When we talk about the spiritual and cultural foundations of Japan, one name that cannot be ignored is Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子).
He was not just a historical figure — he was a visionary philosopher, reformer, and moral leader whose ideas continue to influence Japanese values, society, and thought even today 🇯🇵✨
In this article, we explore the deep meaning of the Teachings of Prince Shōtoku, their historical roots, and why they are still relevant in modern Japan and the world.
- 🏯 Who Was Prince Shōtoku?
- 🌿 The Core Teaching: “Harmony Is to Be Valued” (和を以て貴しとなす)
- 📜 The Seventeen-Article Constitution: Japan’s Moral Blueprint
- ☯️ Buddhist Influence in Prince Shōtoku’s Teachings
- 🌏 Why Prince Shōtoku’s Teachings Are Still Relevant Today
- 📚 Prince Shōtoku in Japanese Education
- 🗝️ The Spiritual Legacy of Prince Shōtoku in Japan
- 🌟 Final Thoughts: Why the Teachings of Prince Shōtoku Matter 🌏🇯🇵
🏯 Who Was Prince Shōtoku?
Prince Shōtoku (574–622) was a statesman, regent, and intellectual leader during Japan’s Asuka Period.
He is best known for:
- Promoting Buddhism in Japan ☸️
- Establishing Japan’s early political system
- Writing the famous Seventeen-Article Constitution 📜
But above all, he laid the moral and philosophical foundations of Japan.
🌿 The Core Teaching: “Harmony Is to Be Valued” (和を以て貴しとなす)
The most famous line from Prince Shōtoku’s constitution is:
“Harmony should be valued.”
In Japanese:
和を以て貴しとなす (Wa wo motte tōtoshi to nasu)
This idea of harmony (和 / wa) became one of the most important principles in Japanese culture.
🌸 What does this mean?
It teaches that:
✅ Social harmony is more important than personal ego
✅ Cooperation is better than conflict
✅ Respect and balance create strong communities
✅ A peaceful society begins with inner harmony
This concept still influences:
- Japanese business culture
- School education 📚
- Interpersonal communication
- Politics and social behavior
📜 The Seventeen-Article Constitution: Japan’s Moral Blueprint
Written in 604 AD, Prince Shōtoku’s Seventeen-Article Constitution was not a legal code like modern constitutions — it was more a moral and ethical guideline for leaders.
🌱 The idea I like in the Constitution is as follows:
What is precious is that hearts become gentle and people work together in harmony. Do not oppose others without reason. This attitude must be the fundamental one. However, people each cling to their own factions, and few are able to see the situation from a broad perspective. Therefore, they disobey their ruler or their father, or they come into conflict with their neighbors. If, however, those above and below can soften their hearts and discuss matters in a harmonious and friendly way, then things will follow reason, and nothing will be impossible to accomplish.
Wikipedia:十七条憲法書き下し文・現代語訳
Sincerity is the foundation of the Way of humanity. In all matters, act with a sincere heart. Success and failure, good and evil, all depend upon the presence or absence of sincerity. If people deal with one another in sincerity, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. Without sincerity, all things will surely fail.
Isn’t this the kind of thinking most needed in modern society?🍃
☯️ Buddhist Influence in Prince Shōtoku’s Teachings
Prince Shōtoku introduced and supported Buddhism as a spiritual foundation for Japan.
His vision:
- Buddhism as a moral guide, not just a religion
- Encouraging compassion and wisdom
- Creating balance between spiritual life and political leadership
Many of Japan’s oldest temples, such as Hōryū-ji (a World Heritage Site), are linked to his legacy 🏯✨
※I do not adhere to any particular religion.
🌏 Why Prince Shōtoku’s Teachings Are Still Relevant Today
In modern society, his ideas offer powerful lessons for global issues:
🌍 In politics — leadership through ethics
🤝 In business — harmony in teamwork
🧘 In mental health — inner balance & humility
💡 In education — moral discipline & respect
His teachings foreshadowed modern ideas of:
- Mindfulness
- Ethical leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Social responsibility
There is also a legend that Prince Shōtoku could listen to ten people speak simultaneously while giving each individual precise advice, demonstrating his extraordinary abilities.
📚 Prince Shōtoku in Japanese Education
Even today, Japanese students learn about him in history and ethics classes.
He is often introduced as:
- A model of leadership 👑
- A symbol of wisdom 🧠
- The founder of Japan’s moral system
The values he taught are indirectly embedded in:
- School rules
- Group dynamics
- Social behavior
- Modern corporate culture
🗝️ The Spiritual Legacy of Prince Shōtoku in Japan
Visiting places connected to his life offers a deeper experience:
📍 Hōryū-ji Temple (Nara) – One of the world’s oldest wooden buildings
📍 Shitennō-ji (Osaka) – Japan’s first officially built Buddhist temple
📍 Tachibana-dera (Nara) – His birthplace temple
Walking in these places, many visitors feel the quiet presence of his philosophy even today.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Why the Teachings of Prince Shōtoku Matter 🌏🇯🇵
Prince Shōtoku didn’t just shape ancient Japan —
He shaped the Japanese mind and spirit.
In this world of division and conflict, filled with self-centeredness, there is much to learn from his message of harmony, humility, and moral leadership. 💫
The teachings of Prince Shōtoku are not only a piece of Japanese history —
They are a timeless guide for how humanity can live together in balance.
