John: Yeah, I liked your comment about it being a “cultural” holiday, which it is for me. My dad was asking about it this weekend, since he knows I am Buddhist, and that was what my wife said to him. I was very proud.

Robert: I think Buddhism in general tends to do well in adapting to other cultures, given that Chinese culture is pretty different from Indian culture, but thrived, and thrives yet again in Anglo-American culture, as well as France, Ireland, even now Eastern European countires. I knew a friend in Ireland who was Polish and used to meditate with a Zen group in Poland, so it continues to spread and adapt.

As for Christmas cake, I’ve never tried the UK/Irish verison, but I’ve seen Japanese christmas cakes and they’re not bad. The whole notion of a christmas cake is unusual in the US, but there’s more than one way to stuff yourself with fatty, surgary foods for Christmas.

I like Buddhism’s ability to co-exist. Or is that Japan’s ability to absorb and adapt other cultural ideas and make them their own?

Putting aside the excesses of the season, the core idea of a celebration and goodwill to all is a valid one no matter what your beliefs and observances.

On Christmas cake. My Japanese friends and family had no idea about the iced dense fruitcake I brought. They found it very strange. To them Christmas cake is a strawberry cream sponge cake.
My biggest disappointment with Christmas in Japan was the lack of Christmas dinner, (even if I could have found a turkey and ham my in-laws don’t have an oven… KFC just isn’t up to the occasion! But I had great decorations at my wedding reception!)

Cheers,

John