‘Saraswati is the most revered deity in Japan, after the Buddha’: Filmmaker Benoy Behl

In an email interview with Indianexpress.com, Behl discusses some of the findings he has made on this subject.

Can you explain how did links between India and Japan develop historically?

Indian influences of Buddhism, Hindu deities, the Sanskrit language and culture came to Japan from the middle of the first millennium, along two routes. One was through China and Korea. The other important route was through the great sea-faring Hindu kingdom of Champa in present-day Vietnam.

Who are some of the Indian deities worshipped in Japan?

Saraswati is the most revered deity in Japan, after the Buddha. Others include Lakshmi, Ganesha, Indra, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Yama, Kamadeva, Varuna, Vayu and many others.

Kamadev in Meguru Ryusendi temple in Tokyo (Photo- Benoy K Behl)

Are Indian deities in Japan worshipped in the same form as in India? If not, how are they different?

The Indian deities are worshipped with essentially the same attributes, though there are some interesting and colourful modifications. As an instance, in Japan Ganesha is offered radishes which he is very fond of.

Do non-Hindus in Japan also worship Indian deities?

These are worshipped by the Buddhists of Japan. Never forget that in ancient India there were no divisions between Hinduism and Buddhism. Every single family in ancient India whose inscriptions have been found, had in it someone worshipping a Hindu deity and someone worshipping either Buddha or Mahavira. The earliest-known images of Lakshmi and Saraswati are from the Buddhist and Jaina stupas.

Shintoism, like Hinduism, is also considered to be a way of life. Is there a connection between the two religious practices?

This is a subject whose study I am presently taking up.