Shinto - a Japanese Religion
Shinto: A Japanese Religion
Uncovering the religious significance and practices of Japanese Shinto
As an ancient religion of Japan, Shinto was originally a combination of nature worship, divination techniques, and shamanism. Meaning “the way of the Gods”, the origins of Shinto are not apparent in comparison to other religions, especially other Asian religions and beliefs. With no obvious founder, as well as original written scriptures and authentic laws, a number of theories exist about the origination of Shinto as a religion and its development across the Japanese lands. However, the significance of the religion has shifted the importance of discovering its origins to the religious influences that Shinto has embarked upon Japanese society. Underneath the surface, several of the beliefs and ways of thinking, created by the Shinto religion, is deeply embedded in the fabric of modern Japanese society and beyond into today’s contemporary world. Although its strength as a religion is not as apparent in today’s society, the collection of rituals and methods envisioned and created by Shinto have implicitly remained a part of Japanese religion and culture, which have even been adopted by other religions. Strayed from other religions such as Buddhism and Confucianism, Shinto developed its own traditions and customs during its establishment as a form of worship. While Shinto has slowly disintegrated through the popular growth of other religions in Asia, the religion itself has several sacred elements – although some are now hidden within their traditions and monuments. As the religious aspect of Shinto has transformed throughout the centuries, this paper will examine that the initial importance of Shinto remains the same and many of the original components of the faith are still labeled as “religious”.
The Shinto religion and its beliefs differ from other religious views. For the Shinto’s, the “divine, natural, and human elements” are closely related to one another.
Uncovering the religious significance and practices of Japanese Shinto
As an ancient religion of Japan, Shinto was originally a combination of nature worship, divination techniques, and shamanism. Meaning “the way of the Gods”, the origins of Shinto are not apparent in comparison to other religions, especially other Asian religions and beliefs. With no obvious founder, as well as original written scriptures and authentic laws, a number of theories exist about the origination of Shinto as a religion and its development across the Japanese lands. However, the significance of the religion has shifted the importance of discovering its origins to the religious influences that Shinto has embarked upon Japanese society. Underneath the surface, several of the beliefs and ways of thinking, created by the Shinto religion, is deeply embedded in the fabric of modern Japanese society and beyond into today’s contemporary world. Although its strength as a religion is not as apparent in today’s society, the collection of rituals and methods envisioned and created by Shinto have implicitly remained a part of Japanese religion and culture, which have even been adopted by other religions. Strayed from other religions such as Buddhism and Confucianism, Shinto developed its own traditions and customs during its establishment as a form of worship. While Shinto has slowly disintegrated through the popular growth of other religions in Asia, the religion itself has several sacred elements – although some are now hidden within their traditions and monuments. As the religious aspect of Shinto has transformed throughout the centuries, this paper will examine that the initial importance of Shinto remains the same and many of the original components of the faith are still labeled as “religious”.
The Shinto religion and its beliefs differ from other religious views. For the Shinto’s, the “divine, natural, and human elements” are closely related to one another.
Bibliography: University, Ontario: 2006). Internet “Japanese Shinto Shrine Guide”. 2001. http://www.onmarkproductions.com/htlm/shrine-guide.shtml. Architecture. 2000. http://ias.berkeley.edu/orias/visuals/japan_visuals/shinto.HTM. Watt, Paul. “Shinto an Buddhism: Wellsprings of Japanese Spirituality”. 1996. Pg.