hasunoha

Is playing with a character that imitates God a punishment?

Good evening. I'm sending you a message asking you to listen to my story.

[Overview]
In a game where characters with traditional Shinto and Buddha motifs appear, they have a serious psychological conflict with the act of attacking them and getting points.

[Specific situation]
I've attacked characters that personify “Ibuki Daimyojin” and “Three Treasures” in the game.

[Contents of the conflict]

Religious and spiritual fear: Strong fear of “cursing” due to blaspheming Shinto and Buddhism, or “falling into hell” after death.

Moral self-loathing: I feel dishonest and disgusted by my own self-preservation attitude of trying to escape by using the logic “because this is a game.”

[Purpose of consultation]
How should we interpret this state of sandwiched between “existential fear” and “aversion to self-escape,” and restore peace of mind?

4 Zen Responses

Thank you for your question.
Don't worry about it because you think it's a game.
But I think getting bothered is also an important feeling.
That's because there is such a sense of respect for Shinto and Buddhism.
You'd better not play games like that if possible.
That's because there are so many other games out there that I can't count.
Please look for games that are fun to play.

I think it's better to stop

I read it.
There are games like that, aren't there? You feel ashamed to attack characters that imitate gods and Buddhas in that game. I can understand very well that you feel that way.
I don't know exactly what that game is, but I think it's plausible that you feel that way.
After all, I think attacking characters that imitate gods and Buddhas is bad.
Even if that were the case with gods and Buddhas, I don't think they would care at all, but I think it's still unforgivable for those who believe in it, and I think it's about putting down one's self.
If you regret it like that, why don't you sincerely apologize to God or Buddha and repent? And I think it's good not to do that as much as possible.
I sincerely pray to God, Buddha, and your ancestors so that you can continue to sincerely and cherish God and Buddha and live a healthy life while being watched over by God, Buddha, and your ancestors every day. We wholeheartedly agree

Let's repent.

 Nice to meet you. Even though it's a game, attacking an opponent with that name... is something I want to avoid. So I think your sense of incongruity is very healthy. As my voice, above all else, I don't want you to hate that kind of person.
But in reality, I've already done it. Indeed, the power of games, or rather the worry, is huge, isn't it?
So what are we going to do now? It's not “it's good because it's a game,” and I recommend repentance (forgiveness) as a way to change this. One of the pains of today is that I don't have a “place to take” the bad work I've done.
We, the boy, work in the morning and read this every day. And he said, “I've read it, that's enough. It's not a “clean and forget it”. Why did they do something they had to repent of? I remember that properly. Then, they try to discipline themselves, saying, “If we get into the same situation again, let's avoid it this time.” I want you to know that the sutras are meant for that.

Repentance
All the misdeeds created in the past are all from a beginning of greed (Gashakushozou Akugokai Yumushi Tonjinchi)
Jushin Goshinosi no Tokosho Zetsu Sansai Kon Kai Sange

translation
The various misdeeds I have continued to create are all due to the afflictions of devouring (devouring), insanity (recklessness), and ignorance (ignorance) from far in the past. This all stems from my actions, words, and thoughts. I now repent of all of that.

stop handling it. They lament how stupid humans are.

There are games like that, aren't there? I think it's good to be familiar with a variety of things, or rather imagination, and get used to them through games. Speaking of which, great people in history have been parodied, and it has been made into romance games, and I have enjoyed it too. The historical background was also depicted, which was interesting.
I think it's “good” because I enjoyed it because it was wonderful, and I don't feel like enjoying something that is depicted violently as attacking.

How you receive these works is probably different, but if you feel “concerned” or “blasphemous,” stop handling them.
And if you feel afraid, you should treat it with care from now on.

If you think about the deep intentions of the gods and Buddhas, curses don't occur because of this, but they are probably lamenting how foolish humans are.