Comparing Shinto and Zoroastrian Religions - Research Paper Example

Comparing Shinto and Zoroastrian Religions Introduction Religion forms an integral part in every human’s life as it forms the basis of the moral, social and ethical components. Interaction with the immediate environment is dictated by religion. The structural composition of a given community is defined by the manner in which religion is regarded. The unifying aspect of a community remains religion as it attracts a diverse following. Religions differ depending on beliefs and other cultural and social components. There exist similarities and difference in different religions. The way of life and the supernatural aspects define regions. There exist the Shinto and Zoroastrian religions. The two religions are unique based on their beliefs and take on different aspects. Aiming at understanding the two religions, an overview of the two would be effective, as it would provide a platform where different elements will be included. In determining Zoroastrian and Shinto religion, the structure, beliefs, rituals and celebrations become integral components while comparing. Structure, beliefs, celebrations and rituals form the core basis of a given religion. Organization The organization aspect defines the manner in which believers interact with the religious leaders and outlines aspects within a given religion. The Shinto religion bases its belief of Kami. All creatures and earthly beings are believed to be children of Kami. Good deeds and extraordinary life are believed to be appeasing Kami. Believers are united by Kami is being the center of the religion. Those with exceptional lives are considered noble and tasked with guiding other livings creatures towards Kami. The organizational components in the religion include Kami as the supreme creature whiles other creatures being positioned as the children (Coogan, 2005). Within the religious organization, there exist evil and good forces. They aim at ensuring a person’s live is positioned within the religious organization. The family structure is considered the core of the Shinto religion. The organization defers with Zoroastrian religion. Zoroastrian religion organizes itself along religious pillars. The pillar defines the way of life and the nature in which believers interact with nature. Honesty, righteousness and friendship are pillars uniting the religion. The pillars unite believers and decision-making is made in ways that are in line with the pillars. At the hierarchy of the organization is a supernatural being. The structure is similar to the Shinto religion (Coogan, 2005). The Supreme Being in the religion is called Ahura Mazda. All creatures and living beings are expected to follow a define path that identifies Ahura Mazda as the Supreme Being. The family structure completes the organizational components within the religion (Stausberg, 2004). Roles are assigned based on gender, age and religious supremacy. Their exist teachers of the law who target at informing follower on the pillars and religious expectation. The organizational components give rise to the religious beliefs and practices. Religious beliefs Beliefs define a common component among religious believers the two religions differ in terms of beliefs. The war between evil and good is an essential element within the Zoroastrians religion. The religious belief focus on the supreme nature of the good forces and it is upon the human to make informed decision to ensure a balance within the human spaces. The good versus evil belief exist in the Shinto religion where the universe is composed of good and evil forces. In an effort to unite the religions, both religions believe in a supreme maker and controller of human activities. Devine intervention is needed in both religions while balancing evil and good within the universe. The factors that unite both religions are the common element of human relation and their desired purpose. The religious status highlights how the social and cultural components unite to ensure balance in nature. The human body is considered sacred and there exist life after deaths. Creation story Creation is an integral part in any religion. The two religions have different takes on creation and the lives of human beings on earth and during their spiritual stay. According to Zoroastrian religion, god created the earth and other spiritual worlds (CIA, 2009). The design of earth was unique divine the diverse creatures placed to coexistent within the spaces. The creation of the spiritual world aimed at ensuring that human transit from their mortal state to the spiritual world after death. The creation of the spiritual world was aimed at ensuring a smooth transition by creature from the different worlds. The angels were created and other godly creatures occupied the spiritual world and assisted the Supreme Being in overseeing the activities of humans and other creations. Shinto expresses a different creational story from the Zoroastrian religion. Izabagi and Izanami were divine couples who gave birth to the earth (Japan). Their children lay basis of different gods represents the diverse clans in Japan. The gods were responsible to the formation of heavenly and earthly body (Coogan, 2005). Among the beliefs, the gods and humans are the children of Kami. Kami is the source of life in humans. Love and other positive deeds form the basis of creation. Creation story in the religion is complex, as there are different occurrences that gave birth to the earth and other creatures. The love of nature is encouraged as means of ensuring peace and harmony among the children of Kami. Life after death Among the Shinto religion death is a transitional process from the human body to the immortal world. The religion ignores the element of death and believes that death and birth are similar given the human soul transit from a visible form to an invisible world where those who performed good deeds during their life stay remain as spirit in the human world and guide over families. The death of a family member is considered a transitional process where his or her sprit remains a Guidant of the mortal world. Family members place pebbles to symbolize the presence of a spirit. The families are encouraged to purify their souls in that when they die their god deeds are rewarded. Bad deeds are purified failure to which family believers risk joining not joining the spiritual world. Divine intervention is usually used to connect the spirit world and the living. The Zoroastrian religion carries a different belief in terms of life after death. In the religion, death