For the Japanese, the happiness of the people around him is his own. He is uncomfortable when everything is fine in his life, and other people suffer. Therefore, if you ask a Japanese about his affairs, he will always downplay his happiness and success.
Understanding happiness among the Japanese
The understanding of happiness among the Japanese differs from the understanding of it among other peoples of the world. As a result of the country's prolonged isolation, a culture that is difficult for foreigners to perceive has developed. Happiness for the Japanese people lies in duty, solidarity, mutual assistance, donation of their own well-being. The state of mind of the people around them is valued much higher than their own. Due to the peculiar thinking of the Japanese, reality and reality prevail over abstraction and abstractness. Therefore, happiness cannot be love and passion, it is illusory and short. The Japanese are happy when they do their duty, when they are impeccable in everything. However, they shun the feeling of true happiness and are afraid.
The influence on Japanese culture of the West leads to the fact that the Japanese begin to understand happiness as something material, monetary. They no longer care about society as a whole, but about their own success and prosperity. More and more emphasis is placed on your feelings.
factors that influenced the perception of happiness among the Japanese
The formation of the concept of happiness in Japan was influenced by Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism. Shinto is a primordially Japanese religion. A distinctive feature is that in Shinto there is no single or main deity who created and governs the world. All spirits and gods are the ancestors of the Japanese. And people who have died now also sooner or later become deities. Shintoism says that the ancient gods still live in every Japanese and influence life. This religion determines the spiritual development of the Japanese, although it does not have any moral rules. Shinto has formed such traits of the Japanese character as respect for parents and elders, a deep sense of identity and solidarity.
It is important for a Japanese to keep all his emotions to himself, to be true to his word. And do not forget that life will come to an end someday, do not commit evil deeds, so as not to receive retribution. Buddhism has formed in Japanese culture a focus on the inner world, a sense of responsibility not only for personal happiness, but also for the happiness of the people around. For the Japanese, life and suffering have become one and the same. Therefore, happiness is fleeting. Only one who gives up any desires and is engaged in self-improvement can become a happy person.
Confucianism brought to Japan respect for state laws, respect for the ruler and for elders. Thanks to the ideas of Confucius, the Japanese understand happiness as serving their parents, caring for them even after death, recognition of a superior person, reverent attitude to the laws of their country and family traditions.
