through enlightenment (Bodai) and enter Nehan (better known in the West as Nirvana)-this is known as ''Gedatsu''. Some beings choose not to enter Nehan but rather remain behind in the Earthly realm and aid others achieve enlightenment: these beings are called ''[[Bosatsu]]'' (Bodhisattva).  Some of the better known Bosatsu in Japan include Jizô, [[Kannon]], and [[Miroku]]. The historical Buddha is known as Botsu.  

The cycle of rebirth and reincarnation is known as ''Rinne''. The ultimate goal of a Buddhist is to escape the cycle of Rinne through enlightenment (Bodai) and enter Nehan (better known in the West as Nirvana)-this is known as ''Gedatsu''. Some beings choose not to enter Nehan but rather remain behind in the Earthly realm and aid others achieve enlightenment: these beings are called ''[[Bosatsu]]'' (Bodhisattva).  Some of the better known Bosatsu in Japan include Jizô, [[Kannon]], and [[Miroku]]. The historical Buddha is known as [[Shaka]], while a generic term for Buddha(s) is Hotoke(-sama).  

Your actions during your lifetime have a direct impact on where you will be reborn in the Six Realms Of Desire (assuming you don’t achieve enlightenment during that time). The enlightened ones dwell in Nehan, but for the rest of us the Six Realms are as follows (listed from highest proximity to enlightenment to least):  

Your actions during your lifetime have a direct impact on where you will be reborn in the Six Realms Of Desire (assuming you don’t achieve enlightenment during that time). The enlightened ones dwell in Nehan, but for the rest of us the Six Realms are as follows (listed from highest proximity to enlightenment to least):  

Obviously, someone could exist in more states than just one.  The final state is that which does not exist in the previous five stages. This is the state of being human and is the state from which one can achieve enlightenment. Interestingly enough, this places the realm of humans above the realm of Tengoku.  

Obviously, someone could exist in more states than just one.  The final state is that which does not exist in the previous five stages. This is the state of being human and is the state from which one can achieve enlightenment. Interestingly enough, this places the realm of humans above the realm of Tengoku.  

After a rocky beginning and some trouble in the late 19th/early 20th century, Buddhism and [[Shinto]] have worked well together in Japan. Most temples have at least one Shrine on their grounds. The kami of Shinto are usually considered to be the Bosatsu of Buddhism (and vice versa, despite an attempt in the late 19th century to force them to be classified as one or the other) and it is not unusual for the same beings to have different names in either religion. The vast majority of Japanese claim to practice both. In many ways the practice of these religions has become more of a philosophy that has become ingrained into the daily life of Japanese rather than a religion based on regular services.  

After a rocky beginning and some trouble in the late 19th/early 20th century, Buddhism and [[Shinto]] have worked well together in Japan. Most temples have at least one Shrine on their grounds. The kami of Shinto are usually considered to be the Bosatsu of Buddhism (and vice versa, despite an attempt in the late 19th century to force them to be classified as one or the other) and it is not unusual for the same beings to have different names in either religion. The vast majority of Japanese claim to practice both. In many ways the practice of these religions has become more of a philosophy that has become ingrained into the daily life of Japanese rather than a religion based on regular services.

 

==Warrior Monks==

==Warrior Monks==