Source: Pioneers Media, June 2013
A Pioneers missionary in Japan writes:
There is a saying in Japanese which means, “We are all different, but all good in our own way.” This philosophy reveals a core attitude of religion in Japan.
Recently I was invited to join a local symposium as a representative of Christianity. I was to speak at a religious session along with a Buddhist priest and a Shinto priest. We shared a casual debate for an audience of 100 people.
As I interacted with these two priests, they reflected similar sentiments about the way the Japanese practice religion.
“I think Buddhism is like a recipe book: you play around with a recipe and create something” one said. “You decide what your soul wants to make. It is your own responsibility what you do with the ingredients.”
Part of the way through the discussion the Buddhist priest said, “I am afraid that about 80 percent of you are probably leaning toward Christianity!” The Shinto priest added, “I also thought he was convincing. It could be because I had had a lot to drink last night, but maybe I will become a believer too! I need to learn from him.”
At one point the Shinto priest expressed his view of the importance of religion: “I don’t think it is necessary to think too deeply about religion. For instance when you sit down to eat a meal, the main course is the rice. You have the side dishes. If you have pickles to go with the meal, it makes everything taste even better, doesn’t it? I think you should think of religion like the pickles. It makes life a little better. If you think of religion as more than that, it will become a burden to you.”
In response, I shared the reason why I came to Japan as a missionary – to share the Good News of a message that changed my life.
“He is so convincing in his speech,” the emcee said laughingly. “I thought the Buddhist would become a Christian!”
» See the June issue of Encounters Mission Journal for an interesting article about Buddhist understandings of conversion (Redcliffe College, PDF).