Transcript SHINTOISM

SHINTOISM
The Way of the Gods
Japan’s Official
Religion
Geography of Japan
 Archipelago
 Volcanoes
 Mountainous
 Oceans
 Little Arable Land
 Lacks Natural Resources
Why Shintoism in Modern Japan?
1. Early Japanese lived isolated Clans Lived in
Mountain Valleys
2. Each clan had its own kami
3. A kami is a nature deity or spirit
4. Creator Gods
EMPEROR is a god?
1. The Yamato Clan
claimed to descend
from the Sun
Goddess Amaratsu
2. Hence“Land of the
Rising Sun”
3. Until 1945,
Emperor was
worshipped as a
god.
EMPEROR AKIHITO
TODAY THE EMPEROR
OF JAPAN HOLDS ONLY A
SYMBOLIC POSITION OF
POWER – A FIGUREHEAD.
DIET (PARLIAMENT)
THE PRIME MINISTER IS
CHOSEN FROM THE
MAJORITY PARTY IN
THE LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH.
SHINTO SHRINES
SHINTO WEDDING
ZEN
BUDDHIST
FUNERAL
Japan Borrowed from Chinese Buddhist Traditions
Japan Borrowed and Adapted
ZEN BUDDHISM
Shintoism is very open and
therefore, can mix with other
philosophies
Zen Rock Garden

Calligraphy at a Zen Temple
Zen Buddhism
1. Buddhism began in
northern
India/Nepal
2. Spread to China
3. “Chan Buddhism”
mixed Daoism with
Buddhism
4. In Japan, it became
Zen
WHAT IS THE
SOUND
OF
ONE HAND
CLAPPING?
SHINTO is the National Religion of
Japan.
The Japanese do not adhere to one set
of beliefs. They have also added
Confucian and Buddhist practices.
Together, Shinto and Zen Buddhism
reflect the Japanese reverence toward
all things in Nature.
CHADO or SADO
HAIKU POETRY
An old wooded pond.
Suddenly a frog leaps outKersplash
!
Then ripples.
IKEBANA – Flower Arranging
Japanese Gardening
BONZAI
SUMO
SAMURAI:
The Way of the Warrior