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Shinto Buddhism
IN JAPAN
KEY QUESTIONS
-What are Shinto’s key principles and beliefs?
-What similarities and differences are there between Shintoism and Buddhism?
-How can Japanese people practice BOTH Shinto and Buddhism?
VENN DIAGRAM DIRECTIONS
Include information about: -How each was founded -Key beliefs -Religious leaders -Symbols -Spiritual books/readings -Spiritual places/places of worship
THE BASICS
1. Kami • Animistic • Awe of volcanoes, typhoons, etc. • Seasonal Holidays • Polytheistic • Nature deities – represent and control natural elements
2. Four Affirmations: •Importance of Family •Love of Nature •Physical Cleanliness •“Matsuri”
What is Shinto?
• The “Spirit Way” (shin-to)
• Ancient, indigenous and nature religion of Japan
• More 1500 years old
• No founder – An “ethnic” religion of the Japanese people
• The root and embodiment of Japanese culture
Shinto
• Two main texts: – Kojiki (myths of ancient times, origins of gods and
man)
– Nihonji (ancient history of Japan)
• Creation myth – Japan as the center of the world
Izanagi (“male”) & izanami (“female”) (brother & sister) create the islands of Japan
Shinto
Amaterasu – the Sun Goddess
Mother of the first emperor of Japan
Shrine Shinto
• Jinja (shrines) - Tens of thousands located throughout Japan
• Natural structure, fits in with natural surrounding
• Torii – entry gate, separates sacred from profane space
State Shinto
• Meiji period (1868) – end of WWII
• Emphasis on Japanese culture and nationality (elimination of foreign influences)
• Emperors of Japan as divine
Shinto Practices
Tradition and Family
Life cycle celebrations take place at shrines:
• Newborn’s first visit to shrine
• 7-5-3 festival: blessings for boys age 5, girls ages 3 & 7
• Entry to adulthood (age 20)
• Marriage
(since Shinto celebrates life in this world, in death, the Japanese turn to Buddhist rather than Shinto rituals)
Torii Gate: Marks the entrance of a shrine
Komainu: Guardian dogs, lions, or foxes
Purification Trough: Clean hands + mouth before entering the shrine
SHINTO
Shinto Shrines
Komainu
Japanese Buddhism
The Great Buddha