Tag Archives: Buddhism

Life In Japan: Christmas Season . . . Osaka

Posted on December 29, 2024 by johnrachel

Japan does Christmas in style. This year we went to Osaka and two floors of the huge Hankyu Department Store were Christmas themed. There was every holiday gift item from all over the world there. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Kogenji Temple

Posted on November 25, 2022 by johnrachel

Going to a shrine or temple for me now is one of life’s simple pleasures. So last weekend, we went to Kogenji Temple in nearby Tamba. It’s not a particularly fancy or spectacular temple but it’s very popular this time of year for it’s maple trees. (This article has some harsh things to say about Christianity and Catholicism. If you’re not up for it, don’t read it.) Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Buddhism is fun!

Posted on November 30, 2021 by John Rachel

Okay … the title is hyperbole. No religion is actually fun. Most seem preoccupied with scary demons, suffering, sacrifice, gnashing, weeping, incantations, uncomfortable positions, and men dressed in funny clothes. But at least some Buddhists have a sense of humor! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Shrines and Temples

Posted on February 18, 2019 by johnrachel

Houses of worship, i.e. temples and shrines, are everywhere here in Japan — even some Christian churches — but at a much more modest level of “everywhere” than the U.S. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Western Food

Posted on May 5, 2018 by johnrachel

Though my taste buds were born, raised, and trained in America, I love Japanese food! I really do. I now regularly eat many things I would have considered very special treats for very special occasions — sushi, tempura, edamame, teriyaki — and eat some things I never would have attempted before — octopus, squid, rice daily. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: New Years

Posted on January 30, 2018 by johnrachel

Oh yes, what a wild time we had bringing in the New Year. Fasten your seat belts and savor the events which surrounded the onset of 2018 for us here in Japan. Continue reading →

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A Simple Straight-Forward Message for a Complex Convoluted Time

Posted on December 30, 2017 by johnrachel

This is about “Happy New Year”, my holiday greeting card to the world, a song I wrote three years ago, performed by my lovely and extremely talented wife and myself, here in my home studio in Japan. I believe it offers a simple straightforward message for a complex convoluted time. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2015 by johnrachel

What a crazy idea! Suggesting that people can and should get along, that we should have peace in our lives and in the world at large. But that’s just the crazy kind of guy I am! Continue reading →

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