Dai Shizen:  Great Nature       

In Shinto we strive to live in harmony with 大自然 Dai Shizen.  This translates as “Great Nature” but actually has a very broad meaning.

First, let’s look at the kanji:

大 Dai:  means “great” in the sense of acknowledging vastness and deep importance.

自然 Shizen: this is usually translated as “Nature” but has a much broader meaning than just flora and fauna.  The first kanji 自 (shi) means “self” or “from oneself”—something that is inherent or comes from within.

The second kanji 然 (zen) means “so” or “thus”—associated with the natural state of things, or something being in a certain way intrinsically .

Together, 自然( shizen) is literally “From itself thus it is.” This suggests a mode where something that exists by itself in its natural state, or “spontaneously or naturally so.”

What does this mean? Let’s take a look at the original meaning of Shizen.

In Ancient Japan, the word shizen (also pronounced jinen) meant “naturalness”—the state of being which is intrinsic. It did not signify “nature” as we use that term in modern times.

In the Iwanami Dictionary of Ancient Japanese Words, shizen is defined as:

·     Spontaneous

·     Unexpected situations or things (not influenced by human power)

·     (adverb) just in case, perchance.

It was not until modern times (Meiji era), with the introduction of Western influence, that shizen took on the nuance of “nature” or that which is not of man. Western culture brought the view that man was given dominion over every living thing on the earth. This was in stark contrast to Eastern views.

When we discuss “living in harmony with Dai Shizen” it is a broad statement which instructs us to exist in compatibility and unity with the cosmos—with all of creation. Not just the rocks, fauna, and flora. We should also respect and be of service to other peoples, as well as to the “more than human beings.”

We are indeed part of a larger natural order—not separate or outside it.

This supports our experience of connection to and unity with the kamisama. It defines our primordial experience of spirituality that integrates us with all of creation.

Perhaps a better translation would be “Great Cosmos.”

This profound depth of Dai Shizen— Great Nature—is the foundation of our Shinto experience.