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Comparing Buddhism And Shintoism In Ancient Japan

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The main purpose of this investigation is to successfully compare and contrast Buddhism and Shintoism in Ancient Japan. This is an important question to look into because it is necessary to analyze the similarities and differences in religions to get a better understanding of how religions can influence each other, and to see how religions can change over time from several environmental factors. In this investigation, the primary time period being investigated will be the 6th century (501-600 AD) to the modern day, and the place of focus will naturally be Japan. How do the beliefs, practices, and history of each religion relate or differ from each other? By examining these questions thoroughly, the …show more content…

Only in the 6th century CE when Buddhism and Confucianism became popular did this ancient religion establish a name for itself to distinguish between other religions. Before then, Shinto was only known as groups of unnamed animists, or people who were devoted to the spirits found in nature. Considering how old the religion is, and how there is no specific religious writing for it, it is hard to place one single belief or founder on the religion. The Shinto religion also does not have any formal rites of initiation, aside from some rights of passages which, even still, are not required to practice Shinto. Shinto is not an evangelistic religion, so there has been little effort to convert others. Only recently has it tried to spread its practices to Korea and Manchuria through shrines and mandatory rituals; this was only done to try and legitimize the religion, however, and the results were mixed. In modern Japan, there are over 100,000 shrines dedicated to different Kami- the spirits or sources of nature which embody nearly all earthly things- throughout the country, and in Ancient Japan, there were around 1,000,000. Plenty of these aforementioned shrines could be found in very nature-centered areas, as most Kami are tied to natural elements such as rivers, streams, rocks, volcanoes, and other such things. Kami are not only found in nature, however. They are known less as nature spirits, and more as spirits which can be found in both animate and inanimate things, including humans. The Association of Shinto Shrines provides a set of principles that can define the Shinto religion best: be grateful for the blessings of the Kami and devote oneself to ritual, serve the world and its people in the service of the Kami, embrace mercy, live a prosperous life, and pray for the prosperity of Japan and the world. The practice of Shinto is to

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Two examples of Shinto practices are: Omairi - This involves visitng a Shrine, cleansing oneself and praying/making offerings to the gods. Misogi - this is the practice involving purification in cold water in conjunction with prayers. This is a daily activity for regular practitioners, usually done at shrines or places of natural cold, clean water, i.e waterfalls. The Shinto rituals reinforce the principal beliefs of the religious tradition and therefore assist in and adherent’s overall search for

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What is Shinto? Discuss it. (4 points) Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion that was formed in 500 BCE. The word Shinto means “the way of the gods”.

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Culture is the culmination of a people’s beliefs, attitudes, values, and overall impressions of the world around them, and is not only expressed, but also preserved by language. Japanese culture, however, is especially distinct because during the Tokugawa period from 1603-1867, Japan was essentially isolated from the world, especially from Europe and the West. According to the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World, “the Tokugawa period now shines…as a golden age of peace and prosperity and is celebrated as the fullest expression of native Japanese culture.” Japanese culture has prominent roots in Shinto and Buddhism, the two main religions practiced in Japan, as well as the landscape of their islands, agriculture, and the importance of

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The Shintoism’s belief is more about actions of respect towards nature. Their belief in Kami, and

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Introduction The two religions I have selected to compare, and contrast, are Buddhism and Christianity. Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 5th century BCE in India, is an Eastern religion that focuses on the path to enlightenment through ethical living, meditation, and wisdom. Christianity, originating in the 1st century CE in the Roman province of Judea, is a Western religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizing faith in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of humanity. Commonalities Both Buddhism and Christianity emphasize compassion and ethical living. In Buddhism, the principle of "Ahimsa" (non-violence) and the Eightfold Path guide adherents toward a life of righteousness and compassion.

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Japanese main religion in their society today is Shinto, which was drive from “Shinato” from Chinese language means “ the way of the Kami”. Shinto is practice throughout Japanese cultural. Shinto beliefs and ritual are based on spiritual beings, kami and shrine. This type of Japanese religion has play important role on how Japanese live and do business with other nation. Japanese believed through Shinto, if the laws and rule are been obey it can bring them benefit like organization success, health and developed economy.