signifies. Zoroastrian religion believes that the life of a person during his stay on earth will determine the destination of their souls (Stausberg, 2004). Upon death, the soul hovers around and on the third day of death, judgment is done based on by archangels. Those of good deeds are rewarded with paradise. Those souls who failed to pass the good deeds judgment is direct to a world where internal punishment is administered. The belief is different from Shinto where spirits remains within the family setting. In Zoroastrian, religion there is a second world where those of good deeds will enjoy while evil deeds will be punished. There exist the spirit of death where people are refrained from torching dead bodies on believe that the angel of death occupies the body upon the departure of the soul. Rituals Rituals are essential in any religion; they represent the core components within which a believer relates. The Zoroastrian religion rituals relate to life the natural balance. After death, the religion performs rituals aimed at casting out evil spirits (Stausberg, 2004). The rituals are a combination of divine intervention and cleansing practices. The dead are believed to be volatile body and could be infested by evil forces. In the Shinto religion, only specific persons touch the dead. The belief focuses at ensuring purity of the dead to ensure they transit from the material body to the spiritual body. Cleansing is done to those in contact with the dead body in an effort to ensure they are cleansed form any evil (Palmer& Finlay, 2003). The families of the dead perform specific ritual to ensure the dead become the guidance of the family. Other rituals include birth and cleansing of the human soul. Both religions practice the ritual to reduce the effect of evil forces. Ceremonies The Shinto performs shrine celebration while Zoroastrian religion focuses on divine intervention. The shrine rituals in the Shinto religion are performed for different purposes. The common ceremony is the cleansing where shamans cleanse evil deeds. According to Palmer and Finlay (2003), the ceremonies act as a link between the spirit world and the mortal world. In Zoroastrian, worship and praises to the creator are the most important ceremony. The ceremonies aim at ensuring a smooth transition from the mortal world to the spirit world. The universal balance is created by the connection between the heavenly beings and the human mind and soul. The death ceremonies within the religion are focused in ensuring that the God and his angels recognize the positive contribution of the dead during his earth stay and reward their soul with paradise and internal peace. Good and Evil The Shinto religion believes that the human body is naturally pure. The presence of evil can be cleansed and thus the human soul will always remain pure. They believe is different from Zoroastrian religion where the human is free to choose evil or good. However, the religion emphasizes on good and the manner in which it will prevail over evil (Palmer& Finlay, 2003). The two are similar given the fact that they acknowledge the existence of the evil spirit. The evil forces among the Shinto are cleansed through rituals. In the Zoroastrian religion, the evil dead are punished upon death. The human body is at liberty to choose good or evil. The prolonged stay on earth is believed to be integral in transforming the humans soul and to choose good over evil. Marriage The social setting in both religions focuses on the family and the manner in which families could be used to ensure good deeds. Marriages are considered sacred within these societies. The cultural components within the religion allow individuals from opposite sex to marry. In the case of the Shinto, the shrine is chosen to celebrate and cleanse couples before and after marriage. The Zoroastrian religion teaches on the importance of the sacred marriages and the role of the supernatural being to foresee each marriage (Palmer& Finlay, 2003). Children are considered sacred. In the Shinto religion, birth is considered the transition of human from the invisible world to the mortal world. The Zoroastrian religion believes that birth signifies the beginning of life and that the newborn will face evil and good forces, upon which their choices will determine the life lived on earth and the spiritual world. Communal worshiping Weekly meetings are occurrences among different religions. Among the Shinto religion, the weekly meeting does not exist. In place of the meetings, the believers are advised to visit shrines. The shrines act as holy places where the human body purified and freed from any evil. Among the Zoroastrian religions seasonal meetings and communal worship exist. The practice includes fire or light to signify the presence of God (CIA, 2009). The communal worship is believed to be essential while seeking divine intervention. The fire symbolizes life thus every worshiper prays in the direction of fire. Fire is used during other celebration including birth and death ceremonies. Among the Shinto, the shrine is an important place and each believer upon seeking purification visit shines and offer sacrificed and other offerings. Kami is believed to offer the universe balance. Those of goods and evil deeds visit the shine which remains essential in the religion. Conclusion Structure, beliefs, celebrations and rituals form basis of any religion. The interaction of the good and evil is a dormant belief among the Zoroastrian and Shinto believers. The social setting is integral while the religious environment remain a unit of connectivity among different culture. Life after death concept dominates the ritual and the lives of the believers. The shrine is used by the Shinto religion to determine the way of life and the social composition. The cultural components determine the manner in which believers perceive life. Among the Zoroastrian believers judgment day exist and at this period the good deeds will be rewarded while punishment will be imposed to those who practices evil deeds. The issue of reward and punishment after death does not exist among the Shinto. The souls of the dead remains within the mortals are guidance. Reference CIA. (2009).The CIA World Factbook 2010, Book 2010. New York: Skyhorse Publishing Inc. Coogan, M.D. (2005). Eastern Religions: Origins, Beliefs, Practices, Holy Texts, Sacred Places. New York: Oxford University Press. Palmer, M. & Finlay, V. (2003). Faith in Conversation: New Approaches to Religions and the Environment. Washington, DC: IBRD Stausberg, M. (2004). Zoroastrian Rituals in Context. Danvers, MA: Brill. Read More