Revealing the essence of Shinto
1)
Shintoism has long been rooted in Japanese life, but what exactly do we believe? In Shinto, there is no "guru", no "doctrine", and no "salvation". Although it is a "no religion", its vitality is astonishing.
Thinking about "Shinto," which has not been given much attention, may lead to a clarification of the spirituality of the Japanese people. We publish the "Introduction" from the book "Japanese Shinto - Solving the Mysteries of Gods, Rituals and Shrines".
2)
Introduction
Shinto is the native religion of Japan.
It is not known precisely when Shinto was born or its origins. It can be said that its history is so old that we don't even know it.
Later, the Korean peninsula and China introduced religions other than Shinto to Japan. The most representative example is Buddhism, and it is said that Buddhism was first publicly introduced in the middle of the 6th century. This corresponds to the Kofun period.
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It is said that in the early stages, there was a debate among the powerful clans as to whether or not Buddhism should be accepted. Eventually, however, Buddhism took root in Japanese society and played an essential role in shaping Japanese spirituality.
4)
Shinto and Buddhism merged in the Middle Ages, creating "Shinto-Buddhist syncretism". The two are intricately intertwined, and the Japanese religious world underwent a significant transformation. This situation continued into modern times, and its influence is still felt today. As a result, Japanese people are involved in Shinto and Buddhism daily.
5)
In addition to Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism were introduced from the Korean peninsula and China. However, unlike Buddhism, these two religions did not form religious groups and did not take root in Japanese society as independent, systematic beliefs.
Nevertheless, Taoism believed in a single god, which was sometimes adopted. Alternatively, the gods worshipped in Hinduism in India were sometimes introduced through Buddhism. Of course, the existence of such gods also influenced Shinto.
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As for foreign religions, Christianity and Islam were also introduced to Japan. However, since these two religions are monotheistic religions that worship only one absolute God, they did not merge with Shinto, a polytheistic religion that worships many gods.
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Recent research has shown that the syncretisation of Shintoism and Buddhism is not unique to Japan but can be seen throughout East Asia. The fusion of gods and Buddhas is widespread in East Asian countries.
However, what is remarkable about Japanese Shinto is that due to the "separation of Shinto and Buddhism" that took place at the beginning of the modern era, Shinto and Buddhism, which had been fused for a long time, became independent religions.
8)
This resulted from the new Meiji government's intention to place Shinto beliefs at the centre of modern Japanese society and was imposed from above. It was also accompanied by "Haibutsu Kishaku", which excluded Buddhism.
In other words, Shinto and Buddhism were forcibly separated.
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This was a big blow to Buddhism, which could not receive protection from the government, but Shinto was put in a position to receive aid from the state and was positioned as a "national religious cult".
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In this respect, Shinto became independent of Buddhism, resulting from government policy. Opinions will differ on whether this was good for Shinto or Buddhism.
However, the fact that the ancient Shinto faith achieved independence as a religion in modern times is an event that deserves considerable attention when considering the history of world religions.
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For example, in regions where monotheism had spread, polytheism, the worship of many gods, had spread before. Monotheism succeeded in establishing itself by displacing and absorbing polytheism.
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If we were to try to make the former polytheism independent of such regions today, would it be possible to do so?
More specifically, would it be possible to revive in their pre-Christian form the Celtic and Germanic religions that existed before the spread of Christianity in Europe?
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This shows the unique path of Shinto. Because it has been syncretised with Buddhism for a long time, it has been influenced by Buddhism, but the essential parts have been firmly preserved.
In this respect, Shinto is a strange religion. Its vitality is also unique.
14)
Japanese society underwent rapid modernisation during the Meiji era. After the war, Japan experienced high economic growth and was on its way to becoming an economic superpower.
As a result, skyscrapers were built in major cities such as Tokyo. However, at the foot of such a building, a Shinto shrine (small shrine) has been made, handed down from ancient times. There are also examples of small shrines on the roofs of buildings.
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Modern and ancient times are blended, and their coexistence does not feel out of place. In addition, Japanese people visit shrines in different areas on different occasions and offer prayers to the gods that have been handed down since ancient times. Shinto beliefs are deeply ingrained in the Japanese way of life.
