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Relevance "Bushido(o)" [boo-SHE-dough] was a hybrid code of ethics refined from both the deep honorable tradition of the Japanese warrior class and the spiritual wisdom of Buddhism and Confucianism. The application of THE BUSHIDO CODE had less to do with war, pride, power and conquest and more to do with a path to human refinement, and for some, enlightenment. The roots of Bushido are firmly planted in a very serious and structured approach to living rightly, even if that meant dying for the achievement of living by this code. This is why seppuku or harakiri (suicide by disembowelment) became an accepted practice in Japanese culture for hundreds of years. It was thought that maintaining the honor of oneself or the family was paramount to all else, including one's own life. In fact, it was considered noble to die in the defense of such honor, whether in battle or in shame. Times have certainly changed. However, the human struggle to remain on a path of integrity and honor still remains. The only difference in today's world is that far less people consume themselves with adhering to a way of life that is based on compassion, respect, honor, honesty, loyalty, righteousness and courage. Such a person in modern times would be considered a true rarity and would more often than not bring to mind superheroes and gods rather than everyday men and women merely trying to do the right thing. Today, virtue is the exception, whereas in feudal Japan, it was the rule. And let us not confuse terrorists and suicide bombers as passionate freedom fighters who are noble and righteous. If you look deep into their actions, then you'll realize that they behave out of complete disregard for others by selfishly canonizing themselves for their fanatical religious beliefs that have been manipulated by others to achieve a certain agenda. However, you can find parallels in almost any major religion as the twisted psychological profiles of such individuals are widely available and not worth any further discussion. Suffice to say that THE BUSHIDO CODE requires someone pure and unaffected by idealogies, obsessions and other mental fixations which could otherwise cloud the truth from being seen and regularly accessed. It seems that whenever anyone behaves with an unabashed or unwitting display of righteous qualities, he or she becomes an instant news story and is called a "hero" or "superhuman." The purpose and focus of sensationalizing such behavior is less to inspire people to behave similarly and more to spotlight the "unusual" qualties of such individuals. No connection is made between extraordinarily righteous behavior and the audience, wide-eyed and undoubtedly hoping to be inspired to be better than they are and strive for a higher purpose. Therefore, people go to churches, temples, mosques or simply meditate to get closer to the seat of goodness on which they arrived into this world, long before selfishness, insecurity, greed, fear and ego took over and clouded their view. However, religions, as helpful and uplifting as they can be, are regularly and conveniently manipulated for dishonest and malevolent purposes. Furthermore, religions can't approach a seed of true moral integrity without requiring a god for punishment or some reason or motivation to act rightly. Someone practicing Bushido acts with honesty, honor and compassion simply because it is right. THE BUSHIDO CODE does not contain laws attached to punishment, but rather simple reminders of the qualities all humans should aspire to possess and master. It is because of this general lack of basic moral foundation that the relevance of THE BUSHIDO CODE in today's world becomes only too apparent. The challenge and beauty of this approach to life is that there are no laws or religious implications governing this code. Choosing to live by a set of high principles will not only make one a better person, but will also garner one more respect and more often than not, bring good fortune by virtue of the fact that people are attracted to goodness and are more likely to help those for whom they have the most respect before anyone else. However, once we start practicing this code because we desire some outcome or reward for the adherance to this set of basic principles, then we have tainted our efforts and the righteous approach to life becomes an opportunistic facade--one not worth even pursuing. THE BUSHIDO CODE is invisible and only exists in thought and actions that align with its precepts. Similarly, it doesn't really exist. As much as it is a great idea, it is not one at all. There are no preset rewards or consequences if we choose to ignore or adhere to it. Furthermore, we cannot place too much emphasis on trying to define such a code. Its only relevance is to each individual who undertakes the application of its beautifully simple framework to help facilitate his or her evolution into a higher being. No rewards or punishment exist within the practice. There is no thought or recognition of how well we progress on the path of learning this code, nor is there any need to look back at the place from whence we came for any kind of comparison. The basic human principles contained within Bushido are in every one of us, from birth until death. We simply have to make a choice to live the way we know is right. Our choices will ultimately teach us whether we have made the right ones or not. THE BUSHIDO CODE helps to make the right choices very easy to distinguish and incorporate into daily life. One cannot help but wonder what the world would be like if more people lived instinctively by such a code. Were that the case, the author would certainly not feel a need to write any of this. However, he certainly hopes the reader has enjoyed reading these words, nonetheless. Always remember that you hold all the answers and were created to live a full life of peace, joy and harmony with every other being on this planet. Release your need or desire to control and change the world around you and you will improve the lens through which you see the world. A better view affords one the opportunity to focus on that which makes for a better life. Today is a new day and now is the only moment we have--the only one with which we need to be concerned. Yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is merely a dream not yet realized. Therefore, enjoy the path and every step you take, wherever that may lead you...for you will get there soon enough. If there is one thing you take from your perusal of this website then let it be this: True enlightenment ultimately arrives when we finally and lovingly allow our ego to die...and in its place, awaken our selfless (better) nature and apply ourselves to being of service by helping to alleviate the pain and suffering of others or by simply trying to make someone else's life better in some way. Finally, the author would like to clarify that he is not a sponsor of THE BUSHIDO CODE or any ideology attached to it. He merely recognizes that the CODE contains a valuable foundation and anchor, upon which any human being can build a joyful, harmonious and successful life...one that fosters interdependence, cooperation and kindness--qualities that are needed more than ever at this particular moment in time. May your path be filled with peace and prosperity...only you can truly make it so. Similarly, remember that life is actually very simple, but only if you allow it to be. Remember... Shane August December 1993   |
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