Cultural Presentation for Nursing School

7/23/2019 Cultural Presentation for Nursing School

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Japanese AmericansJapanese AmericansAnd BuddhismAnd Buddhism

Considerations forConsiderations for

Health-care DeliveryHealth-care Delivery


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Defining CharacteristicsDefining CharacteristicsThe family is structured in a hierarchical way,The family is structured in a hierarchical way,with the father as the head of the family andwith the father as the head of the family andthen the eldest son. Male children are held atthen the eldest son. Male children are held ata higher value to that of female children.a higher value to that of female children.

Respect is paid to ancestors and elderly. Past-Respect is paid to ancestors and elderly. Past-Present Orientation. Family is the centralPresent Orientation. Family is the centralfocus; interdependence. Avoids direct eyefocus; interdependence. Avoids direct eye

contact as a sign of respect, only used when incontact as a sign of respect, only used when in

intimate situations and during seriousintimate situations and during seriousconversations. No personal space issues.conversations. No personal space issues.

Japanese Language and American English areJapanese Language and American English areused in communicating. Nod often duringused in communicating. Nod often duringconversation, but does not always mean theyconversation, but does not always mean they

are agreeing.are agreeing.

Shame and guilt used to train children. LessShame and guilt used to train children. Lessopen displays of emotion. Parents structureopen displays of emotion. Parents structure

child's life for academic success.child's life for academic success.


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DressDressTypically the dress for JapaneseTypically the dress for JapaneseAmericans is that of any otherAmericans is that of any other

American. Those of the olderAmerican. Those of the oldergeneration and during special holidaysgeneration and during special holidaysand ceremonies Japanese Traditionaland ceremonies Japanese TraditionalClothing is worn; such as a Kimono,Clothing is worn; such as a Kimono,

Yukata, Hakama and Gi/Haori, andYukata, Hakama and Gi/Haori, andZori sandals with Tabi socks.Zori sandals with Tabi socks.


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DietDiet

Rice is an important stable ofRice is an important stable ofmost meals. When they are sickmost meals. When they are sickhot food is recommended. Tendhot food is recommended. Tendto avoid stimulants/caffeine.to avoid stimulants/caffeine.Plenty of vegetables, seafood,Plenty of vegetables, seafood,and fruit in the diet. Bread andand fruit in the diet. Bread andmeat minimally important.meat minimally important.

They also do eat AmericanThey also do eat AmericanFood.Food.


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Prayer and Holy DaysPrayer and Holy DaysBuddhist do not believe in a God or a deity, therefore, prayer is not required to reach an enlightened stateBuddhist do not believe in a God or a deity, therefore, prayer is not required to reach an enlightened state(Nirvana). Many Buddhists recite mantras, which are said to have a profound spiritual affect on the person.(Nirvana). Many Buddhists recite mantras, which are said to have a profound spiritual affect on the person.The mantras can be aided with written mantras on a prayer flag, a prayer wheel, or spinning wheel.The mantras can be aided with written mantras on a prayer flag, a prayer wheel, or spinning wheel.

Buddhists also have ritualistic prayers (which are purely affirmations and desires) that are recited beforeBuddhists also have ritualistic prayers (which are purely affirmations and desires) that are recited beforemeals (Itadakimasu) and after meals (Gochisosama Deshita). The largest Japanese/Buddhist holidaymeals (Itadakimasu) and after meals (Gochisosama Deshita). The largest Japanese/Buddhist holidayby far is the Japanese New Year. Other important holy days are: Nirvana Day, Obon (celebrating the life andby far is the Japanese New Year. Other important holy days are: Nirvana Day, Obon (celebrating the life and

death of ancestors), Bodhi Day, and many more depending upon the denomination or region.death of ancestors), Bodhi Day, and many more depending upon the denomination or region.


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Religion and Sacred WritingsReligion and Sacred WritingsThe Buddha or "Enlightened One," as he is called, never professed to be aThe Buddha or "Enlightened One," as he is called, never professed to be a

God and his teachings are focused on spiritual enlightenment and theGod and his teachings are focused on spiritual enlightenment and the

"Cessation" of suffering. The relationship between Buddha and his"Cessation" of suffering. The relationship between Buddha and hisfollowers is that of a teacher and a student. The path tofollowers is that of a teacher and a student. The path toenlightenment is based upon moral development and practice throughenlightenment is based upon moral development and practice throughdeep mediation. Buddha believed that the actions in this life affectdeep mediation. Buddha believed that the actions in this life affect

life in the next existence.life in the next existence.

