(Originally written February 25, 2007 in Book 14)
Pocket Guide to World Religions
Win Corduan
Chapter 13 - Shinto
Name
This Japanese religion comes from the Chinese term, "shen-dao" which means, "the way of the gods".
The Japanese equivalent of "shen-dao" is "kami-no-mihi".
It should never be referred to as Shintoism.
Numbers and Distribution
"Nearly all Japanese people are influenced by Shinto, but few would declare Shinto to be their religion" (Corduan, 121).
Many Japanese combine Shinto and Buddhism into their faith.
There are only 3 or 4 million pure Shinto practitioners, but over 100 million who incorporate parts of Shinto into their belief structure.
Shinto is confined sole to Japan and is not readily exportable.
Symbols
The most prominent symbol is the torii gate.
The Japanese flag is also a Shinto symbol standing for the rising sun and the sun goddess, Amaterasu
History
Shinto goes back to pre-historic times. It was established long before the 6th century B.C. when Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism came to Japan.
Buddhism slowly replaced Shinto as the dominant religion in Japan but in 1868 Shinto was reinstated as mandatory practice for all of Japan.
The end of WWII saw the end of the emperor as a god and Shinto declined.
Scriptures
There are three major writings of Shinto, but these are descriptive rather than Shinto rule books.
1) The Kojiki
- Shinto Mythology
- Collected by Yasumaro in A.D. 712
- Tells how the gods (kami) came into being
- tells how the god Izanagi and goddess Izanami married and created the Japanese islands
- tells how Amaterasu become the ancestor of the emperor of Japan
2) The Nihongi
- finalized by Yasumaro in A.D. 725
3) The Amatsu Norito
- collection of prayers and rituals of Shinto
Major Beliefs
Shinto is not a set of beliefs that lead to salvation. It is a set of practices to maintain harmony with the Spiritual world.
There is a spirit world; individual spiritual forces called Kami indwell in this world
A Kami can be many things:
1) impersonal spiritual force that is latent in nature
2) personal spirits that inhabit our environment
3) personal gods
People can relate to the Kami and harness their power by respecting them. If one offends the Kami they run the risk of being thwarted by the Kami.
Subgroups
State Shinto - the emperor is divine (officially repudiated)
Shrine Shinto - holy sites
Domestic Shinto - practices that are part of the traditional Shinto home
Sectarian Shinto - the new Japanese religion
Worship practices
One must offer prayers and sacrifices to the Kami.
One must inform the Kami of one's plans because the Kami is unhappy when it is surprised.
Religious Buildings
Shinto buildings are called shrines
The Shinto Shrines often have:
1) A torii gate entrance
2) a left curved walkway
3) The outer part (haiden) to be entered by worshippers
4) A ball with a rope to get the Kami's attention
5) The inner part (honden) is reserved for priests
6) Inside the honden there are Shintai, the sacred objects of that shrine's particular Kami
Japanese couples are married in Shinto Shrines, but funerals take place at Buddhist temples.
Home Practices
A home should have a but sudan, a shelf with a statue of a Buddha.
It should also have a Kamidan, a shelf with prayer objects dedicated to the Kami.
Clothing
There are not regulations on clothing, but Shinto festivals often have Shinto practitioners wearing traditional Japanese clothing.
Diet
There are no regulations on what not to eat, but red meat cannot be offered as a sacrifice.
Calendar
Japan operates on the Gregorian calendar.
New Year's is January 1st and is a day of purification.
February 3rd is the beginning of spring.
March 4 is Doll Day when girls display their dolls.
April 8 is the birthday of the Buddha and the day when the Kami descend from the mountains.
May 5 is Boys' day when boys are recognized
June 30 is the renewal of purification.
In the middle of July there is a time for commemorating the dead.
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