What is Shinto? Maybe it was one of the questions that ever come to your head. Maybe some of you ever hear about it, may be some never heard about it before. This time I want to explain you about Shinto so you will know more.
Shinto is one of the dominant religions in Japan. Shinto can be said as an original religion from Japan. Shinto was generally translated as “The Way of the Gods”. In daily activities, Shinto is a mixture of religious, beliefs and practices.
The Shinto was first mentioned in 720 in the Nihon shoki, Japan’s earliest historical history. It is different from other religions in this world. Shinto does not have organized body of teachings. No one knows who the historical founder is, and there is no moral code. It focuses on worship of nature, ancestors, and kami. Kami is sacred spirits or gods that represent aspects of the natural world. From 1868 to 1945, under the Japanese imperial government, Shinto was Japan’s state religion but after World War II, the government separated Shinto from state support.
According to Shintoism, the Emperor was a living god that comes directly from Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess. Amaterasu Omikami is trusted as a founder of the Japanese nation. The word kamikaze comes from the words for 'divine wind', which the kami, or spiritual forces, were expected to send to keep Japan safe from foreign people.
The name Shinto was created for the local religion in Japan. Its aim is to make it different from Buddhism and Confucianism that had been introduced from China, in the late 6th century AD. Sometimes Shinto becomes the overshadowed by Buddhism and the native gods were considered as expression of Buddha in a previous time of existence.
There are "Four Main Things" in Shinto: Tradition and the family, Love of nature, Physical cleanliness, and Matsuri.
Tradition and the family: The family is as the main instrument with traditions is in it. Their main celebrations are birth and marriage.
Love of nature: Nature is blessed; nature is to be close to the Gods.
Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.
"Matsuri": Kami should be worshipped and given honor.
As a conclusion, Shinto is a main religion of Japan. The followers are trusted in kami and Matsuri.
Bibliography
Harmon, Jane. What is Shintoism? http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-shintoism.htm. Accessed on September 25,2007.
Robinson, B.A. Shinto. http://www.religioustolerance.org/shinto.htm
Shinto. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shintoism. Accessed on September 25, 2007.
Sivananda, Sri Swami. Shintoism. http://www.dlshq.org/religions/shintoism.htm. Accessed on September 25, 2007.