The question of rejecting old beliefs when one becomes a follower of Shinran is an important issue. It should be noted that while Shinran didn’t specifically require people to abandon former beliefs, there was an implicit rejection of superstitious beliefs and self-striving, self-power practices. In light of Amida’s vow, which embraces all beings and brings them to enlightenment, they’re simply irrelevant. Trust in Amida’s vow displaces trust in one’s own efforts and offers spiritual liberation in this world and the next.

Nevertheless, Shinran urged his followers to respect other beliefs. If they had business that involved attendance at Shinto (Japanese native religion) shrines, they might participate, following the well-known principle “when in Rome do as the Romans do.” However, one knows within oneself where the truth lies.

Also, there’s no need to condemn beliefs that one formerly held. Even though my family is deeply involved in the Methodist Church, we acknowledge that each person must find his or her own path to spiritual understanding and commitment. We must always put people first and respect their integrity, even when we don’t subscribe to their beliefs. Buddhism has traditionally been known as an accepting and tolerant faith. It never tried to destroy or restrict the faiths in the areas where it spread. In Japan, Buddhist teachers developed a theory that other expressions of religion, particularly the gods, were actually manifestations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas within that culture. The ancient native religion continued to exist even after Buddhism virtually became the state religion. Temples and shrines sat side by side. Buddhist flexibility and adaptability are things that western religion could well learn to adopt and apply.

Gassho,
Al