ArticleKey #24: The Father Figure

There are many ways to summarize human history. Long lists of rulers and events, and somewhat shorter lists of prominent personalities and breakthrough discoveries is one such option - yet, considering that brevity isn't only the soul of wit but also the sister of Talent, one liners might be a better choice. Optimists could say that “history of humanity is a history of technological progress, while pessimists would rather go for ”history of wars and violence". That leaves realists who are likely to conclude that “human history is a history of beliefs”, because it's our beliefs that make us shoot (at) each other or shoot for the stars. Those beliefs are sometimes incorrectly referred to as “religion”.

Humans created gods because they were facing the Great Unknown, and they were scared and confused. They needed helpers and protectors, and many protectors are better than just one - that's how polytheism was born. It had acquitted itself quite well over centuries of primeval and ancient history, while inspiring literature and arts, and occasionally drawing a laugh or two. It all changed when the “poly” part in “polytheism” was displaced by “mono”: the laughter was gone, driven away by “fear of God” - a concept that completely defeated the purpose of having created gods, to start with. Houses of God followed suit, as both churches and mosques were often quite magnificent - and their very grandeur emphasized the smallness and insignificance of those who visited them. Japan's biggest and most important spiritual achievement (and wonder!) is that it managed to dodge the trend and prevent its spiritual beliefs from being reduced to “faith”. 

What sets personal beliefs apart from rigid faith, is implied communication - be it occasional good-natured irreverence or a routine bow-clap-bow ceremony While dealing with deities, humans can be naughty, naive, sly (sometimes naive and sly, at the same time), but mostly respectful and almost always loving - and if you think about it, that's exactly how preschoolers behave! Offering a deity a small coin, bowing, then clapping to get its attention isn't that different from saying “I love you, Daddy” just before reaching for a cookie jar, proclaiming to be a “good boy”, or throwing a crying fit - respectively. Unlike monotheistic gods, whatever their names may be, Lord Buddha and a host of kamis can be reasoned with or even manipulated. That doesn't prevent them from being powerful and wise, as well as kind - a dream father figure helping to create a welcoming family atmosphere. 

The red gates on the above picture is the most widespread and recognizable symbol of that atmosphere. They mark an entrance to a shrine, and every Japanese knows that, once through them, there will be peace, quiet and beauty of all kinds - from a cute humpy bridge

to a richly decorated main hall full of poise and dignity,

not to forget a variety of uniquely Japanese trees

It's easy to forget that one finds hirself in a shrine, not in yet another park - hence the unusual reminder bringing a smile to many visitors' lips