Motoyama's philosophical system was based on his experiences of meditation. His philosophy was based on the idea that no individual philosophical system is without its faults. Because of this, his philosophy appears to be an eclectic blend of seemingly disparate philosophies, but this is far from the case. His system is centralized upon Samkhya philosophy due to its explanatory efficacy, but primarily because of its utilization by
Patañjali. Because of the attention to detail found in the
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Motoyama emphasizes the eight steps of yogic training. However, he broadens the scope of samkhya here, extending the ultimate (the isolated
Purusha) beyond the limitations of being. Borrowing from
Kitaro Nishida, Dr. Motoyama uses the term to define the field that sustains being itself. This
basho is beyond the categories of being/non-being and birth/death. One who abandons individuality itself becomes a
basho-being by completely annihilating themselves. This is very much in line with the Buddhist
Jhānas and the
Mahayana notion of
Śūnyatā. Thus,
basho-being is roughly synonymous with "buddha." The
basho is the limit of and that which sustains our universe, beyond which, Motoyama states, is God. In brief, Motoyama's system is a synthesis of Samkhya (atheistic), Buddhism (non-theistic) and Shinto (theism) that incorporates yogic cultivation, the energy systems of the body-mind as well as faith in God. ==Selected English publications==