Islam / Japanese Cultural Exchange

[gattaccia]

Originally Posted by Snowdrop

@Gattacia : The figure of mandara isnt similar with Islam (One god and his prophets), in mandara painting there’s five Buddhas called Gochi Nyorai (Five Buddha of wisdom) It’s like Five God, other four Buddhas isnt the servant or messenger of the central Buddha. The mandala, is a graphic depiction of the spiritual universe and its myriad realms and deities.
In ages past, people worshipped statues made of wood and stone and beseeched them for help. They feared these statues, believing that they were watching them and would become angry whenever a person committed sin. Buddha is the Buddhist idol.
Buddha was silent about the existence or non-existence of God. Buddhism provided Dhamma or the 'impersonal law' in place of God. In Islam to beseeched statue and believe in it is a sin. Islam belief in one god, Allah SWT. He is One and the Only One. He is not two in one or three in one. This means that Islam rejects the idea of trinity or such a unity of Cod which implies more than one God in one.

Thank you for your comment. I wonder how did you learn all these things. I heard variety of stories from my grand mothers and "o-bou-san who is like a priest of the temple" about Budda and buddism. It is melted in Japanese life (I think).

[eemaan]

Hi! I don't know anything about Buddhist mandala, although my parents are both SGI buddhism followers.
Yes Gattaccia, all the prophets were contacted by God, sometimes through the angel Gabriel (Jibreel). We were never given an angel as a messenger, because the angels perfectly follow Gods comands, where as humans make errors and mistakes. God would not ask us to be like a being such as an angel as it is impossible for humans to be perfect like them. How can we follow the example of an angel as humans, it doesn't make sense, so God in His wisdom sent us with great human examples to follow.

In Islam there is so much wisdom, some of which can only be understood with faith. I say this first as for someone who is not Muslim, Islam can come across as unfair in some respects towards women, however with a deeper understanding of Islam we come to understand the wisdom of Gods laws, as I did (I am female too, and was not Muslim until 7 years ago so I know where you are coming from!)
Islam freed women and gave them a high status. At the time in Arabia, when Muhmmad became a prophet, the Arabs would bury female daughters alive as they wanted sons all the time! How dispicable! When Islam came this awful crime was ended.
Islam gave women rights to vote and own property where as in the UK in only the last 100 odd years was this possible for women! Islam gave women these rights over 1400 years ago!
In Islam men and women are equal, they differ in their roles and responsibilities. God tells us we are all equal, the only things that raises us in rank over one another is our piety.
Typical Islamic roles are what you might call 'traditional roles', where the man is the supporter of the family, while the woman is a homemaker taking care of the children. This does not mean the roles are exclusive, of course men help with the home and if necessary women can earn money also. In Islam a womans money is her own and can not be touched by her husband, but a woman can take what she needs of her husbands money! Ii nee!
I guess the issue of hijaab will come up soon so I'll start it now.
Why do Muslim women wear hijab?
The first answer is because God says so. Not our husbands or fathers or brothers. Muslim women wear hijaab because it is a command from God and therefore an act of worship. The reason God says in the Qur'an is so that women will not be harrassed by men. And if we look at some well known common sense facts this is certainly the case. If a woman is sexually harrassed in some way, it is most likely because she was 'displaying her goods' or acting in an unladylike manner. Honestly, I know, I foolishly used to wear clothing that 'asked for trouble' and then I would complain and say 'why is that guy whistling at me, he's so dirty'. Well I've grown up and come to realise well, if it's on display, someone will want to buy it no? And it's not because men are evil, it's just natural for a man to be aroused when he sees certain things. So if a woman shows herself off, she will no doubt attract some attention, wanted or unwanted. This is why in Islam a womans beauty is only for her husband, not for just any man to stare at her, this is what I think is a beautiful thing about hijaab. If people were more careful with the way they act around the opposite sex, you'd find there would be far fewer cases of adultery or rape. Why is it that the man in the office cheats on his wife? Because he has too many opportunities to be tempted, being alone in the office with a pretty girl, for whatever reason this is just a random example (as they all are) so in Islam we remove the temptation in order to protect the individual and then in turn the society. If the family unit is secure, then the community would in turn be secure.
I think Islam makes soo much sense, it does so much for the family unit and the society to make it harmonious.
Sorry if what I said hasn't made much sense!
Any questions welcome!

