Shinto is “the way of the kami”, “ways of honoring the spirits in nature” (Fisher, p. 214.) Shinto is the term normally used in English to refer to the indigenous religious traditions of Japan, in contrast to religious traditions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism imported from the mainland Asia. Ancient Shinto had a very positive attitude towards nature and life, somewhat similar to that aboriginal people!
Read Pat Fisher, “Shinto”, pages 214-230.
1. Shinto is from the Chinese Shendao, ‘the way (dao) of the spirits (shen)’, or ‘the way of gods’. Another word used, actually a phrase, in Japan to refer to this religion is Kaminomichi (or kami no michi) meaning ‘the way of gods (kami)’. Shinto is a nature religion.
2. Shinto: “Shin” means divine being and “Do” means the way. Way of the “divine being”!
3. Major classics of Shintoism:
Read Pat Fisher, “Shinto”, pages 214-230.
1. Shinto is from the Chinese Shendao, ‘the way (dao) of the spirits (shen)’, or ‘the way of gods’. Another word used, actually a phrase, in Japan to refer to this religion is Kaminomichi (or kami no michi) meaning ‘the way of gods (kami)’. Shinto is a nature religion.
2. Shinto: “Shin” means divine being and “Do” means the way. Way of the “divine being”!
3. Major classics of Shintoism:
a. Kojiki.
b. Nihnongi.
(These classics were probably were also influenced by Buddhist, Confucian, Korean, and Chinese thoughts. Certainly the Daoistic yin-yang and the five agents – metal, wood, water, fire, and earth – are now part of Shinto beliefs and practices expressed in these classics.)
4. The sensitivity to natural beauty is retained among the Japanese people despite the industrialization. This sensitivity to beauty is “expressed” in some of the small arts:
4. The sensitivity to natural beauty is retained among the Japanese people despite the industrialization. This sensitivity to beauty is “expressed” in some of the small arts:
a. Rock gardening.
b. Flower arranging.
c. Tea ceremony – paying attention to the simple things!
d. Poetry – haiku.
(Is this involvement in simple art a Zen influence or a Shinto impact?)
5. In Japanese mythology:
5. In Japanese mythology:
a. Deity gives birth to many “kami”, spirit or spirits, a single phenomenon found in the entire creation!
b. Nature, including the humans, is created!
c. There is a kinship among all created things including humans and the rest of the natural world!
d. Emperor is also revered as “kami”!
6. When a human follows the “kami” then that person is in harmony with nature, which is the purpose of human life according to the Shintoism!
7. Shrine worship is popular in Shinto practice. There is said to be 100,000 Shinto shrines – small and big – in Japan, suggesting the Japanese awareness of the “kami”! The Japanese believe it is “kami” that decides on the location where a shrine is built.
8. In these shrines the Japanese turn to “kami” for various reasons such as:
6. When a human follows the “kami” then that person is in harmony with nature, which is the purpose of human life according to the Shintoism!
7. Shrine worship is popular in Shinto practice. There is said to be 100,000 Shinto shrines – small and big – in Japan, suggesting the Japanese awareness of the “kami”! The Japanese believe it is “kami” that decides on the location where a shrine is built.
8. In these shrines the Japanese turn to “kami” for various reasons such as:
a. To honor “kami” for protection of a particular locality!
b. For healing.
c. Seeking protection for crops from pests.
9. The variety of “kami” found in Japanese society, each with a shrine, or several shrines, include the following:
9. The variety of “kami” found in Japanese society, each with a shrine, or several shrines, include the following:
a. Inari is “kami” dedicated to rice cultivation!
b. Hachiman is the “kami” of war!
c. Tenjin is the “kami” of students and learning!
d. Sengen, the guardian “kami” of Mount Fuji!
e. Ameraterasu, goddess of the sun, is perhaps the most important of all the “kami”, believed to have created the Japanese people!
(Obviously before “shrines” were built certain trees and groves would have been considered “sacred spaces” as you find in most world religions!)
10. Today the “kami” of a place may be interpreted in terms of “energy”! Fisher writes: “The kami of a place may be experienced as energies rather than pictured as forms. At times Shinto has been strongly iconoclastic (opposed to images of the divine).” [A good introduction to such thoughts is found in the 1993 novel titled The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield]
11. You may note Shintoism has no historical founder, no official scriptures, and no official teachings (doctrines). But they do have “hereditary priests” whose functions are two fold:
10. Today the “kami” of a place may be interpreted in terms of “energy”! Fisher writes: “The kami of a place may be experienced as energies rather than pictured as forms. At times Shinto has been strongly iconoclastic (opposed to images of the divine).” [A good introduction to such thoughts is found in the 1993 novel titled The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield]
11. You may note Shintoism has no historical founder, no official scriptures, and no official teachings (doctrines). But they do have “hereditary priests” whose functions are two fold:
a. Performing the rituals. The rituals are done with great precision – bowing, clapping of hands, beating of drums, waving of a stick with paper strips, and so on. This includes also the “right Shinto priest”.
b. Facilitating communication with kami.
12. People usually do not use specific prayers for help but a “reverent recognition” of the relationship with the kami.
13. Worship in a home: Space for worship is usually a shelf with a miniature shrine that has a little mirror. Offerings are placed: “rice for health, water for cleansing and preservation of life, and salt for harmonious seasoning of life”. [Read Fisher, page 219.]
14. There are about thirteen sects formed since mid 1800’s. They differ from the traditional Shinto mainly in terms of emphasis on Mount Fuji and healing. Some also emphasize collaborating with Confucian thoughts.
Questions to Explore:
1. What is “aikido”? How does the Shinto priest Hitoshi Iwasaki experience “kami” and promote the cause of “kami” among Japanese living in North America? [Read Fisher, page, 228]
12. People usually do not use specific prayers for help but a “reverent recognition” of the relationship with the kami.
13. Worship in a home: Space for worship is usually a shelf with a miniature shrine that has a little mirror. Offerings are placed: “rice for health, water for cleansing and preservation of life, and salt for harmonious seasoning of life”. [Read Fisher, page 219.]
14. There are about thirteen sects formed since mid 1800’s. They differ from the traditional Shinto mainly in terms of emphasis on Mount Fuji and healing. Some also emphasize collaborating with Confucian thoughts.
Questions to Explore:
1. What is “aikido”? How does the Shinto priest Hitoshi Iwasaki experience “kami” and promote the cause of “kami” among Japanese living in North America? [Read Fisher, page, 228]
2. Explain in detail the Shinto purification ceremony by the waterfall. What kind of relevance do you see for someone in North America today?
3. Explain the following concepts: a. Kami; b. Aikido; c. Misogi; d. Shinto Shrine; and e. Shinto Clergy.
3. Explain the following concepts: a. Kami; b. Aikido; c. Misogi; d. Shinto Shrine; and e. Shinto Clergy.
4. What is tsumi? Why and how do the Shinto practitioners use a misogi?
