The Religious Significance Of Buddhism In Kumano Kodo In Japan

Shintoism and Buddhism The Japanese religions, including Shintosim and Buddhism, are rich and complex, and it contains many condradictory trends which may puzzle a Westerner. In the center of the tradition is Shinto, the "natural" religion of Japan. Also in the center is Buddhism, the Indian religion that was brought to Japan in the sixth century from Korea and China. Throughout the history of Japan, it has been these two religions that have contributed most to the Japanese understanding of themselves and their surroundings, and also to many important events.

people find it very important to observe the religious decrees and go every Sunday to meditate. A younger Japanese woman who worked in one of the shops seemed to think otherwise, as she expressed that nobody really follows the customs anymore, but certainly like to profess it. She continued by saying, “The only time we really care is during funerals”, but during weddings they are seen in churches wearing American style gowns, bearing a mark of Judeo-Christian Western ideology. Although Buddhism is widely recognized to be the major religion among the Japanese, some of the smaller religions like Shinto and Christianity bring in a small following also, just not in Little Tokyo. Strolling along the Plaza, I encountered a pleasant Japanese American student in her mid-20s who had come all the way from Orange County. She told

Shintoism: Firstly, the traditions within Shintoism were important to help the Japanese people to connect with their ancestors and the nature around them. The word ‘Shinto’ itself means way of the gods. It is as old as the Japanese culture and was the only religion in Japan until the 6th century. According to the Shinto religion, there exists a basic life force called kami. Kami are close to human beings and respond to human prayers. They can influence the course of natural forces, and human events. Shinto tradition says that there are eight million kami in Japan. Due to their deep respect and love for nature and Japan itself, many shrines were set up in places of natural beauty. Followers went to pray here to receive good fortune and samurai would often go to the shrines to pray for victory before and after battle. Shinto’s traditions involved having a clean lifestyle. They washed and bathed everyday which made most of japan a fresh

There are many aspects of this world such as culture, technology, or art that have been influenced by other things. The way that things influence each other has allowed for new possibilities and ideals to be formed. Religion is no exception; there have been many instances where religions have influenced

“The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed” ~Buddha. Out of the abounding religions in the world the 6th most practiced of all the religion is Buddhism, or the worship of the god Buddha. Buddhism has had a colossal effect on the Asian culture and it has had an effect on the way that we (as American citizens) view the Asian culture and the beliefs of Asian men and women. This paper is about into how the culture of Asia has been changed because of the Buddhists believes. Also how their temples have shaped the way that we as Americans view Asian architecture or the kind of things that are in Asia that are because of Buddhism. Many different

Shintoism is an ancient religion that originated in Japanese culture. Shinto is a general term for the activities of the people of Japanese descent to worship all the deities of heaven and earth, and at the end of the 6th century the Japanese were conscious of these activities and called

WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE? A pilgrimage is both an inward and outward journey, both spiritual and physical, people who set on these journeys seek to strengthen and renew their faith. God calls on a person inviting them to come on this journey in order to know God more fully and to follow in the footsteps of Christ by forming a strong relationship with god which offers a person true freedom, a Christian pilgrimage can be seen as life long journey.

In the Shinto religion or way of life-life of the gods/kami, they too have a concept of heaven and earth. Heaven is symbolic to that which is powerful, high and open, signifying male-right-or yang= Izanagi. Coincidently, the Earth signifies humility and is covered (3/4th water) with gentleness-women-left, or yin= Izanami. The Samurai respected these principles highly and ritually, dedicated with his life and sword, the Koto/Katana and scabbard Saya. This practice was developing along with the life style of Shinto and the Buddhist religion and traditional Confucianism and from this created the practice of Iai-do-Jitsu, the way of the samurai and later the practice of “Kendo-Jitsu, the way of the Black Sword.” (Ready to die, being born with sword in hand and knowledge in

This assignment inquires into four published articles that proclaim on results from inquest conducted on what the Shinto religion is, their past beliefs with how that has affected their new beliefs and their old and new rituals. The articles, however, fluctuate in their definitions of when Shintoism started being recorded.

