Shinto blog- Peach orchard

The video that I had watched for this blog was the Peach orchard. When I saw this video I was not sure what to think of the video. It seemed confusing in the first part, and towards the end I wasn’t sure what was happening. I was unsure of what the figures in the white faces were and how the peach orchard came back for a second and then disappeared. When I read over the lecture, I understood the reason for the ritual in the forest. In this the ritual was to restore the peach orchard and to show its significance to the little boy. In this movie, the little boy was the cause for the kami to not visit their house because he had destroyed the peach orchard tree. The Kami is the strongest forces of the natural world. Not all of nature is kami, however only the powerful or amazing natures are kami, such as the Peach orchard tree.  When the boy’s family cut down the peach orchard tree, it forced the kami to leave the orchard and the boy’s family.  Kami are the central object of worship in the Shinto beliefs. After finding out that the boy was not part of this cause, and was only trying to stop his family cutting down the orchard, the kami performed a dance ritual in the field. The dance had very slow movements. Also they did some clapping in the dance. Clapping is seen as a way of communication to the kami. They had also played the drums, and did some bowing, during the performance, also seen as a rites tradition. I also learned that destroying anything sacred or meaningful that is part of the Shinto’s traditions is a sin. It made sense why the kami was angry at the little boy because it was a sin that he and his family committed.  Overall I thought the clip of the peach orchard was good, but if you did not have an understanding of the Shinto’s religion, then these clips would not make sense to you. 

Taoism Blog Response on the Tao of Pooh

I thought the Tao of Pooh was an excellent explanation of Taoism through the story of Winnie the Pooh. It was interesting to see how they used the characteristics of the characters to explain parts of Taoism. The book adds character and humor to the story which makes understanding Taoism fascinating.  I also liked how they put the perspective of Taoism through a children’s book made it easier for anyone to understand the culture, those who are not already familiar with it. The dialogue was easy to follow and the concepts were explained step by step. There were few concepts where parts of the information were scattered around in the book. That was the only part I did not like. For example page 6 of the book.  They talked about the views of a Taoist. Later in the book on page 25 they go into the viewpoints again.  In the book they refer to the person in Bisy Backsons. He is always active in some activity. On page 93 it says “the busy backsons is almost desperately active” his life consists of physical activities such as skydiving, tennis, jogging and more. This relates to the American culture of how America is always like busy Backsons. I always thought that America does things way to fast in life. Our culture seems more fast paces, which allows us to miss the simple things. On page 97 they see why our culture is like busy backsons, and it is because there is something somewhere that is not achieved. That we have to keeping moving in order to catch up with it.  Earlier in the book on page, Hoff talks about the uncarved block, or P’u. The principle of the uncarved block is to be said that “things in their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed”. (10) being simpleminded is the way to the solution to the problem of American culture and Americans as individuals. We are so much like the busy backsons, that we for the about the simplicity of life. If Americans put aside the arrogance, complexity and a few other things that get in the way, they will discover that “life is fun” (20). I think that the Taoist view of the uncarved block is a good solution. I definitely like the idea of the phrase “Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work, odd as that may appear to others at times.” (21). Simplicity leads to a spontaneous life.