I want to believe more in Buddhism

　I have no experience studying abroad, so I don't know, but it seems that many overseas people ask about the religion they believe in when they first meet and introduce themselves. This seems to be because you can understand trends in the other person's way of thinking depending on the religion they believe in. And it seems that they will be very surprised when they answer “I have no religion,” as many Japanese people do at this time.
From such experiences, it seems that Japanese people who have studied abroad are interested in Buddhism (and Japanese culture and history), and they feel like learning.
My feeling is that younger people are more religious than older people. I imagine this is because the number of young people going abroad has increased.

Buddhism is not a religion that asks for or asks for anything, so in order to believe in Buddhism, I wonder if the first thing to do is abandon the feeling that “I want to believe in God.” Buddhism relies on the Buddha's teachings (supports the heart. It's about (making it the axis of way of thinking), isn't it?
It's a great relationship, so I think it would be a good idea to read the questions and answers on hasunoha. If you do that, I think you'll notice that there is a trend in the way Obo people answer (think). I think that is what the monks support their heart and is the axis of their way of thinking, that is, Buddhism.

I read it.

I was also often asked about the religion I believe in when I was abroad. That's because it's common sense of course to live abroad.
That's because it's about confirming that person's identity through religion. Or overseas, it's more important than nationality. Your awareness of this is a valuable asset.

It's so important that even just being aware of it makes sense to have gone abroad.

If you review Japanese religion again through such an opportunity, it will be a real asset for you as you live in the future. There's no doubt about that.

Also, if you look back again, you can see that Japan is actually a nostalgic and forgiving land.
There was political oppression, etc., but there is a historical history where any religion was affected.
Some of the 8 million gods are indigenous gods, and there are also gods that came in from overseas.
And Buddhism came in from abroad. It has various origins, circumstances, and inevitability.
Also, Shinto, Confucianism, Buddhism, etc. are inseparably mixed and continue to exist with each other.
Learning about it will also lead to getting to know yourself.

And you can have a stronger self and consciousness.

Also, if you don't mind, please get to know and learn about Buddhism.

Buddhism has 84 thousand Dharma, or many teachings.
To put it simply, Buddhism is a teaching that aims to make everyone completely happy, that is, to become a Buddha.
It is often said that there are various routes and ways to climb a mountain. There are various teachings for becoming a Buddha, and there are training methods and routes. That's why there are so many teachings that suit each individual.
In order to become a Buddha, there will be times when people have accumulated various skills and overcome strict ascetic practices, there will also be times when they will face themselves and the world while meditating earnestly, and there will also be times when they simply pray and be guided by the Buddha.

As such, I think the teachings of Buddhism are quite broad and profound.
So Japanese people are not unreligious.
Please don't worry.

Also, please take a fresh look at Japan for yourself. I sincerely pray that you will have a better identity, establish an independent self, and live with confidence overseas.

The characteristic of Buddhism is that there are no fundamental scriptures such as the Quran or the Bible. There are a huge number of scriptures, but rather than feeling like the Quran or the Bible, it's more like a research paper at an academic society saying “the Buddha's true intention should have been like this.”
Also, there are so many ways to enter faith that it is said that “there are 84,000 gates.”

Among them, the fact that “when I looked up the teachings of Buddhism, I felt that the teachings of Buddhism were somehow saved” may be a compatible way for you.

> If you explain a lot
As far as that is concerned
He's not a person who has laws
Listening to the law
least
If I do this to myself
Neglect the law
Because Sezaru Ga
With someone who has the law
That should be done
(Faku Sutra, No. 259)

Just because I know so many teachings
That alone does not mean that they are good Buddhists.
even if I rarely listen to teachings
If you practice it with your body,
You are a true Buddhist who values your teachings.

Listening to teachings is called listening (monpo).
Putting it into practice is called shoujin (shoujin).
Doing that means believing in Buddhism.

There are so many things written by Buddhist nerds on the internet with ridiculous interpretations. It's enough to intend to go through anything that the monk didn't write. I also recommend reading hasunoha first.

Parinko-sama

This is Kawaguchi Hidetoshi. This is a humble answer to the question.

In order to believe, the first step is to doubt whether it is true or not.

As often stated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his puja, “We should not accept the teacher's teachings with just respect, and we should also accept the teacher's teachings in such a way that goldsmiths carefully examine whether the money they handle is real or fake by burning, cutting, and polishing that money,” while firmly verifying each teaching critically, rationally, and logically It will be.

I believe that by verifying until you are satisfied, your faith will also become stronger.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho