an beings are an integral part of nature and subject to its dictates. Buddhism came to Japan in the 6th century, which required that human beings submit to spiritual law or dharma. Japan also adopted Confucianism in the same century. Confucianism brought a whole new twist to the religious premises of Shintoism and Buddhism. While the former religions tended to be more ascetic and rooted in nature or the spiritual, Confucianism tended to be more practical and focused on social truths and interpersonal relations. Respect for tradition and one(s family, elders and social superiors were central principles in return for a reciprocal regard for one(s inferiors. Those who preserved social harmony were moralistic and justice stemmed from social harmony.
Confucian philosophy came to dominate Japanese culture. The extent of this domination can be seen in some of the common words of the Japanese language. (On( describes the intangible and vast debts which each individual owes to their benefactors, be they parents, employers or the nation. (Giri( des
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