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Hinduism and Shinto-Buddhist fusion practices have a shared share a legacy
India and Japan have deep rooted spiritual and mythological connections. Both the countries see parallels in their religions with striking similarities in divine representation, symbolism and attributes.
The spiritual and mythological kinship between India and Japan showcases how divine archetypes evolve across cultures yet retain core symbolic meanings. Buddhism moved east wards from India to China, Korea and Japan becoming one of the most practiced religions in the area. The Japanese adaptation of Hindu gods and goddesses through Buddhism reflects a beautiful example of religious amalgamation.
Let’s take a deeper look into parallels between Indian (Hinduism) and Japanese (Shinto-Buddhist) practices.
Key Similarities Between Indian and Japanese Deities
| Hindu Deity | Japanese Equivalent | Similar Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge, music, arts) | Benzaiten (Benten) | Knowledge, music, water |
| Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth, fortune) | Kichijōten | Beauty, prosperity, grace |
| Vishnu (Preserver of the Universe) | Birushana (Vairocana Buddha) | Preservation, cosmic order |
| Shiva (Destroyer, ascetic god) | Daikokuten (originally Mahākāla) | Destruction, protection, abundance |
| Ganesha (Remover of obstacles) | Kangiten (Shōten) | Wisdom, remover of obstacles |
| Indra (King of Devas, god of thunder) | Taishakuten | Warrior god, god of lightning and thunder, protector of Dharma |
| Yama (God of death and justice) | Enma (Enma-ō) | Judge of the dead |
Origin of Goddess Benzaiten is from Hindu Goddess Sawaswati. Both Saraswati and Benten are worshipped as a goddess of eloquence, music, fine arts and learning. Like Saraswati, Benten is often shown playing a string instrument (Biwa in Japan, Veena in India). Both are linked with water bodies. Benten is also called Myōonten, which means ‘goddess of pleasing sounds’ while Goddess Saraswati is synonymous with music and fine arts.
Kichijōten originated from Goddess Lakshmi in Hinduism and is revered for bringing beauty and good fortune. She is often depicted holding a lotus and surrounded by light.
Lord Vishu is the preserver and the operator of the cosmic order in Hinduism. Vairocana is the cosmic Buddha and parallels with Vishnu in sustaining the universe and cosmic balance in the Shingon Buddhist pantheon.
Lord Shiva in India is the destroyer and god of continuity. In India he is still referred to as Mahakala. Mahakala is the fierce and warrior form of Shiva. Mahākāla in Japan was later softened to Daikokuten. He is also considered the god of wealth, fortune, destroyer of the evil and protector of the household. He brings about new beginnings and continuity by destroying the old.
Ganesha is a elephant headed deity in Hinduism who is worshipped for new beginnings, wisdom, success, fortune and harmony. Kangiten, derived directly from Ganesha is a two-elephant-headed deity representing male-female duality, also worshipped for success, fortune, and harmony.
Taishakuten is Japan’s version of Lord Indra, portrayed as a thunder deity and guardian of cosmic law. Both Indra and Taishakuten ride a white elephant.
Enma is the Japanese adaptation of Yamraj or Yama, ruling over the afterlife and judging souls based on karma. Both are often depicted holding a ledger of deeds.
Also read: India and Japan’s Cultural Confluence: Similarities in Culture, Traditions, and Religions
Common Symbolism and Iconography in Indian and Japanese Religions
| Symbol | Meaning in Hinduism |
|---|---|
| Lotus | Purity, Spiritual Awakening |
| Third Eye | Divine vision, Higher perception or pereception beyond ordinary sight. It is also associated with anger of the gods |
| Mudras (Hand gestures) | Symbolic gestures used in rituals and dance |
| Multiple Arms | Divine power and capability |
Shared Philosophical Ideas
| Theme | Hinduism | Japanese Spirituality |
|---|---|---|
| Dharma (Righteousness and Cosmic order) | Hindu Gods and Goddesses protect and uphold Dharma e.g. Vishnu or Ram Avatara | Buddhist-Shinto gods like Taishakuten, Fudō Myōō uphold law and balance |
| Rebirth and Karma | Yamraj or Yama is the lord of Karma. It is believed that a soul has rebirth, pain or fortune based on previous Karmic deeds | Lord Enma performs the same function in Japanese spirituality |
| Duality of compassion and wrath | Deities have both fierce and compassionate side e.g. Lord Shiva or Goddess Durga | Similar duality in Myōō (Wisdom Kings) like Aizen and Fudō |
Indian and Japanese Worship Practices
| Practices | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shrines and Temples | In both India and Japan, temples house multiple deities. In Japan, some Buddhist temples still have Indian-origin deities (Benzaiten shrines, Kangiten altars). |
| Offerings and Rituals | Similar forms of worship like incense burning, chanting of mantras (shingon), and ritual offerings are practiced. |
| Festivals | Some Japanese festivals (like Benzaiten’s festival in Enoshima) resemble Indian rituals in honoring goddess Saraswati by celebrating Basant Panchami. |
