The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart - Report Example

Shinto Religion World over, many communities did have traditional ways of worship. Most of these traditional ways of worship evolved into what has now become a modern religion. Islam and Christianity can also be seen to have started as community religion, only that their ambassadors took them beyond their border. It is through the same method that Shinto religion grew, only that it did not go beyond Japanese borders to influence other communities. Even so, that may be seen to have been occasioned by the fact that it took quite a while before the Japanese adopted any writing style. By the time Shintoism was gaining roots, it was because early Chinese calligraphy had influenced Japan’s traditional system. Therefore, Shintoism is the most traditional mark of religion that has been left in Japan. This paper shall discuss various features of Shinto religion. It will also give a brief historical background for a clear understanding on how the modern Shintoism evolved to become what it is today. The thesis statement shall be: Shinto religion evolved over through the influence of other religious practices around Japan to emerge as s distinct religion. Historical Background Many scholars have observed that Shinto religion was founded approximately 660 BC. This means that the religion is significantly older than Christianity and Islam, which are also major religions of the modern world. At the time of its conception, Shinto religion aimed at making a connection between the past and the present. The religion is uniquely characterized by a system of rituals that are conducted in a very elaborate and specific manner (Hearn 38). Japan mythology narrate that the religion is closely associated with the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki historical times. It has been observed that there is a possibility of three types of Shinto. That is because existing records do not point to a single religion, but various practices that may be seen to be what eventually made up the religion. That way, it may be perceived that the religion developed disjointedly in the early Japanese societies before being consolidated through writing into one religion. Some scholars have used language comparison, particularly Chinese and Japanese phonetics, to argue that it is likely that the Chinese side influenced Shinto religion. They argue that the worship of many gods that is a characteristic of the religion may have been borrowed from Chinese philosophy (Littleton 59). Even so, the most outstanding feature of the religion given the time it emerged is its attempt to explain the universe. Like many traditional religions world over, Shinto developed as a way of trying to understand the world around a particular people. The same applies to religion in Ancient Egypt and Maya that had celestial implications. Nevertheless, Shinto also developed ritual practices that that gave the people a spiritual and cultural sense (Littleton 61). Influence Buddhism and the Emergence of Various Types of Shinto With the advent of Buddhism, Shinto religion borrowed other elements of Buddhism worship. That was not a very new thing. The existence of two religions side by side usually leads to influence and borrowing to create what scholars call religious syncretism. The emerging religious syncretism was probably what contributed the widespread of Shintoism especially after the establishment of Buddhism. The fact that the government had supported Buddhism can be seen to have also contributed to the growth and spread of Shintoism. The various types of Shinto such as Shrine Shinto, Imperial House Shinto and Sect Shinto amongst others had emerged. The core practices were largely similar. Features of Shinto Religion The religion was organized into shrine worship. There were a number of rituals that went hand in hand with the worship. Some degree of flexibility was allowed when it comes to worship so that followers needed not come to the shrines to worship. The religions allowed followers to worship at their dwellings as well as at the shrines. In either of the two places that followers choose to worship, Shinto religion advocated a systematic pattern of worship where order of conduction worship is very important. Scholars have also pointed out that Shinto religion advocates that its followers practice certain virtues in keeping with the doctrines of Shinto. The doctrines are not many. They make up what may be seen as the spirit of worship within the religion. For instance, the religion advocates for its followers to demonstrate sincerity, cheerfulness and purity. In fact, some of these values are also reflected in the kind of rituals that are part of the religion. By advocating these values, Shinto religion may be seen to lay foundation for what may be considered within the religion to constitute religious righteousness. Rituals The rituals complemented the values that the religion advocated. For instance, the purification ritual is seen as one of the most important rituals (BBC Religions 1). That is because purity is seen as the cornerstone through which the religion advocated for sacredness. Before rituals can start, many preparations are undertaken. For instance, decorations are set up and other media for sound made available. A Shinto religion has its religions leaders or priest. The priest (Kannushi) is usually charged with the execution of the rituals. Before priests can commence the rituals, they have to dress in religious robes and put on all the required adornment. Since prayers are usually directed to a kami, rituals demand that the language to be used during the festival has to demonstrate humility and reverence to the gods. The purification ritual (misogi) may be compared to what the Christianity calls baptism. That is because there is the use of water. The religion considers day-to-day practices as ritually unclean. The purification ritual, also called Harae, is founded on the belief that when is ritually unclean, the persons is not at peace with the mind. Such a state of disharmony is discouraged by the religion. Such wrong deeds have to be purified so that one may be at peace of mind (Yamakage 84). The purification ritual has no calendar as individuals may conduct purification at home and at the shrines (Omairi). While performing rituals, there are elaborate and specific processes that followers go through. Prior to the commencement of the main event, the purification ritual takes place after which believers in the religion may proceed with the remaining elements of the religion. Next, those in attendance are required to bow before the altar at the shrine as a sign of respect, sincerity and belief in the religion. The sanctuary is then opened after which the faithful proceed to present their offering. Such include any food except meat. Later one after the offerings have been concluded, prayers are said after which there is music and dance. The ceremony is usually very elaborate. The priest (Kannishi) plays a significant role in the religion despite the fact that prayers may be conducted at home. For instance, the priest still plays a role in the modern religion where the faithful call upon him to come and invoke blessing in their projects. Other rituals performed in Shinto religion include Jichinsai-Ji Matsuri and Norito. Such rituals also are performed during festivals. Festivals include the new-year festival, annual festival and adults’ festival amongst others. Religious Beliefs in Shintoism Shinto religion believes in the worship of the Kami. Through the understanding of the religion, kami are spirits though it is treated as a singular noun. There is a belief in the religion that kami are the closest spirits to human beings (Kasulis 31). Shintoism believe that kami usually respond when human beings offer them prayers, hence the concept of praying to them. It is also believed that that kami have the power to effect changes and events in the human physical world. Kami is also believed to have a life giving ability, perhaps the reason why the religion advances the concept of kami as a god (Kasulis 78). The religion also believes in the inherent purity of human beings at the time of birth. The religion offers that people only become impure after birth owing to diseases, moral corruption and sin. Besides, there is a belief that the universe and the physical world in which human beings live as one. That is to mean that the religion eliminates the possibility of existence of different world for the spirits and the living. Sects Even so, it is vital to note that although there is little belief in life after death, many believers in Shinto religion who also practice Buddhism believe in life after death. In fact, many Shinto faithful are also Buddhists. There is no clear explanation for this. Therefore, one can only assume that the two religions offer flexibility for such religious syncretism. Such are the beliefs advanced by the religion. Therefore, the current state of religions is that it is continuing to change (Yamakage 112). Conclusion As seen, Shinto religions has been influenced widely by the social environment around it. The religion has survived as one of the most practiced religion in Japan despite the fact that not many people consider themselves Shintoists. Like many other religions, festivals play an important part to unite and socialize believers. The belief in doing what is right is corner stone that has anchored the religion on strong foundations such that the modern generations still find relevance in the practices. It would appear that Shinto religion, given its flexible approach to worship and the many faces, might be considered a religion that grew out of the need to acquire some spiritual significance. Works Cited BBC Religions. Purity in Shinto. 2014. Web. Accessed from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/purity.shtml Hearn, Lafcadio. Japans Religions: Shinto and Buddhism. Whitefish: Kessinger Publishing, 2003. Print. Kasulis, Thomas. Shinto. Hawaii: University of Hawaii Press, 2004. Print. Littleton, Scott. Shinto: Origins, Rituals, Festivals, Spirits, Sacred Places. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print. Yamakage, Motohisa. The Essence of Shinto: Japans Spiritual Heart. New York: Kodansha USA, 2012. Print. Read More