We be bloggin'

Hey all, welcome back to Hotsui Matsuri, it’s our last and final day so we figured we talk a little bit about the funny and ironic use of Good and Bad fortune in anime and Japanese media. One of the basics to this push and pull knowing a few basic facts about Buddhism and its karma.

What are the 12 laws of karma?

The 12 laws of karma are the Great Law, the law of creation, the law of humility, the law of growth, the law of responsibility, the law of connection, the law of focus, the law of giving and hospitality, the law of here and now, the law of change, the law of patience and reward and the law of significance and inspiration. Each law serves as a roadmap for remaining mindful and selfless.

-Daily Dish

This means, when someone goes against these laws they are punished. But how do we explain someone with absolutely terrible fortune for no reason? Curses. But that’s not what this blog is about.

There are
three main classifications regarding views about humanity. These views include:

•Man’s destiny is controlled by God
•Man’s destiny is determined by coincidence
•Man’s destiny is decided by fate since the timeless past

If a person wants to transform his karma, he has the choice to change the path of his
life. Even if a person faces several impediments in the present life because of the karma from the past, embracing a positive karma in the present can lead people to live happy
lives.”

-Japanese Buddhism

Ignoring all the He/Man used to represent all of humanity, the point is that karma changes based on the choices that one person may make in their current life.

Here are two case studies:

1. Izumi from Shikimori is not just a cutie

Izumi didn’t do anything wrong, he was just born with terrible luck. But because of his unfortune, Shikimori’s great reflexes keeps him safe. In a way, they even each other out and while they are a couple they are also the happiest together. Even their personalities is in balance, from timid to brave, introverted to extroverted. Even how people see them, Prince to Damsel, popular to unpopular. It’s your basic opposites attract story that is actually just karma? You tell me.

2. Keichi from Oh!/Ah! My Goddess

This is about a man who woke up on the wrong side of the bed allowing the star of misfortune to smile upon him. He finds himself misdialing a number on his phone and got the Goddess helpline instead. This is a good example of Cosmic Karma where Keiichi has the choice to change his present life for a positive outcome by embracing change. In a lot of ways, Keiichi had problems appreciating what was right in front of him while being obsessed with the things he couldn’t have. Once he start paying more attention to himself and the people who are there for him his fortune changed.

Anyways, I’ll leave you with this food for thought. If you are coming across this post for the first time and want more feel free, to check out our other Nihongo Legends and Hotsui Matsuri posts!

AishiteLOVEru~

Star