Shrines are sacred places because of there connection to religious event, a saint, a holy relic, or the presence of a god (Bellows,201). They can be temples or caves, in cities or in the wilderness. Shrines are considered ancient landmarks for places where religions may have lived or died. A place where a miracle is said to have occurred or some divine manifestations. Shrines are sacred for a variety of reasons, but all have a sacred connection.

There are many different religions with many different beliefs, traditions, practices, and rituals. These differences are a very important part of understanding and appreciating the culture and history behind the specific religion. However, the practices that certain religions have in common can aid even more in furthering the understanding of specific beliefs of other religions. Since most religions cultivate from the practices and beliefs of other religions, they use those core values and beliefs and transform them into what they believe is a better way practicing. Religions use similarities within each other and twist them into their own. There are certain beliefs within every religion that shape their practices such as their morals or their most essential or absolute value, their position on human beings’ problems and solutions, and their view on life and death within their religion. Pure Land Buddhism (a form of Mahayana Buddhism) and Vaishnavites (a group within Hinduism) are great examples of this very concept.

Shinto is the oldest religion in Japan. In this religion, members worship deceased family and various gods that represent nature. Shinto differs from most of the other major religions since it does not have founder, prophets, nor does it have a “major text which outlines its principal beliefs.” Shinto’s longevity is due to its flexibility to adapt and become interwoven with the Japanese culture. In fact, much of what the Japanese people highly value in a person’s character comes from Shinto’s key concepts. Some of the Shinto’s key concepts are the importance of purity, physical well-being, harmony, procreation and fertility, family and ancestral solidarity, subordination of the individual to the group, and the reverence of nature. They also believe that all things have the “potential for both good and bad,” and that the soul of the deceased can have a huge influence on the living.

When approaching the shrine of a Kami, it is custom to wash the hands and mouth with water from a chozuya, or pavilion for cleansing one’s self (Nakano, para 5). It is then custom to bow at the altar and ring the bell to call the deities attention (Nakano, para 5). Before beginning the prayer, a small offering is made to the Kami (Nakano, para 5). It is then custom bow twice, with the first bow being at 90 degrees to show respect to the deity, and clap twice (Nakano, para 5). Then the hands are placed together and the right hand is shifted down slightly (Nakano, para 5). Then the person claps and is purified by otodama. A small prayer to the Kami may then be made When finished, it is customary to bow at 90 degrees, back up three steps and bow again, making sure that you do not turn your back to the deity of the shrine (Nakano, para 5). This process shows the strength of the Shinto religion by the people of Japan, and the necessary rituals they undergo to pay respect to a Kami or spirit. These ancient customs have been passed down from generation to generation and continue to this day in the same manor that they were conducted hundreds of years ago (Nakano, para 5).

First, let’s talk about Ise Jingu situated in Japan. It is the largest Shinto shrine located in the city of Ise. Millions of people make their pilgrimage to this shrine for either tourism or religious purposes. It holds a lot of both spiritual and historical value of Japan. Spiritually as the shrine was made in light of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu Omikami, and the traditional progenitor of the imperial Japanese family, later another God Toyaku Okami being another sacred being, being worshipped. (Pletcher) The architectural design of the shrine consists of many rows of buildings but the most distinct are two large huts, being the inner (Naiku) and outer shrine (Geku). (Pletcher) Naiku was first constructed, which had the Goddess of Amaterasu, later Geku with the intention of worshipping Toyaku Okami, the god of food and benevolence. (Pletcher) The shrine is surrounded by a thick forest, which the buildings were made from. Using the essence of nature, or “ke”, the priests and priestesses used the surrounding trees as the buildings blocks of the shrine, as the trees had much devotion and spirituality of the Japanese people.

Buddhism: Buddhism was one of the main religions in Japan. Buddhism arrived to Japan in 538 A.D from Korea. Japanese uses this as a secondary religion. The first religion is Shinto (神道). But They still reinforce this religion a lot throughout all of japan.