The Bushido Codex is a set of rules of life that were to ensure that the best members of society, guardians of honor and dignity, follow the true path. It has existed for more than a thousand years, but has not lost its value today.
Current and modern code of Bushido
The philosophy of the East does not attract the attention of the progressive part of our society. In the heyday of unprincipledness and selfishness, a market economy and competition, there is a longing for inner peace of mind, the desire to find support in life through firm, correct principles that can help not only an individual person, but the whole society. In this regard, the Bushido code is the most interesting. Despite the fact that it was created during the period of feudalism and met the demands of Japan of that historical period, its relevance is undoubted even today in the Land of the Rising Sun with its information technologies and progress. Of course, not all provisions are accepted by contemporaries, but the main essence remains the defining feature of their society.
Philosophical Foundations
The traditional medieval society in Japan was strictly structured. Each estate had certain rights and obligations formed by tradition and enshrined in state power. There are four categories of population. Peasants, merchants, artisans and the military aristocracy. It was for the latter that the Bushido Code was created. The path of the samurai (warrior in Japan) was determined by moral ethical categories that would provide support to the shogun, lord. Existing vassal relationships determined the presence of entire clans. At his head was the master’s house, smaller feudal lords swore allegiance to him, receiving estates from the owner of the land, and for this they served him faithfully until the end of his life. The Bushido Codex was based on the concept of duty as the defining category of Eastern philosophy as a whole, and in particular Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shintoism. The attitude towards death and life was formed under the influence of the ideas of reincarnation and karma, fidelity to duty and honor - with direct support to the category of Confucian "noble husband", respect for the ancestors and power of the emperor - based on the traditions of Shintoism.
Body and mind training
Western society is surprisingly pragmatic. The desire for comfort and getting rid of unnecessary suffering compels us to come up with new technical discoveries, medicines, but it does not give a person peace of mind or confidence in the future. The Bushido Samurai Code proclaims the unity of the three components that enable one to live and die with honor. Finding them requires intensive work on oneself, which itself negates the idea of comfort and lightness. For a warrior, body training is important. He must be strong, resilient, flexible, seasoned, which will give him advantages in battle. But all this means little without technology. It is she who, like a master carpenter, creates a delicate product from an unshaped club. Technique can always withstand force alone. But the most important element is spirit. It is the inner spiritual power that determines the true warrior, brave man, hero. He is not afraid of death, which means he is not limited in his courage and honor.
Noble man
The Bushido Code, of course, proclaims loyal relationships as the main virtue. But it should be noted that accents in the past, and even more so now, are placed a little differently. The main quality of a true warrior was the nobility, which was considered in following the voice of conscience and truth, justice. If the master’s order required the samurai to renounce the truth, to act against the internal understanding of virtue, it was his duty to dissuade the lord from a shameful act. If he failed, the true warrior could not afford to tarnish his honor with an unrighteous deed. But also to break the oath of allegiance also did not fit a noble man. The only way out was the ceremonial ritual of suicide, which allowed us to leave this world with dignity. Thus, the code of honor of the samurai - Bushido - demanded to follow justice and uphold it at the cost of life itself.
Attitude towards death
The central theme of the worldview of the Japanese nobleman was the attitude to life and death. It was based on the recognition by eastern philosophers of the inevitability of death and its adoption as a step towards a new, high-quality transition in a cycle of continuous rebirths. The Bushido Samurai Code prescribed spiritual and bodily practices aimed at daily reflection on the inevitable demise. This, on the one hand, was supposed to save us from the fear of death, on the other hand, it made us appreciate the time allotted to everyone. All idleness and incontinence were condemned and seen in the context of the temporality of human existence as stupidity, which would certainly come in the future. It is necessary to leave this world with honor, just as one must live: without fuss, thoughtfully, clearly. The lack of fear of death did not mean that they aspire to it and do not value life, just the opposite. But since it is destined to die, a real warrior will do it right. The Europeans, who happened to witness the Harakiri rite, were struck by the coolness and courage of the Japanese. This is the result of daily practice and a special philosophy in which a real man is raised from childhood. The only way to wash away the shame is to get the ceremonial knife and soak it with your own blood.
The Four Commandments of the Samurai
The Bushido Codex is life itself, so a true warrior knows exactly what to do in certain situations. But nevertheless, in the whole teaching, several basic commandments of the warrior can be distinguished. The first and foremost in social purpose is loyalty to its master. This is the motive of life and actions. Self-profit should never be above the interests of the master. The purpose of life is to be useful to the owner. The second postulate is perfection. On the way of the samurai, everyone had to strive for primacy, which consists in the righteousness of actions, honor and nobility. The following is attitude towards parents. The filial duty is sacred, it includes not only the usual care for our parents, but also the upholding of family honor. Each act can bring glory or dishonor to the whole house. Being a worthy son of your parents is the strongest motive for improving yourself and making the right choice in life. And another great commandment is the call to be compassionate and to help people. These basic principles determined the path of a warrior in Japan. They are now quite relevant in this country.
Written sources
The written code of laws as such does not have the Bushido Code. The quotes dotted with the Internet are not always related to ancient reality. Many of them are modern reworkings of eastern parables and wisdom in general, and Buddhist canons in particular. In ancient Japan, all these moral rules existed a priori, reproduced by society. Philosophers of the East believed that, having written down thoughts, we close them into a prison of words, and they lose their reality and vitality. The main thing is not words, but the meaning, time and place of ideas expressed, a visible example. Everything flows, everything is fluid, an attempt from dynamics to make statics is flawed for the main thing. But if nevertheless you have a desire to read the Bushido code, then most of all the benefits and truthful reflection of the teachings can be found in the book "The Collection of the Words of the Master Hagakure." It is a collection of sayings of the hermit samurai, which was recorded by his student at the beginning of the eighteenth century. By the way, Hakagure ordered him to burn the notes, but he disobeyed the teacher, and after the last he began to distribute copies of the book. So much for the code of honor. One way or another, but precisely because of this, we have a written source of the Bushido philosophy. Of particular interest are the teachings for young samurai, authored by Daydoji Yuzan. His works were created in the same period, that is, at the beginning of the XVIII century.
Hidden in foliage
Eleven books compose a collection of Hagakure sayings - "Hidden in Foliage". Its name is very symbolic, because truth is not displayed, but hidden. Conversations speak of the value of duty, conscience, responsibility and justice. The life of a samurai is a preparation for a worthy death, which alone is sincerity in our feigned world. The author clearly draws a distinction between valiant and faithful service to the master and service, servility. A samurai footman is one who has lost his conscience and honor. Vassal relationships should be filled with dignity on one side and the other. All life is built in a relationship, so the warrior shows goodness to others, especially to children and his wife, appreciating her loyalty and devotion to her husband just as the master appreciates himself. The way of the samurai is direct, there is no place for even a little lie, laziness, betrayal or cowardice. Willingness to quickly make a decision is valued more than long thoughts and philosophizing, which will inevitably lead away from the right choice.