16)
What kind of religion is Shinto?
If you ask this question, it is surprisingly tricky to answer.
Buddhism is a religion that arose due to the attainment of enlightenment by a man named Buddha in India, and its teachings can be explained as "this is what it means.
17)
However, when it comes to Shinto, no one founded it in the first place. There is no founder, no guru. So, it doesn't come quickly, even if you start thinking about the teachings.
Does Shinto have doctrines? Shrines are the places of worship in Shinto, but even if you visit a shrine, the teachings of Shinto are not passed on to you.
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Can Shinto without doctrine be called a religion? Of course, such questions arise.
Whether Shinto is a religion has been debated in various ways.
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However, the concept of "religion" itself was born in modern times and did not exist before. Although the word "religion" existed, it meant the teachings of a sect, and its meaning was different from the word "religion" used today.
The history of the concept of religion is much shorter than that of Shinto. This also affects whether Shinto should be considered a religion. At a time when the idea of religion was not yet established, no one thought Shinto to be a religion.
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Moreover, the Meiji government, which positioned Shinto as a national religious service (respecting and performing rituals to appease divine spirits), placed Shinto outside the framework of religion.
If it is a religion, freedom of religion is an issue, but if it is not a religion, forcing someone to do it does not violate freedom of religion.
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After the war, such policies were abolished, and Shinto was treated as a religion like Buddhism and Christianity. Each shrine is certified as a religious corporation; in that sense, it is a religion.
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However, there are still many people who feel uncomfortable regarding Shinto as a religion. Religion was also introduced in Western Europe and modelled on Christianity.
Although Christianity and Shinto have God as the object of their faith, their characteristics are very different. There is a considerable difference in the atmosphere between a Christian church and a Shinto shrine.
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Is Shinto a religion? Or is it just a way of life?
Where on earth should we look for the essence of Shinto, including such discussions? What does Shinto mean to us Japanese people?
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There are many things to consider when looking at Shinto. In the case of Shinto, there are no doctrines, so shrines have become particularly important. What is a shrine? What is its history?
Unlike Buddhism and Christianity, Shinto has no fixed holy book. The myths recorded in the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki" replace scripture. Many shrines are dedicated to deities who appear in tales.
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The myth is also linked to the emperor, defined as the national symbol under the current constitution. Why is the emperor a character? If we go back to its roots, myths are crucial.
Although we are in daily contact with Shinto, we don't think much about Shinto or shrines. In this respect, it can be said that Japanese people believe in Shinto without even realising it.
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Of course, this is not a big problem, but thinking about Shinto and shrines helps clarify the nature of Japanese spirituality. Isn't it beneficial to understand "Japanese Shinto" now?
Revealing the essence of Shinto
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Why does Shinto have no teachings?
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Content introduction
"Shinto" has been deeply involved in our lives since ancient times.
However, can we Japanese understand the essence of the "Shinto" religion?
This book identifies the essence of Shinto as a "religion without a founder," no doctrine, and no salvation and traces its development.
Clarifying how the Japanese have been involved with Shinto is
This will lead to thinking about the Japanese people's basic worldview and life view!
"Why does Shinto have no teachings?" Hiromi Shimada - A religion with no founder, founder, doctrine, or salvation-
Shinto - Wikipedia
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A5%9E%E9%81%93
Country / Region: Japanese flag Japan
Number of believers: 87,924,087 people
Year of establishment: Unknown ( the original form is said to have been formed from the Jomon period to the Kofun period )
Founder none
The object of faith: eight million gods
The holy book, No canon
Mother body: Ethnic beliefs, nature beliefs, ancestor beliefs
Main instructor:
Emperor (High Priest)
Rituals performed by parishioners (residents themselves)
Shinto priests ("priests" such as priests and priests )
Sacred place: Ritual facilities such as shrines and natural objects such as mountains, rocks, rivers, etc.
Doctrine: No specific doctrine
[Why Shinto is interesting] Shinto has no founder, doctrine, or salvation!! The world misunderstands cults...The difference between Western gods and Shinto gods
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYBH5GTPYeg
