Question

What does the British writer Lord Redesdale have to say about Japanese Buddhist beliefs and rituals? Read the passage below. Then use the

questions beside it to help focus your response.
from Tales of Old Japan
Lord Redesdale
It is no easy task to be a good Buddhist, for the gods are not easily
satisfied Prayer and fasting, mortification of the flesh, abstinence from
wine, from women, and from favourite dishes, are the only passports to
rising in office, prosperity in trade, recovery from sickness, or a happy
marriage with a beloved máiden. Nor will mere faith without works be
efficient. A votive tablet of proportionate value to the favour prayed for, or a
sum of money for the repairs of the shrine or temple, is necessary to win
the favour of the gods. Poorer persons will cut off the queue of their hair
and offer that up, and at Horinouchi, a temple in great renown some eight
or nine miles from Yedo, there is a rope about two inches and a half in
diameter and about six fathoms long, entirely made of human hair so
given to the gods; it lies coiled up, dirty, moth-eaten, and uncared for, at
one end of a long shed full of tablets and pictures, by the side of a rude.
native fire-engine. The taking of life being displeasing to Buddha, outside
many of the temples old women and children earn a livelihood by selling
sparrows, small eels, carp, and tortoises, which the worshipper sets free in
honour of the deity.
What important principles of
Buddhism does Lord Redesdale
describe?
I need an AI

Answer 1

Lord Redesdale describes several important Buddhism principles in the passage:

Prayer and fasting: Lord Redesdale mentions that Buddhism's gods are not easily satisfied, and individuals are required to engage in prayer and fasting to gain their favor.

Mortification of the flesh: Lord Redesdale mentions the practice of mortifying the flesh, which refers to self-discipline and self-denial, such as abstaining from certain indulgences like wine, women, and favorite dishes.

Works and offerings: Lord Redesdale emphasizes that mere faith without works is not sufficient in Buddhism. Along with prayer and fasting, individuals are expected to make offerings to the gods. These offerings include votive tablets or monetary contributions for shrine or temple repairs.

Non-violence: Lord Redesdale mentions that Buddha dislikes life taking. Outside many temples, people sell small animals like sparrows, eels, carp, and tortoises. These animals are then released by worshippers as an act of honoring the deity and practicing non-violence.

These principles highlight the importance of devotion, self-discipline, acts of kindness, and non-violence within Lord Redesdale's Buddhist beliefs and rituals.