Religion is a huge part of everyday life. In TCI we have learned about many different religions such as muslim and Catholicism. Most religions that we have learned about have different groups under the whole religion. In ancient Japan two popular religions existed, Shinto and Buddhism. Both of these religions and their followed are mentioned in the Samurai's Tale novel. In this paper I will discuss these two different religions and where they are mentioned in the Samurai's Tale. First, I will talk about Shinto and the belief of their followers. Then, I will discuss Buddhism and the different forms of the religion. Finally, I will show you how both Shinto and Buddhism merged. Shinto is the indigenous religion in ancient Japan. Shinto means the way of the gods. The followers of Shintoism believe …show more content…
Buddhism entered Japan through China, Korea, and India by way of the Korean Peninsula. Buddhism sees life in pain and suffering. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, taught that life was a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The only way to break this everlasting cycle is to reach enlightenment, the state of gaining spiritual knowledge and finding truth. Enlightens cam be achieved by following a moral code known as the eightfold path. The eightfold path states one must respect others, act properly, and gain spiritual wisdom through meditation. There are two forms of Buddhism, Amida and Zen. Admida buddhists believe all people can reach enlightenment by saying Amida throughout the day. Zen Buddhism focus on self reliance and achieving enlightenment through meditation. Meditation is held for hours sat cross-legged without movement. In the Samurai's Tale Taro practices Zen Buddhism. " When you are practicing Zazen you sit immobile, as if you were a statue of a Buddha. You must attempt to empty your mind of all thoughts, of all vanities of this world." (Erik Christian Haugaard Samurai's Tale page