Why does Shintoism have no teachings - No.2
神道について続きを見ていきましょう。(English) Let's look at the rest of the Shinto religion.
Why does Shintoism have no teachings - No.2
1)
We have a relationship with Shinto in our daily lives.
It is still true today.
It's not just Hatsumode(going to a temple or shrine on New Year's holiday) and Shichigosan for the children's ceremonies.
When we pass in front of the torii gate enshrined in one corner of the town, we suddenly stop and put our hands together in front of it.
2)
Shinto is pervasive in our lives, and we are not particularly conscious of its existence.
Buddhism is much more in our consciousness.
You can see a monk in town, but you can't see a priest.
It is because Shinto priests wear ceremonial robes only at shrines.
3)
In that sense, Shinto is a non-religion.
It is a religion that does not rise to consciousness and cannot be seen.
Can Shinto be called a religion?
The answer is still unclear.
4)
Since we are unaware of the existence of Shinto, we hardly think about whether or not we believe in Shinto.
When asked if they have any faith, among those who affirm, some choose Buddhism, but only a limited number of people choose Shinto.
It is also because there is no ritual to convert to Shinto.
In Islam, the initiation ritual is also not so precise, but it is absent in Shinto.
A shrine visit is a ritual to report that a baby has become a parishioner of the shrine, but there is no other opportunity to do so.
Therefore, we have become believers of Shinto before we know it.
5)
There is no opportunity to confirm that they have become believers, so they are unaware of it, but if they live in a particular area, they will become believers in the local shrine.
Every year, the shrine reports to the Agency for Cultural Affairs as a believer, including the number of people unaware that they are believers.
6)
Because Shinto is such a "nonexistent religion," it freely changes its form according to the times and circumstances.
It will fuse with Buddhism as "a certain religion," and the relationship will be severed when the times change.
Moreover, the number of gods enshrined in Shinto increases arbitrarily according to the convenience of people.
Although it is said that there are 8 million gods, it is impossible to ascertain how many gods are enshrined throughout Japan.
7)
Shinto has been handed down to the present day because of the unrestrained freedom of action and thought.
In the world of Shinto, there are even shrines built into buildings.
Other than that, there is almost no response to the changes of the times.
8)
On the contrary, the flow of "revival," which started in the Edo period and became apparent at the beginning of the Meiji era, is still being passed down.
The fact that it has not changed since ancient times is relatively harmonious.
The traces of the syncretism between Shintoism and Buddhism have been erased, and Shinto appears to have inherited ancient beliefs.
9)
That trend is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future.
It is also what modern Japanese people want.
A boom of power spots has been born, and the value of shrines is being reconsidered.
People believe that the appeal of Shinto lies in the fact that it has not changed over time.
10)
Buddhism, which has become popular as ``Funeral Buddhism,'' is about to undergo a significant change amidst reports of rapid simplification of funerals.
Although this cannot be said to be a crisis for Buddhism, it encourages changes in aspects of funeral Buddhism in response to the times.
Shrines are also affected by the changes of the times, such as the declining birthrate and the phenomenon of people having weddings, but it is not as severe as Buddhism.
11)
Even as globalization progresses, Shinto, which remains within the framework of ethnic Buddhism, will not be affected.
There is no need to cross national borders and spread outside, and foreigners who come to Japan can also be involved in Shinto while maintaining their faith.
Since Shinto does not have teachings, it does not conflict with other religions.
12)
In the first place, the space of the shrine is open.
An admission fee is required to visit a famous Buddhist temple.
However, the shrine does not charge an admission fee.
Shrines do not have high-value statues, paintings, or architectural structures.
Initially, Shinto does not distinguish or discriminate between members and non-members.
13)
It would seem that these characteristics of Shinto deserve more attention.
However, while Buddhism is discussed in various ways, Shinto is rarely mentioned.
It also shows the essence of Shinto as a "non-religion."
Shinto is also an unspoken religion.
But wouldn't that be a waste?
I would be happy if it served as an opportunity to reconsider what kind of religion Shinto is.
Ref)
An overview of Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan - differences and history
1)
Temples and shrines are arguably one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions, especially among foreign visitors.
Shrines and temples are not only often beautiful structures.
Still, they are also regarded as iconic spots where visitors can learn about the cultural and religious aspects of the country while appreciating the sacred atmosphere and historical architecture.
2)
However, many people are often confused by the seeming similarities between Shintoism and Buddhism, even though they represent two very different religions.
Shinto and Buddhism are the two main religions in Japan that currently coexist peacefully.
This article will help you understand the differences and similarities between Shinto and Buddhism and distinguish between Japanese temples and shrines.
3)
1. the differences between Shinto and Buddhism
Throughout Japanese history, Buddhism and Shinto have been closely intertwined, and there is a mixture of both forms of Shinto and Buddhist rituals.
It can therefore be challenging to recognize the differences between the two.
4)
However, although Buddhism and Shinto coexist peacefully, they have many differences.
It is a brief list of the differences between Shinto and Buddhism in Japan to help you recognize shrines and temples and better understand the two faiths.
5)
Kami: Shinto: 8 million deities Buddhism: Buddha
Purpose: Shinto: animism, wishes for family and community Buddhism: protecting the state, ending suffering, enlightenment
Place of ritual: Shinto: shrines Buddhist: temples
Canon : Shinto: none Buddhist: scriptures
Origin: Shinto: Japan Buddhism: India
Training: Shinto: none Buddhism: rigorous training to attain enlightenment
6)
The aims and beliefs of these two religions differ significantly.
Shinto is based on the idea that if people devote themselves to the gods and lead simple lives, they will be blessed.
But, at the same time, they must comfort the souls of angry gods to prevent natural disasters.
