Polygamy is the practice where one person has more than one spouse at a time. It is also called polyandry when both men and women can be married to multiple partners at once. Historically, polygamy was practiced in many societies and cultures around the world. In Japan, it was an accepted part of society until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, which led to its abolishment.
Some new religious movements have revived the practice in recent years. These religions balance ethical, spiritual, and social concerns through their unique interpretations of scripture and practices.
The most famous example of this trend is Shinto. This indigenous Japanese religion has long promoted traditional family values based on harmony between husband and wife. The ideal Shinto marriage is monogamous, with the couple living together for life. But there are cases where a man may take a second or third wife if his first wife dies or cannot bear children. Some groups within the religion even allow men to marry multiple wives simultaneously. They argue that these marriages are necessary because the number of female deities outnumber male ones, so a god needs a wife from each sex. Shinto's emphasis on purity and loyalty guides how polygamy should be practiced responsibly.
Husbands must treat all wives equally, providing them with equal resources and affection. This ensures that everyone benefits from the arrangement while remaining faithful to their vows.
Another example is Aum Shinrikyo, a controversial Buddhist-inspired movement founded by Shoko Asahara in the 1980s. This group believes in reincarnation and teaches that members can achieve enlightenment by following strict rules about diet, sexual activity, and devotion to the leader. Members typically live communally, sharing possessions and performing meditation sessions together daily. Polygamy is common among members who have reached high levels of initiation. It is seen as a way to ensure spiritual growth through intimacy with multiple partners while avoiding worldly distractions like money or property ownership. Aum Shinrikyo also claims that it balances social concerns by preventing excessive gender imbalance in society. By allowing women to have multiple husbands, more men can join the group without having to compete for mates.
Japanese religious groups balance ethical, spiritual, and social concerns through unique interpretations of scripture and practices. These communities promote harmony between husband and wife, equality between genders, and personal growth through intimate relationships. While polygamy may seem unusual outside Japan, it has deep historical roots and modern applications within these religions.
How have historical polygamous practices in new Japanese religions balanced ethical, spiritual, and social concerns?
In Japanese religious practices, polygamy has been practiced for centuries due to various cultural beliefs that regard multiple marriages as permissible within certain contexts. While this practice was initially restricted to royalty and aristocracy, it later spread to the general population, with several religious groups advocating for polygamous relationships. The practice of polygamy has generated numerous ethical, spiritual, and social concerns that these religions have had to balance.