Shinto

What religions to people claim to follow?

I. Religious Data

10 million Japanese participate in the rituals of Shinto

One third of the population considers itself Shinto

Adherents feel a strong bond or connection with nature

II. Background

Shinto was formed around 550 BC in JapanShinto is practiced exclusively in Japan or

with people of Japanese heritageThe religion has not spread dramatically to

other nationsToday, Shinto is mainly within the borders of

Japan or Japanese immigrants

III. Beliefs

There is no all-powerful God in ShintoThey worship Kami

Kami are Gods and spirits that rule over nature and human life

They are believed to animate the world through geographical sites (Mt. Fuji) and are natural phenomenon

The individual is less important than the group

Wa (benign harmony) is ingrained in nature and human relationshipsAnything that disturbs this condition is bad. To

keep the balance of harmony, there are rules to keep society and the natural world from turning into chaos

Wa is reflected in everyday actions. For example, the removal of one’s shoes before entering a home and taking daily baths

Renewal and PurificationMan is kami’s child. Life was given to

people by kami and has sacred naturePurification is necessary to keep nature

divineA shrine dedicated to Kami has a trough of

pure water used for cleansing the hands and mouth

Shinto is not concerned with death and the afterlife

Shinto is considered a “life religion”They believe that the soul of the dead

continues to have influence on the livingMany shintoists are also Buddhist to

deal with the question of the afterlife

IV. Culture

Shinto religion is tied to the traditions, customs, and values of the Japanese

Japanese society stresses the importance of respect and character

The removal of shoes before entering a home is a Shinto practice that is part of Japanese culture

Flower arranging, Japanese architecture, and garden design all have roots in Shinto practice

In sumo wrestling, salt is used to purify the wrestling ring as part of Shinto practice

V. Ecology

Shinto teaches people to be gentle to nature

Everything given to humans from nature must be returned to its original place

Pollution is an act of evil or sinNature is holy and divine and superior

to humans

Natural landscapes are sacred placesShrines are placed in sacred natural places

Shrines are always guarded by lion statuesA Torii gate is a symbol of Shintoism and is

placed at the entrance to a shrineShrines contain a symbol that represents a

kamiShrines in homes are protected with white

paper to keep impure spirits away

Torii Gates mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine

Komainu (Guardian dogs) at the entrance to the shrine

At Inari shrines, the guardians are foxes

Purification trough at entrance

Fushimi Inari Shrine: hiking trails covered with Torii gates

Yakusumi Shrine: commemorating Japan’s war

dead

Zen Buddhism

• Brought from China in the 1200’s

• Focus on meditation and enlightenment, all people are capable of enlightenment

Zazen

• Zazen is meditation that includes body position, hand position, and breathing

• The focus is on letting go through non-thinking

• Zen appears in culture through gardening, ink painting, calligraphy and even military service

What is a Koan?

• Aid to meditation

• Question or puzzle that can’t solve with reason

• Out of frustration comes another kind of awareness

• Only used by some sects of Zen