Christ famously taught, “Love your enemies,” sealing Christianity’s legacy as the religion of love. Conversely, Buddhism offers the paradoxical wisdom to “refrain from loving.” This is because Buddhism views conventional love as an egoistic attachment—a desire that ultimately shackles the other person. We see the true nature of this possessive attachment when a lover cannot bear to see their partner grow close to anyone else.
What Christianity defines as unconditional love (agape) resonates deeply with the Buddhist concepts of compassion and benevolence. When Christianity reached Japan’s shores in the 16th century, the early converts displayed remarkable insight. To prevent the message from being misconstrued as mere earthly romance or attachment, they eschewed the word “love” and instead coined the phrase Deus no Gotaisetsu—”holding God most precious.”
Rooted in this very spirit, Japanese views on romance and marriage evolved to foster a profound, unconditional tenderness. This legacy of devotion was passed down like an unbroken thread from husband and wife to child and grandchild, quietly woven into the emotional fabric of the family.
As modern Japan grapples with a dwindling birthrate, an aging society, and growing isolation, we find ourselves at a crossroads where we must remember our roots. The time has come to look within and embrace once more the spirit of Deus no Gotaisetsu and the sacred benevolence of Shinto and Buddhism.
