There is religion and there is universal spirituality! Religion meets the needs of the people and mutates accordingly. Spirituality is within all existence and our hope is to "turn the mind" until it recognizes the spirituality within ourselves. This often happens through "religion" as each of us needs a spiritual home.
Thus, the religious mutations are profound. The Teachings do not change but are expressed differently to connect with the listeners. In the 12th century, a major change took place in Japan: The introduction of the "householder priest". Until that time, there had been only monks and nuns. It was due to the father of our tradition (Shinran Shonin) that this particular opportunity took place. Buddhism became more inclusive and the "regular people" had access to the Dharma (as it had been during Shakyamuni Buddha's time 17 hundred years before!) with householder priests.
Think of how the changes in America have influenced Buddhism in just the past 100 years: We have Sunday Services! We have songs and Dharma messages (sermons). So, many changes have taken place over the centuries, just as in Judeo-Christian society. |
