Shinto Current Issues: World Religious Traditions

Shinto Current Issues
Carrie "Shellie" Cobbs
World Religious Traditions I
REL 155
Robert Mossman
July 26, 2014
Shinto Current Issues
Shinto, translated into ‘The way of the gods’ and dates back to 660 B.C. Shinto is loosely called a religion but is seen as and practiced as embracing many practices and beliefs. Shinto has influences from Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism but there is a strong history in mythology and mysticism. Women have had a long history throughout Shinto from the highest ranking of priestess to being unable to be a religious leader at all.
Common Characteristics of other Religions Shinto is Japan’s indigenous religion. The origins of Shinto are difficult to trace back to any one branch of Buddhism, Hinduism,
Both religions have been influenced by cultures over time. Neither religion has a founder. Shinto and Hindu both have faced challenges from the government to make changes and succumb to a new religion.
Confucianism
Shintoism and Confucianism both have written texts but the Confucianism texts were written by students after his death. In both religions humans and their ability to reach the highest level of existence or purification is of the utmost importance. The need for practicing rituals is strong in both religions. According to Patheos.com, “Confucius was a strong advocate for ritual. He believed that participation in ritual served to unite people and strengthen the human community” ("Comparison," 2014, p. 1).
Modern World
Professor Naofusa Hirai at the Kokugakin University in Tokyo states, “How is this religion responding to challenges in the modern world” (Hirai, n.d., p. 1). Shrine Shinto is the main basis or foundation and has been in existence since the prehistoric ages. Sectarian Shinto is a new sect in Shinto. Sectarian Shinto has thirteen sects and founders and started in the 19th century. Folk Shinto is a substructure that is closely involved with the folk beliefs is the history of Shinto. Eric Alcorn states, “Folk religious practice also encompasses the yearly cycle of observances and matsuri such as shōgatsu (New Years), hina matsuri (Dolls Day in February), and obon. An almanac is often used to determine how fortuitous or foreboding certain days are. Also shichi-go-san and other rites of passage can be placed under the umbrella of folk religions” (Alcorn, n.d., p.