Did Buddhist (Jap) fighter pilots use suicide bombings (Kamikaze) against American Naval forces ?

Question

Were they the first to use this tactic ?

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Answer 1

It is very likely that many of the thousands of Kamikaze were Buddhist. Although Buddhism is an pacifistic philosophy, Imperial Japanese culture certainly played a roll in the views of almost all Japanese at this time.

It is interesting to note that most Kamikaze were collage educated, the largest group being students of the humanities. It fits the unique Japanese concept of heroism, to give ones life in just such a futile gesture.

For an interesting contrast, I recommend the story of the American pilots of VT-8 at the battle of Midway.

PS You might want to reconsider the use of the phasing "Jap". The war was terrible, but is long behind us now.

Answer 2

I believe if you research it you will find that most Japanese military at that time were Shinto, not Buddhist. Yes, there was a lot of desperation involved on the Japanese side by that time. All their experienced pilots had been killed - many kamikaze's had less than 10 hrs flight time. Many missed their targets simply because they were not well-trained pilots. the term kamikaze, or as has been posted 'divine wind,' is a reference to the Russo-Japanese war of 40 years earlier, when the Japanese fleet was victorious over the Russins due to an intervening storm, or divine wind, that brought victory. Their WW2 kamikaze's were perhaps the first true "suicide bombers," but at least their attacks were honorable, in time of war and against warships.

Answer 3

No, because the Japanese pilots in general were not Buddhist. They were Shinto.

And while Shinto may incorporate some Buddhist thinking, it is not a "sect" of Buddhism:

Buddhism first arrived in Japan from Korea and China during the 6th through 8th centuries CE. The two religions share a basic optimism about human nature, and for the world. Within Shinto, the Buddha was viewed as another "Kami".

Meanwhile, Buddhism in Japan regarded the Kami as being manifestations of various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Most weddings are performed by Shinto priests; funerals are performed by Buddhist priests.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/shinto.htm

Answer 4

Japanese pilots in WWII were Japanese first, warriors second and whatever religion they followed took a back seat to these nationalistic traits. Suicide is inherently NOT Buddhist. As already answered, very likely the largest percentage who were religious followed Shinto. Shinto has nothing to do with Buddhism, and is an ancient animistic tradition of spirit worship. See the wikepedia reference below.

Yes, the tactic was used. I very much doubt the Japanese were the first to use people as weapons in this fashion, as they have not been the last.

Answer 5

So I take it you're having fun with Buddhism yes? Party on. Realize we don't get offended like many other religions do. We see the causes and conditions that arise to cause people to do this, and if you think you're being blasphemous it isn't working because there's NOTHING to blaspheme in Buddhism. LOL

edit/addition: anybody who causes harm and suffering isn't really Buddhist... no matter WHAT they WANT to call themselves, so no, the Japanese, who you've just used a racial slur against and killed people weren't really Buddhist.

True Buddhism follows four truths, anything outside of that isn't Buddhism.

_()_

Answer 6

They were followers of Shinto and the code of Bushido rather than conventional Buddhists.

Answer 7

People want you to believe that "Shintos" aren't real Buddhists. That is like saying that Catholics aren't Christian.


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The Bushido code required a Japanese warrior to die for the Emperor rather than suffer the disgrace of defeat.

There is no doubt that the Samurai considered themselves to be good Buddhists, irregardless of what other Buddhists in other parts of the world might of thought about them.

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...Bushido is comprised of a system or standards of moral principles that became the soul of the Samurai, during the feudal periods of Japan. It developed over the centuries from the influences of Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinotism, and the expression of these affectations, had their medium in the visual and literary arts such as painting, poetry, and living the way of life (Bushido) they chose to take. Each of these gifts molded and shaped Bushido, as a moral standard of conduct to follow.

Influencing Bushido, Zen Buddhism lent to the Samurai a very Stoic disposition. This Stoicism was realized out of a genuine respect for life and also for death. Death, an inevitable eventuality of our own lives, is as much a part of nature as is life. It gives us an added level of thought and meaning to our existence. With the advent of death, there is the introduction of life. There are strong human emotions of anger, remorse, and detachment, etc., that are associated with death that complicate its understanding. However we are gifted by these very same feelings, that allow us to appreciate life and the things we enjoy and love. We most notably appreciate the things we take for granted once they are gone forever. The Samurai trust and faith in nature was because of the great admiration and respect for both life and death....

Answer 8

Many in Japan are not Buddhist, a Majority in fact. I'd submit that it is unlikely that they were Buddhist, more likely Shinto.

Answer 9

You do realize you used a racial slur in your question? As were mentioned they were shintos by and large, and probably not the first to use this tactic given thousands of years of human history.

Answer 10

Doesn't seem very Buddhist to me. A Buddhist would never do such a thing.