[noodle]

eemaan, wonderful explanation. I was gonna explain it myself but I thought I would wait to see if a female muslim was about.

[Joly]

Originally Posted by UNaruto1990

by the way, I really hope that someday Japan would be an Islamic country, because Islam has great systems for everything, like how to live and how to treat people, and how to punish criminals, unfortunatly Islamic systems aren't being applyed in MOST Islamic countries...

I'm curious as to what you think the benefit would be if Japan was an Islamic country. Having the world all Islamic won't solve its problems...even all-Muslim communities have problems with poverty, crime, conflict between different sects, etc. Also, Buddhism and Shinto coexist and blend together in Japan very peaceably...the Japanese are very religious in the sense that Buddhism and Shinto are an integral part of their national identity. To turn their backs on those traditions would be to turn their backs on their culture, history, ancestors, etc. And Islam is such a rich culture in itself, it could never coexist that way and would end up replacing other cultures. So, I don't think a major conversion is at all likely.

Originally Posted by gattaccia

And I felt --- mmmm Islam means almost chiristianism. Am i wrong? Yes, maybe.
I don't understand what the difference between these 2 religions....

The most important difference is in Christianity there is a redeemer...a holy God who loves people so much, he personally paid the price for all the evil they do, so they can have a relationship with him. This love comes by faith and "not by works, that anyone should boast." In Islam it's up to the humansto make themselves right with God, rather than the other way around as it is in Christianity.

In other comments comparing Islam to Christianity I'm noticing a lot of misconceptions about Christianity...and here is a Christian willing to dispel any myths, if people have questions. <--this smilie is so cute, he doesn't look sarcastic! I think he looks sweet.^^

[eemaan]

Hi Joly, please join in to dispel any misunderstandings about chritianity some of us may have. What comments were you referring to in your posts, you said there were some misconceptions?
As Muslims we believe is Jesus, but as a blessed messenger of God not Gods child. God says in the Qur'an that it is not befitting to the majesty of Allah that He should beget a son.
I personally find it contradictary to the definition of God that God should have a child, that if Jesus was God, did God die? God can't die, he's God afterall right? Also Jesus used to pray, to himself? I'm sure you will have an explanation for me. Is that off topic, maybe someone should start another thread?

[UNaruto1990]

Originally Posted by gattaccia

But why do you like japan?

1) Japan is beautiful.
2) Japanese people are really hard working.
3) Japanese products are amongst the best in the world.
4) They have high levels of respect, I like respect .
5) Actually I have so many reasons that I can't remember them all, I am just so attached to this country .

Originally Posted by Joly

I'm curious as to what you think the benefit would be if Japan was an Islamic country.

Japan would even be a better country if it was Islamic, even economically it would be better, to explain it would be so hard for me, but as a brief you should know that Islam has it's own systems for everything, and those systems are from God himself so they are much better than the current systems in the world.

Originally Posted by Joly

Having the world all Islamic won't solve its problems...even all-Muslim communities have problems with poverty, crime, conflict between different sects, etc.

Those communities you're talking about are NOT Islamic communities, those are Arabian communities, and as I stated before, Islam is not being applied by most Arabian countries, even if they say they are Islamic, they are not, you can read history and know how was the Islamic community at the times of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

Originally Posted by Joly

Also, Buddhism and Shinto coexist and blend together in Japan very peaceably...the Japanese are very religious in the sense that Buddhism and Shinto are an integral part of their national identity. To turn their backs on those traditions would be to turn their backs on their culture, history, ancestors, etc. And Islam is such a rich culture in itself, it could never coexist that way and would end up replacing other cultures. So, I don't think a major conversion is at all likely.

If Japan were to be Islamic, they should forget about Buddhism and Shinto, Islam should be blended with every day's life, because if it wasn't blended it wouldn't be useful at all, as for traditions and cultures, they would stay the same UNLESS they oppose Islamic teachings and rules, their history and ancestors won't change a bit, I mean arabs once prayed to solid statues that can't see nor move nor talk, they are our ancestors and our history afterall right?

All in all, changing to the better can't be stopped by culture or traditions or whatsoever, if you're saying that they can't change because of their culture then you are so wrong, in fact many Japanese are becoming Muslims (although they are few compared to the population of Japan), didn't they have cuture or history? they have ones but they saw that Islam is better, that's why they've changed. And by the way most Japanese people don't know about Islam. I hope I was quite clear .

