2 years ago I met some random Japanese dude on the street. Was chill and wanted to get to know about foreign and European cultures, kept praising me how well I spoke and read Japanese and wanted to be friends and exchange Line.
Sure cool.
Wanted to hang out one day which was alright. What I didn’t know is that he and his friend wanted to teach me about Japanese culture, specifically Buddhism. And take me to a shrine.
Asked me for my name, birthday, phone number and address which would be used for praying. Told me he would delete the info right away (yeah right) only gave him a fake number and fake address because it was kinda suspicious giving out such info to strangers.
In the middle of talking about interests and hobbies, they asked me about the religion on my country which I said was mainly Christianity and I was raised in a Christian household. they really were ”that’s cool, but you should really try Buddhism! It will make you happy!”
And they really told me they have other foreigners as well (who they probably recruited the same way by trying to befriend them because they seem cool or whatever”
Sure it was a valuable experience. And I’m always keen on learning more about Japanese culture. But I honestly don’t have the time, dedication or interest in having a religious lifestyle. I’m a frikkin student with shitton of homework and part time job.
After it all was over I got the praying book and a pearl amulet to pracice at home. I kept getting messages if I have been practicing chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo morning and evening and it’s just… ehhh… no.
2 years later… Now, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED.
I said I was busy and all but seemed cool to meet at around 22.00. Thought we were going to talk and drink or something but they really called some poor dude and asked if they could come to his house and pray in front of his shrine at around 23:00.
From now if someone who seems cool and wants to befriend me just because I look like a cool gaijin, I will seriously ask them if they are recruiting people for religious practices.
Worst of all we live in the same small town in Saitama and I’m trying to think of any excuses if I bump into them again.
Has any of you been approached by someone who wants to get to know you and be friends but on the second meeting they suggest to take you to a shrine to pray?
I suppose gaijins who are interested in Japanese culture are easy targets.
14 comments
did they talk about Mt Fuji? cos that’s a legit cult.
Sounds like Kenshōkai. They are infamous for that kind of shit. Glad you didn’t fall into their trap.
Bazinga! You were kenshokaid!
How did you let this happen to you twice?
Something similar happened to me in my first year in Japan. I was on my way to meet my friends who came to visit Japan from my country but I a few hours to kill before meeting them. I went to Shibuya and at the Labi there I was browsing some video games. This guy then approaches me and asked what I was looking for. (Note: We spoke Japanese.) I said I was just browsing. He then said he likes games too and we started talking about video games and stuff. I thought I made a friend!
After a while he asked me if I wanted to grab dinner. Since I still had some time and was planning to get dinner anyway, I was like “Okay, let’s go to Gusto.” This was where I discovered that he’s interested in recruiting me into whatever religion that he’s following. While waiting for our food he started asking me if I was happy. I was like “Yeah pretty much”. And he followed it up with “But are you really happy?” He then started talking about how his religion promises happiness and tonight they were having a gathering at a big park in Tachikawa.
He also showed some paper that had an article about their leader and when I wanted to take a photo of it so I could use Google translate, he stopped me and told me that I can’t take a photo of it. I then asked him about other religions if he taught they would bring happiness and this guy had the gall to say that other religions will never bring happiness as the one that he’s following.
When my food came, I quickly ate my meal and then told him that I had to go. He was pretty adamant that I should go to Tachikawa with him and he even asked me why I wouldn’t go. I said I had go meet my friends and he was like “Oh! You should bring them too!”
I then just glared at him before smiling and saying “Sayonara.” And walked away.
Now I’m more careful although late last year I had Jehova Witnesses knocking on my door. They came several times and when I told the old lady that I will stay with my religion (I’m actually more agnostic but I ain’t gonna give them that leeway. I just wanted her to stop coming to my place!), she was like “Zannen desu ne/Oh…that’s too bad.”
The skip to 2 years later was a bit confusing……
Japan has a lot of cults. Not terribly uncommon. Also a lot of religious groups do this. The Christian group I went to in college taught us how to make friends with the purpose of converting them to Christianity. Kids who successfully did this were highly praised. I found it rather uncomfortable (and ended up leaving).
At this point I assume any stranger who approaches me is after either my money or my immortal soul. If you’re not interested just shut it down, no excuses needed. If he comes up to you put your hand up in a *stop* motion and keep walking. Don’t worry about *being polite* with people who are preying on you.
Real Buddhists don’t recruit. Because the source of truth is irrelevant to them.
That’s cult recruitment. Just block and ignore.
I met on of these guys too. Be careful and keep distance. Heard too many stories of them becoming agressive/ stalker and it’s not like cults are known for the ethical way they treat their (potential) members. If you bump into them again tell them you have diarrhea and you need to run off to the toilet.
Shines are Shinto. Temples are Buddhist. Evangelical Buddhism is new to me, but proceed with caution.
Well, devil’s advocate would say they ARE showing you a cultural side of Japan many foreigners don’t get to see.
But yeah. You don’t need any excuses. Just block them, and if you see them, tell them quite firmly that their Buddhism creeps you out. It does NOT make you happy. And give them the cut direct if they still are annoying you.
Then go look for a club or activity that you would enjoy, if you have that hole in your life.
There’s was this dude probably 40-50 yo, spoke like a new Yorker. Asked him where he’s from and voila born and raised in new York, but is Japanese. Dude acted like a stock seller, handed a card and told me to read it something like (nammihoyo). Turns out he’s making people convert into buddhism. I don’t mind people sharing about their religion, but these interactions are interesting to me as this doesn’t happen a lot back home.