Buddhist -style: Thanks:; I've Had Enough of Christianity

On an evening stroll through downtown Niigata I meet こぞうくん。(Not Jizo-sama, but that's the idea.) Be-hatted Kozoukun is cute, but the inscription on the plaque is the point: "Place your palms together: Thank Buddha for family, friends, (indeed) all life." What to say? I suppose this: Christians would do well to open their minds to Buddhism. (Particularly American Christians, who are bent on denying aid to the unfortunate: as an American raised in the Presbyterian church I have the cred to criticize American Christian hypocrisy.) Why is Christianity so pathological? Well, the bible tells us of an angry, jealous, vengeful, psycho deity. (Have I left something out?) Parents would ground a child who exhibited such Yahweh-esque behavior- my wife and I certainly did. Even if you are a New Testament Christian, you have much to answer for: let's start with that fella Paul (would he had not traveled to Damascus- he is the origin of much Christian mischief). There are many good Christians, but the religion has been the source and justification for untold mischief, stupidity, and cruelty. Let's ditch Christianity. .

Visit a shrine or temple, pray for wealth, health, love, academic success... Why Japanese opt for Christianity I do not understand.

Lion Dogs

The komainu, 狛犬、are the mythical leonine creatures at the entrance or flanking the approach to a shrine. Typically, that on the left displays fangs bared and is known as 阿形 (agyou)、while its companion opposite, with maw closed, is called 吽形 (ungyou). The pair protect the shrine's sacred precincts from evil spirits. Deer, foxes, wolves, and fowl may also perform the function. The 狛犬 are pictured with カリン、or Chinese quince; as offerings? Karin are inedible, though the fruit is used to flavor liquor. The banners read 学問の神様. 菅原道真公（すがわらのみちざねこう)、name later changed to Tenjin-sama 天神様, has been revered as the god of scholarship since the Heian Period (794-1185). As the neighborhood is home to a primary school, three high schools (including Takahashi Rumiko's alma mater), and Niigata University's School of Medicine, 天満宮 (of which there are 12,000 in Japan), is most convenient for students sweating their exams and in need of academic inspiration and encouragement.