Shinto

Japan’s Ancient Religion

Shintoism is a Polytheistic belief that

expresses love and respect for nature.

•Paganism in Europe •Many tribal beliefs in Africa•Practices of native cultures in North and South America

Comparison to the “West”

Shintoism celebrates life and the beauty of

nature

Shintoist worship kami

•Kami is a general term for Shinto deities and spirits.

•Some kami are compared to the “gods” of the west, but are different in many ways, too.

Kami can also be forces of nature, important people, or even natural objects.

KAMI

•A special rock, a large tree, or a waterfall, can be considered Kami. •The emperor of Japan was considered a Kami.

KAMI

•Unlike most other religions of the world, Shintoism has NONO:

•Identifiable founder

Shinto

•Body of religious laws.•Written scriptures or Holy Text•A very loosely organized priesthood

Tradition and the family:

The family is seen as the main force for traditions to be

preserved. Main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.

The Four Affirmations of Shinto

Love of nature:

Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the Gods. Natural objects are worshipped as

sacred spirits

The Four Affirmations of Shinto

Physical cleanliness:

Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out

their mouth often. Shinto stresses purifying that which is unclean,

such as dirt, wounds, and disease. Touching the dead is considered

unclean.

The Four Affirmations of Shinto

Matsuri:

The worship given to the kami and the ancestral spirits.

The Four Affirmations of Shinto

• Shintoists build shrines dedicated to specific kami.

• The kami respond to sincere prayers of the faithful.

• Shrine ceremonies include cleansing, offerings, prayers, and dances.

► According to ________ teachings every thing in nature has spirits.► These sprits called ________ are believed to keep people safe and help them live. ►They build shrines called gates and perform ceremonies to ask for ____________.

Shinto

kami

blessings

Torii GateTorii GateWhen entering a shrine, one passes through

a Torii

The Torii marks the separation between the finite world and the infinite world of the

Gods.

Torii GateTorii Gate

Torii GongTorii Gong

Shinto Temple – “Worship Hall”

Shinto Temple – “Worship Hall”

Quick Answer:

Yes

But in an altered form, current Japanese religion is a

combination of Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.