[Joly]

Originally Posted by eemaan

What comments were you referring to in your posts, you said there were some misconceptions?

You've brought up the principle ones I noticed. First of all, I don't see how anybody can call Jesus a "blessed messenger". To do so flies in the face of everything he said about himself. Jesus did not say he was a prophet; he said he was God. So calling him a prophet is calling him a liar, and how can a liar be a prophet?

The idea of the Trinity is something of a paradox (not a contradiction!)--I'm not surprised it's misunderstood. God did not "beget" a child in the way you think...God is spirit, he doesn't have a body, etc. Rather, when giving us the Bible, God put the relationship he had with that person of himself in human terms of father/son, so we can begin to understand it.

God did not die in that he ceased to exist--Christians do not believe death = non-existence. We believe Jesus was fully human and fully God. So, he did die--his body was destroyed to the point where it shut down and his soul left his body. The best part is though, he put the toothpaste back in the tube and rose from the dead!^^

Jesus praying to himself...haha, something I hadn't thought of before. I think the answer to that one would be that, being fully man, Jesus could commune with God (himself, yes) the way humans do, through prayer.

Whew, this is going to be a long post.^^; Hope my explanations don't make things more confusing.

Originally Posted by UNaruto1990

Those communities you're talking about are NOT Islamic communities....you can read history and know how was the Islamic community at the times of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

I have, and they weren't much different. Full of oppressed people and tribal warfare...same sad stories that still happen today. Humans are humans, even Islam doesn't change that. If the world has yet to see the true benefits of Islam correctly carried out, it's shaky to assume it's possible.

Originally Posted by UNaruto1990

If Japan were to be Islamic, they should forget about Buddhism and Shinto, Islam should be blended with every day's life, because if it wasn't blended it wouldn't be useful at all, as for traditions and cultures, they would stay the same UNLESS they oppose Islamic teachings and rules.....

Ok, I'm not understanding this sentence, but it looks like you've contradicted yourself. First you say the Japanese have to forget everything, and then you say other beliefs can coexist as long as they don't conflict with Islam? Hm...converting because they think Islam is better. Well, the majority of Japanese are so proud of their culture, I still don't see a majority giving it up anytime soon.

[Gerlandox]

I think nor Islam nor Cristianity or any other religion will do god to japan.
They`r only manmade tools to chanit the mans potential and to make mankind a slave of a mentality.
I think anyman should search 4 the Divine within himself, no book can teach you that.
We see every day what in the world hapens... Fondamentalist Muslims Blow themself into 1001 pieces just to take as many lives as possible, because he belives that Allah the almighty will send him in paradise.(Bullshit)
Someone wouls say:That is not ISLAM.
I would say: Its just a mater of interpretation.
The same bullshit had the cristianity ages ago, I`d like to mention the burning of inocent "Witches" (as they just to call them) Inquisiton etc etc.
So people find the Divine within you and dont waste time with that kind of bullshit because is bullshit.
G.

[Gerlandox]

Originally Posted by Joly

Ok, I'm not understanding this sentence, but it looks like you've contradicted yourself. First you say the Japanese have to forget everything, and then you say other beliefs can coexist as long as they don't conflict with Islam? Hm...converting because they think Islam is better. Well, the majority of Japanese are so proud of their culture, I still don't see a majority giving it up anytime soon.

True I agree.
Gods in haven how do i hate these kind of conversation, how do i hate people trying to spread their religon.
To all those idiots who do this, Religion is to be accepted and not to be forced.
My people where pagans, the`v sufered the bullshit of cristianiti and 500 years the bullshit of the Islam only while people like these Fu*kers tried to spread their religion.WE DONT WANT IT,...
Now most of my people have thrown away every religion, But the fu*king 500 years of Islam dictature continues to echo through the world.
Its a pitty things like that exist and spread like a virus.
G.

[Joly]

^You seem to have a lot of bitterness concerning religion, Gerlandox, and I'm sorry your experiences have been negative. But it's unfair to judge the pure truths of the Christian faith by the few evil people who twist it to their own purposes. That's like condemning love after a failed marriage...bad things happen, yes, because humans are human, but I think there is still a lot of good in the world and in religion.