Free Essays on Shintoism

My report is on Shintoism. Shintoism is a native Japanese religion. Actually, it is not really an â€Å"ism,† it is only a teaching. It is not a set of verbal theories or concepts. It is the all-pervading way. Shintoism in Japan is called Kami-no-michi, which means â€Å"The Way of the Gods.† Shinto is the most powerful influence on the Japanese lives. According to Shinto mythology, deities created Japan and its people. This is how Shintosim came to Japan. Shinto developed from native folk beliefs. It also had its beginning in primitive times, when the Japanese thought that their islands were the only inhabited places on earth. Shinto has a great number of followers in their religion. There was an estimated 30 million people in Japan that are Shinto’s. That isn’t including other countries that followed the Shintoism religion. Today close to 60 million people still hold the beliefs and practices of Shintoism. It was one of the main religions that first developed in Japan, and that is why there are so many followers of it today. The Shinto’s history goes way back to AD 500’s. This is when Buddhism influenced the development of Shinto. Confucianism became influential in AD 600’s. Both of these religions helped to shape Shinto rituals and doctrines. Unlike Buddhism, Shinto never developed strong doctrines on either salvation, or life after death. But, when Buddhism came in 710-1185 AD, Shinto quickly came under its influence. The two religions both mixed and coexisted at the same time. During the Tokugawa period in 1603-1868, Buddhist sects and neo Confucianism served as the guiding ideology. Shinto was overshadowed at this time. Gradually, certain nationalist scholars, turned more and more towards Shinto as a source of uniquely Japanese identities. In the late 1800’s the Japanese government sponsored the form of Shinto called the State Shinto. It stressed patriotic religious ceremonies and the di... Free Essays on Shintoism Free Essays on Shintoism Shintoism Shinto, which means the way of the gods, has no real founder, no written scriptures, no main laws, and only a very loosely organized priesthood. Shinto is a native religion of Japan and also one of the oldest religions in the world, dated back to 660 B.C. In Shinto natural objects such as rivers, mountains, and heavenly bodies can be worshipped and personified. It is not an exclusive religion and people may practice Shinto and at the same time any other religions. Shinto creation stories tell about the history and lives of the Kami, which is a spirit. There was a divine couple, Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikito, who were known as giving birth to the Japanese islands. One of their daughters, Amaterasu (Sun Goddess), is the ancestress of the Imperial family. Her descendants unified the country. It is known that there are 8 million gods and goddesses, but others have been added. Also, according to Piggot, â€Å"The attendants who accompanied ‘the Beloved Grandson’, N inigi, to Kyushu from the Celestial Plains became Shinto priests.† (38) In Shinto ancestors are deeply valued and worshipped. All of humankind is believed to be Kami’s child. Believers value musuhi, which is the Kami’s creative and harmonizing powers. The Shinto believers seek to have makoto, which is to have true heart. Shintoism has no definite set of theological beliefs or code of morality. As Motoori explains, â€Å"It is because the Japanese were truly moral in their practices they require no theory of morals.† Morality and theology was believed to be naturalistic. According to Juliet Piggot, â€Å"Early Shinto did not preach moral codes, ‘follow the genuine impulses of your heart’ was the core of the teaching, coupled with obedience to the Emperor.† (38) Through the combination of Shinto and Confucianism the warrior code of bushido developed. The warriors who followed the code of bushido emphasized the importance of loyalty, grati tude, courage,... Free Essays on Shintoism My report is on Shintoism. Shintoism is a native Japanese religion. Actually, it is not really an â€Å"ism,† it is only a teaching. It is not a set of verbal theories or concepts. It is the all-pervading way. Shintoism in Japan is called Kami-no-michi, which means â€Å"The Way of the Gods.† Shinto is the most powerful influence on the Japanese lives. According to Shinto mythology, deities created Japan and its people. This is how Shintosim came to Japan. Shinto developed from native folk beliefs. It also had its beginning in primitive times, when the Japanese thought that their islands were the only inhabited places on earth. Shinto has a great number of followers in their religion. There was an estimated 30 million people in Japan that are Shinto’s. That isn’t including other countries that followed the Shintoism religion. Today close to 60 million people still hold the beliefs and practices of Shintoism. It was one of the main religions that first developed in Japan, and that is why there are so many followers of it today. The Shinto’s history goes way back to AD 500’s. This is when Buddhism influenced the development of Shinto. Confucianism became influential in AD 600’s. Both of these religions helped to shape Shinto rituals and doctrines. Unlike Buddhism, Shinto never developed strong doctrines on either salvation, or life after death. But, when Buddhism came in 710-1185 AD, Shinto quickly came under its influence. The two religions both mixed and coexisted at the same time. During the Tokugawa period in 1603-1868, Buddhist sects and neo Confucianism served as the guiding ideology. Shinto was overshadowed at this time. Gradually, certain nationalist scholars, turned more and more towards Shinto as a source of uniquely Japanese identities. In the late 1800’s the Japanese government sponsored the form of Shinto called the State Shinto. It stressed patriotic religious ceremonies and the di...