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Shinto is a tradition followed by the Japanese people. It originated from the ancient Chinese inscriptions. Shinto stands for the way of the Gods. In contrast, Buddhism is a tradition known as the path of salvation attained through an inevitable approach into the complete nature of reality and existence. Shinto embraces countless religious practices that were practiced in ancient Japan.

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This mean, instead of many shrines or places of worship, Confucianism lies within things like ethics, loyalty, or obligation. Shinto, Confucianism, and Buddhism are also seen in Japanese politics. This is similar to other Asian countries like China.

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In a way, Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, but in another way it is not. Even though it is a little confusing as to when Shinto became a unified religion rather than just a convenient label to give to the different faiths found in Japan. Those who are from Japan and live there don’t necessarily think of Shinto as a religion as much as something just ingrained in their culture. These religions were highly localized, and not organized into a single faith. Nor were they seen as a single religion; the realms of Earth and the supernatural were so closely integrated in the world-view of the early Japanese that the things that modern people regard as a faith were seen in those times as just another part of their everyday life.

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Both Shinto and Christianity possess unique perspectives and contributions to our understanding of the divine and the mysteries of existence. Christianity inherits the wisdom of the ancient Israelites and their encounters with God, as well as the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian community. Shinto draws from the deep spiritual connection between the Japanese people and the natural world, as well as the ancestral wisdom passed down through generations. By acknowledging the inherited wisdom and respective contributions of these religions, we can engage in meaningful interfaith dialogue and appreciate the diverse approaches to spirituality and the quest for

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Shinto has shaped Japanese culture and society in several specific ways. Three of these, in my opinion, are appreciation/respect for nature, overall acceptance of others, and optimism. The deep respect held for nature comes from the Shinto belief that there are living spirits in all of nature. The importance placed on respecting nature and being in touch with it has made Japan an exceptionally beautiful place. Wabi Sabi, the Japanese practice of accepting flaws and imperfections as beauty, is inspired by this leaning towards nature.

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Asuka Period (552-710 AD). The introduction of Buddhism in the middle of the 6th century. made significant changes to the way of life and thinking of the Japanese and was the impetus for the development of the art of this and subsequent periods. The arrival of Buddhism from China via Korea is traditionally dated to 552 BC, but probably it was known before. In the early years, Buddhism has faced political opposition and opposition from the national religion of Shinto, but just a few decades, a new faith received official approval and definitively established. In the early years of entry into Japan, Buddhism was the religion of a relatively simple with a small number of deities who needed images, but through what some hundred years it has gained

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Even though it has been around for this long, the two major texts that make up the basis of this religion werent created until ce 712 when the Kojiki was established. This was later replaced by the Nihonshoki, originally titled the Nohongi, in ce 720 (Partridge, 2005, p. 411). These works are, to this day, revered as important works by the Japanese but are neither studied or recited as a Jew would recite a verse from the Torah. Starting with the Yamato period Shinto has been an official relgion. It is even stated that the Emperor Ninigi was the grandson of

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Even though they were put in to prison Japanese reorganized in search of acquiring their freedom and they established a Organization as “Buddhist Church of America”. To help pass on its traditions, the Mission and then Church organized a Young Men’s Buddhist Association, Sunday schools, Buddhist women’s societies, and educational programmes. These Western-influenced activities had already begun to develop in Japan itself at this time. The title ‘Church’ indicates further Westernization, as do the titles ‘minister’ and ‘bishop’ and the style of religious services, which are held on Sundays, use organs and have included the singing of hymns such as ‘Buddha, lover of my soul . . .’ , though Christianized elements have reduced since the

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(Fisher, 2014, p. 210) Shinto’s uniqueness is in its adherence to cleanliness as the decease is considered unclean. In addition, shines are kept immaculate as to always provide a clean space for the kami as buildings are replaced every twenty years. (Fisher, 2014, p. 228) Shinto is heavily based upon purification that flows from the kami to mankind. Such purification is obtained via water, spontaneous movement, or ceremonial rituals. (Fisher, 2014, p. 233-234) Impurity or tsumi brings about misfortune from the kami explaining why purification is a valued tradition or kannagara within Shinto. (Fisher, 2014,

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