Dr. Usui on Death and Dying

Dr. Usui on Death and Dying

Now let us progress on to the Shinto believer. I have never really met a Shinto who had any fear of death at all. The Shinto believer believes he or she simply becomes an ancestor or a Kami and no longer has to deal with the inconveniences of a body. One doesn’t need a house; any tree or stone or even fence post will serve for the night. Some Kami, who particularly like an area, will choose to abide there, with none of the inconveniences a human would have.

A Kami doesn’t get wet with rain, suffers from heat or cold, or toil for his food. His religious descendants graciously supply it. If they fail in this duty for some reason, the Kami has ways and means of reminding them of their duty. Thus, the Shinto does not fear death.

As I was walking in the park near my home a few days ago, I heard two elderly lady adherents of Shinto discussing their coming transition. They were really looking forward to it.

They were considering all the juicy bits of gossip and talk they would be able to overhear in their non-corporeal form. Also, one of the ladies felt that her grandson-in-law could probably do with a good scare supplied by a thorough haunting. I find this attitude delightful and healthy and needless to say, most amusing.

Now, let’s go to the Christians, those unfortunate souls. Whether Japanese or Western, the Christians believe that they only have one chance to make good, so to speak. To use one of their own expressions, if they do not walk the ’straight and narrow’, then they will be damned forever.

From what I understand, the Islamic peoples hold approximately the same belief. What a terrible fate, because I am certain if this is really the case, the Christian Heaven is vacant of occupancy and its Hell is like an overflowing sake cup, dripping its contents from rim to table. Why do I say this?

Christianity is so filled with so many ‘Thou shalt nots’ and ‘Thou shalts’ that nobody would be able to fulfill the giri entailed therein. So, having stumbled on the ’straight and narrow’ as any human being would, they are destined for eternal judgment and Hell.