There are a vast number of sacred texts and are divided further by theThere are a vast number of sacred texts and are divided further by the

sect of Buddhism. The Japanese American Buddhism sect is calledsect of Buddhism. The Japanese American Buddhism sect is calledZen Buddhism. The Zen Buddhists reject the use of these writings.Zen Buddhism. The Zen Buddhists reject the use of these writings.

They see these writings as a hindrance to Nirvana.They see these writings as a hindrance to Nirvana.


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Healing and MeditationHealing and MeditationA few things must be considered when understanding the BuddhistA few things must be considered when understanding the Buddhistperspective of healing: Karma must be considered and also the holisticperspective of healing: Karma must be considered and also the holisticapproach of healing the entire being. Pinit Ratanakul (a Buddhist Monk)approach of healing the entire being. Pinit Ratanakul (a Buddhist Monk)stated that,"Health is the expression of harmony--within oneself, in one'sstated that,"Health is the expression of harmony--within oneself, in one'ssocial relationships, and in relation to the natural environment. To besocial relationships, and in relation to the natural environment. To beconcerned about a person's health means to be concerned with theconcerned about a person's health means to be concerned with the

whole person." Illness is not usually discussed openly. The patient takeswhole person." Illness is not usually discussed openly. The patient takesa passive role and is usually stoic in the face of pain. End of life planninga passive role and is usually stoic in the face of pain. End of life planningand advanced directives are often not well received in more traditionaland advanced directives are often not well received in more traditional

families. No restrictions on the used of blood or blood products. Birthfamilies. No restrictions on the used of blood or blood products. Birthcontrol and sterility testing are acceptable.control and sterility testing are acceptable.

Meditation is used ceremonially and as a way to de-stress or reconnect withMeditation is used ceremonially and as a way to de-stress or reconnect withthe energies of the environment. Takes many forms such as: Teathe energies of the environment. Takes many forms such as: Tea

Ceremonies and flower arrangementCeremonies and flower arrangement


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Birth and DeathBirth and DeathBirth is an affair of the extended family. The the 3rd dayBirth is an affair of the extended family. The the 3rd day

after the birth, the parents purify the room to welcomeafter the birth, the parents purify the room to welcomethe baby into the new space. A Tanjoki, or birth scroll, isthe baby into the new space. A Tanjoki, or birth scroll, isprepared and used to record major events in the child'sprepared and used to record major events in the child'slife. Many Buddhists never give a baby a name before it islife. Many Buddhists never give a baby a name before it is

born. They give a fake name to make the evil spirits sickborn. They give a fake name to make the evil spirits sickand get them away from the baby. The baby is usuallyand get them away from the baby. The baby is usually

given an official name one week after birth at a temple.given an official name one week after birth at a temple.

Death includes a broader social circle outside of the familyDeath includes a broader social circle outside of the familyties. All rituals at death are geared at promoting humanties. All rituals at death are geared at promoting humanrebirth. The person's state of mind at death is believed torebirth. The person's state of mind at death is believed toinfluence their rebirth; therefore medications that alterinfluence their rebirth; therefore medications that alterthe mind may not be well received at the time of death.the mind may not be well received at the time of death.

Traditionally there is a 3-5 day period when the body isTraditionally there is a 3-5 day period when the body isnot disturbed following death.not disturbed following death.


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Traditions and CeremoniesTraditions and CeremoniesDuring the 5During the 5ththmonth of pregnacy, a pregnant woman willmonth of pregnacy, a pregnant woman willreceive a special sash from her parents or temple, calledreceive a special sash from her parents or temple, called

Anzan Hara Obi, to pray for a safe and easy childbirth; sheAnzan Hara Obi, to pray for a safe and easy childbirth; shewill wear this until she goes to deliver. On the 31will wear this until she goes to deliver. On the 31ststday afterday afterbirth for males, 32birth for males, 32ndndfor females, the family will take thefor females, the family will take thechild to the temple for their first Buddhist service, calledchild to the temple for their first Buddhist service, calledHatsumairi. During the New Year, many Japanese AmericansHatsumairi. During the New Year, many Japanese Americansmake their first visit, of the New Year, to the temple knownmake their first visit, of the New Year, to the temple known

as Hatsumoude.as Hatsumoude.

Funeral traditions often vary depending on the family's beliefs.Funeral traditions often vary depending on the family's beliefs.Most cremate their loved ones after a wake in the home andMost cremate their loved ones after a wake in the home andthen a large gathering at a funeral home or temple where athen a large gathering at a funeral home or temple where aBuddhist Priest/Monk will recite prayers to ease theBuddhist Priest/Monk will recite prayers to ease the

deceased's transition into the next life.deceased's transition into the next life.

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Cultural Presentation for Nursing School