"The Peach Orchard"

When I watched “The Peach Orchard” on Thursday, I did not understand how this clip was related to Shinto and because I knew very little about the religion, I was very confused about how I could relate the two.  I had to replay the movie several times and read over the Shinto notes in great detailed to try and draw a linkage between the two and luckily I did.    

            The little boy’s family in the clip was responsible for cutting down the peach orchards.  I viewed their action as a direct violation of one of the Shinto ethics.  One of the ethics states that, “Gravest sins are sins against sacred objects or places.”  So, by the little boy's family destroying the peach orchards, I took was a sin and was something that the kami was not pleased and because the kami was not pleased the quantity of peach orchards depleted. 

            Another part that I found where a form of Shinto was evident in the clip was when the people who looked like soldiers saw that the boy was sadden by what is family did and that it hurt him, they forgave him and performed a ritual which consisted of slow movements, bowing and clapping.  By them doing this ritual or rite they were communicating with the kami.  At the end, when the soldiers finished their ritual, peach orchards appeared in the fields and it brought joy to the little boy’s face to see how beautiful they were.  It also made him to a certain extent appreciate the peach orchards true beauty. 

Tao of Pooh

            This book was very interesting to say the least of.  It was a clever way how Huff used Winnie the Pooh and friends to get his point across about Taoism and Confucianism.  I found it funny how the author viewed Confucius followers as people who are confused and believe that everything should be follow by particular set of rules or strict guidelines. This is fine to believe in certain situation, however not everything is going to happen according those rules.  Sometimes the unexpected happens and when it do, how are you going to adapt or overcome the situation that appeared before you.  Taoism understands those variables and said that you are to make the best of what you are given. Huff states, “Tao doesn’t force or interfere with things, but lets them work in their own way, to produce results naturally.”  I completely agree with that concept.

            The American culture is one that is continuously busy and one that always want to expand.  In society, we always think about work and never take the time to properly rest or appreciate what we accomplish.  Huff gives an example of the 1^st Bisy Backsons being the Puritans.  He said the Puritans worked themselves to death and never established a rhythm of working and relaxation.  (pg. 100-101)  This is something that is still prevalent today, people will continue to work hard and achieve what there goals are no matter what has to be sacrificed. 

            Taoism could be a solution to the problem that American culture faces, which is that we are always busy.  By accepting some of the Taoist beliefs, it can lead American society to one that works hard for what they strive for as well as one that know how to take break and set time aside for themselves without constantly being bothered or concerned about work.