Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity Japanese Religion Shinto, Buddhism, and Christianity

Early Japan 10,000-300 BC: Lived in Kingdoms organized around clans. Hunters Gatherers Skilled Fisherman Lived in Kingdoms organized around clans. Led by a chief (inherits the position) 250 AD Yamato Clan most powerful Clan in Japan

Outside Influence Learned about bronze & iron from Koreas and China and how to grow rice Koreans introduce a religious concept called Buddhism (originated in China) China starts to play a major role in Japan’s culture

Shinto  Earthquakes, volcanoes, and typhoons make Japan a land of many violent forces. The ancient Japanese developed a great respect for nature. Their beliefs are called "Shinto," or the "way of the gods."

The ancient Japanese believed the gods created Japan as a special group of islands. They sent many kami, or lesser gods, to govern the land. Kami were supernatural forces with power over the mountains, the forests, the winds, and the sea. Shinto teaches that the world is filled with spirits that reside in nature.

Nature kami live in sacred stones, trees, mountains and other aspects of nature.  Clan kami, which are the guardian deities of specific clans.   Another kami is the ta no kami, which is the god of the rice paddies.  This kami is worshipped at rice planting and harvest festivals.

The word Shinto is comprised of two Chinese characters and is often translated as "the way of the gods."  The first character, when used alone, is pronounced kami, which means "god, deity" or "divine power" and the second character means "way" or "path.

Similar to Ancient Greek Gods The heavenly divinities who live on the Takamagahara (High Celestial Plain) are those kami that are similar to gods in the Western sense.  These kami are led by Amaterasu Omikami, the goddess who is worshipped at the Ise Shrine, which is the central shrine of Shinto.

Two books, Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan). Mythical age of gods and tell how the jami Izanagi and Izanami made the Japanese Islands and the Gods

The Central Gods: Amaterasu Omikami (sun goddess) Tsukuyomi no Mikoto (moon god) Susanoo no Mikoto (god of storms)

It is said that the great-great-grandson of Amaterasu Omikami (sun goddess) is Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first sovereign of Japan. The Shinto religion doesn't have any official sacred scriptures.  Instead of emphasizing moral commandments, Shinto focuses on ritual purity and cleanliness in dealing with the kami

Buddhism Introduced to Japan after the king of Paekche in Korea sent a Buddha statue and copies of sutras to the Japanese emperor during the 6th century.  Prince Shotoku (574-622) is considered to be the true founder of Buddhism though.  It was through his imperial support that major temples were built, such as Horyuji (in present day Nara Prefecture).

Prince Shotoku Student of Chinese literature and culture. Established relations w/ China Sent priests and students to study culture

Heian Age 794-1185 AD Emperor Kammu built a new capital called Heian-kyo Considered the Golden Age of Japan 100,000 people aristocrats, servants and artisans Women wrote diaries, letters, etc Lady Murasaki Shikibu world’s 1st novel “The Tale of Genji” about life in Heian-kyo

Heian-kyo Court 1st place Buddhism established in Japan Emperor Shomu (701-756) made Buddhism the official state religion and built the temple Todaiji at Nara along with its huge statue of Buddha.

Zen Buddhism Most influential in Japan Achieve enlightenment suddenly instead of many years of painful study To reach enlightenment focus intensely to understand certain concepts, KOANZ Koanz: statements/questions that seem to make little or no sense Ex: What is the sound of one hand clapping?

Hondo Main Hall The sacred objects of worship, such as statues, are displayed in the main hall. In Japanese, main halls are usually called kondo, hondo, butsuden, amidado or hatto.

Kodo Lecture halls are for meetings and lectures and often also display objects of worship. Lecture halls are called kodo

Pagoda The pagoda, a structure that has evolved from the Indian stupa, usually comes with three (sanju no to) or five (goju no to) stories. Pagodas store remains of the Buddha such as a tooth, usually in form of a representation.

Gates Mark the entrance to the temple grounds. There is usually one main gate, and possibly several additional gates, for example, along the temple's main approach.

Bells On New Year's eve, temple bells are rang 108 times, corresponding to the Buddhist concept of 108 worldly desires.

Cemeteries Most cemeteries in Japan are Buddhist and are located at a temple. The Japanese visit their ancestors' graves on many occasions during the year, especially during the obon.

Christianity Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary, went to Kagoshime in August 1549.  The Jesuit missionary work was concentrated on Kyushu (the southernmost island of Japan) and by 1579 six regional military lords were converted to Christianity. 100,000 Christians 1600, Tokugasa Ieyasu became the de facto ruler of Japan and allowed the missionaries to remain, but 14 years later the government forbade Christianity and forced the missionaries out of the country

Religion in Japan Now 1996 report, about 194,000,000 Japanese are members of both religions, about 54% 2.5 % of Japanese Population are Christians.

Links http://www.bridgewater.edu/~dhuffman/soc306/f02grp5/japanese_architecture2.htm http://www.friesian.com/six.htm