Annual festivals are dedicated to the gods, praying for a good harvest and giving thanks for a peaceful year.
7)
Buddhism, on the other hand, is the path to enlightenment.
In Buddhism, people consider life to be suffering, and Buddhists pursue liberation to escape reincarnation and live in peace in heaven.
En-Nichi(=Japanese fair, day of fate) is similar to Shinto festivals but has a different purpose.
They are held in temples to celebrate days associated with gods and Buddha.
Initially, they began believing that worshippers would be rewarded for visiting temples these days.
As a result, many stalls mark today's fair days on the temple grounds. This tradition began in the Edo period when merchants started to open markets on these special days.
8)
2. Japanese Shinto
Shinto is a religion unique to Japan.
Its origins are unknown, but it has a long history and arose naturally from an ancient way of life closely associated with nature.
Ancient peoples had a close relationship with nature, as they depended heavily on it for several aspects of their daily lives, such as hunting for food.
9)
It later developed into a folk religion that regarded all of nature as divine, including the sun, moon, mountains, sea, and fire.
Animism attributes living souls to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena.
Shinto, translated as 'the way of the gods', mainly worships the gods found in natural wonders and everything around us.
According to Shinto tradition, there are more than eight million deities (kami), and, unlike elsewhere, no single principal god or scripture exists.
10)
3. Shinto and shrines
Shinto has a variety of rituals that have been practiced for centuries. For example, shrines are religious places where people come to pray.
The entire shrine site is believed to be the resting place of the gods, and people tend to pay homage to the Shinto deities when they set foot on the grounds.
Given that the shrine was built on a site with rocks and trees believed to embody the gods, it is natural to assume that the entire area is sacred.
11)
As you pass through the torii gate, the symbolic red-painted gate that stands at the entrance to the shrine, you realize that you are in a sacred area close to the gods.
A fox statueften marks the door to a shrine, and foxes are generally considered messengers of the gods.
The sacred body, the Go-Shintai, is not visible at shrines.
12)
However, it is not only Shintoists who visit shrines.
Shrines are open to everyone, regardless of denomination, and an increasing number of people visit shrines for various purposes, including sightseeing and New Year's Day New Year's visits.
In most cases, there is no need to pay a fee to enter the premises, and they are open 24 hours a day.
13)
4. Buddhism in Japan
Buddhism was brought to Japan from India in the 6th century (552, according to the official records of the Nihon Shoki).
Initially, Buddhism was not widely accepted, as many people at the time already worshipped Shintoism and were skeptical about a new religion from outside Japan.
It led to conflicts between the Monobe family, who opposed the propagation of Buddhism, and wealthy and powerful aristocrats, such as the Soga family, who strongly supported Buddhism.
14)
The situation changed after Emperor Suiko, a Buddhist firm believer, formally ascended to the throne in 592.
After that, Buddhism gained strong support from the emperors and other vital people and significantly influenced society's development.
As a result, it spread throughout the country, and countless temples were built everywhere.
15)
5. Buddhism and temples
Temples are places where Buddhist statues embodying the presence of Buddha are enshrined, and unlike shrines, when you visit a temple, you can see a statue of Buddha.
Buddha refers to the founder of Buddhism and is often cited as the Buddhist deity associated with Christ in Christianity.
16)
Temples are also the residence and training grounds of monks who aim to reach enlightenment through years of rigorous ascetic practice.
There are customs associated with Buddhism in Japan, such as Obon in August, when departed spirits are believed to return.
17)
6. Differences between shrines and temples
There are about 80,000 shrines and 75,000 Buddhist temples throughout Japan.
There are some differences between the two places of worship in their appearance, the way they pray, and a few other characteristics.
18)
Shrines, also called Jin-Ja in Japanese, are symbols of Shintoism.
The symbolic red torii gate is the easiest way to recognize a shrine, which marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred world.
There are also two lion- or dog-shaped statues at the entrances to shrines, known as Komainu.
These statues are said to ward off evil spirits.
19)
Temples, or Tera in Japanese, are a place of Buddhist worship.
Temples also have temple gates, often much more complex than shrine torii.
Another feature of temples is the five-Storey pagoda, also called a stupa.
A statue of Nio, showing a muscular guardian deity who drives away evil spirits, welcomes you to the temple, along with a giant incense burner called the evergreen incense burner and several other statues.
Sometimes there is a cemetery next to the temple.
20)
7. shrine and Buddha protection, a mixture of these two religions.
Since the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the 6th century, there has been a restructuring between the two different religions, with the two religions merging to form a new religious system.
It is known as Shinbutsu Shugo (protection of the gods and Buddha) and is a single belief system.
According to the Shinbutsu Shugo belief, temples and shrines were sometimes built on the same site.
21)
In Asakusa, Tokyo, the Nishinomiya Inari Shrine, with its torii gate, is located next to the famous Senso-Ji Temple.
Known as Jingu-Ji, the shrine and temple continued to merge Buddhism and Shinto until the Meiji era, when the Meiji Government formally separated the two religions.
However, the two religions still influence each other and coexist peacefully.
22)
Take, for example, Hatsumode, one of Japan's most significant annual events.
Hatsumode is a visit to a shrine or temple to make wishes for the New Year.
You may have heard that Hatsumode is reserved for shrines, but the truth is that Japanese people also visit temples, and there is no significant difference.
Both are considered sacred places and are ideal places to pray for good luck in the New Year, regardless of your religious background.
23)
Japanese people are often said to be born Shinto and die Buddhist, and many joyful ceremonies are considered Shinto rituals, while sad events are considered Buddhist rituals.
For example, weddings are mainly held at shrines, while funerals are generally held at temples.
Encyclopedia of the Japanese Language 'Shinto'.
Why does Shintoism have no teachings?
https://bookmeter.com/books/6172299