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