Practices, Ceremonies, Rituals and Festivals

 PRACTICES

 What is a Religious Practice? The act of rehearsing a religion’s traditional, moral and ethical beliefs.  Shinto practices commemorate kami  Take place mostly in Shrines  Ties in and incorporates rituals  Major theme: purification (the act of removing uncleanliness to show devotion to the kami) Shinto Practices

  Shinto’s main religious practice  Omairi means “participation”  Done by visiting Shrines  Way of paying respect to kami Omairi

  Rite of ritual purification (major theme in Shinto religion)  Ceremony of offerings and prayers of many forms Harae

  Means water purification  Practice of purification  Done whilst reciting prayers (defined to this particular practice)  Mostly performed in Shrines or natural settings Misogi

  Ancient Shinto dance  Means “seat of the kami”  Aim is to entertain the kami  Involves a lion mask as image and presence of deity Kagura

 Test Yourself 1.What is a major theme in Shinto practices? 2.What is the meaning of Omairi? 3.Which practice involves an Ancient Shinto dance being performed? 4.What are the aim of practices? 5.Where do they mostly take place?

 1.What is a major theme in Shinto practices? Purification 2.What is the meaning of Omairi? Participation 3.Which practice involves an Ancient Shinto dance being performed? Kagura 4.What are the aim of practices? To commemorate the kami 5.Where do they mostly take place? Shrines Test Yourself Answers

 CEREMONIES

 What are Religious Ceremonies? Religious ceremonies is a formal religious occasion, typically celebrating a particular event of great significance  Spirituality of Shinto revealed through ceremonies  Remained unchanged for thousands of years  Allow adherents to celebrate and give gratitude in order to live joyful and productive lives as part of Divine Nature  Enhances connection with the kami  Cover significant life events  Performed by Shinto priests Shinto Ceremonies

  Cover a range of personal and social concerns  Builds closer connection with the kami Kito (Prayer Ceremonies)

  HATSUMIYAMAIRI 1st shrine visit of a newborn baby  SHICHI-GO-SAN MAIRI ceremony for boys ages 3 and 5 and girls ages 3 and 7 to pray for continued health and safe growth and development  SEIJINSHIKI coming of age rite (age 20)  SHINZEN KEKKON SHIKI Wedding Ceremony Jensei Girei (Life Cycle Rites)

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  Most significant ceremony in Shinto religion  Initiates individuals, welcoming them into adult Japanese society  Represents an important milestone Coming of Age Ceremony

 The following link below shows an example of a Shinto ceremony. Watch carefully and note any distinctive features you see. Shinto Ceremonies in Action

 1.What is the major aim of ceremonies? 2.What is revealed through these ceremonies? 3.Name three major ceremonies in the Shinto Religion. 4.Name the most significant Shinto ceremony. 5.Who are they conducted by? Test Yourself

 1.What is the major aim of ceremonies? Enhances connection with kami 2.What is revealed through these ceremonies? Spirituality of Shinto 3.Name three major ceremonies in the Shinto Religion. * Can be any of the ones mentioned above* 4.Name the most significant Shinto ceremony. Coming of Age Ceremony 5.Who are they conducted by? Shinto Priests Test Yourself Answers

 RITUALS

 What are Religious Rituals? Religious rituals consist of a series of actions performed according to traditional order  Taking part in rituals beings Shinto unites community  Entertain the Kami and people  Communication with the kami takes place here  Most common type involve purification; life cycle rituals also prominent themes Shinto Rituals

 Rituals examined on number of levels including:  Jinja Shinto- takes place at Shrines  Minzoku Shinto- relates to folk religion in Japan  Koshitsu Shinto- practiced at national level Refer to the “Shinto Practices” slides for specific rituals carried out by Shinto adherents Shinto Rituals cont.

 1.Rinsing of mouths and washing of hands 2.Worshippers proceed to Haiden (prayer hall) 3.Clap their hands 2 times (alerts kami) 4.Devotees bow deeply in respect of kami Entering the Shrine

 Place the following images in order in which Shinto adherents enter shrines. Activity:

 Answers

 FESTIVALS “Matsuri”

 What are Religious Festivals? Religious festivals are days or periods of celebration to commemorate something in particular  Vary from community to community  Features dancers, boats and bonfires  Typically involve food offerings, procession of kami in palanquins and ritual prayers  Includes visits to local shrines Shinto Festivals

  A large festival with large attendance  Involves people thinking about the kami and making resolutions for New Year Oshogatsu-New Year

  Coming of Age celebration Sejin Shiki-Adults Day

  Festival surrounding the planting of crops  Spring is a time of many festivities  Yellow and red are typically worn (to represent presence of the kami in Spring) Haru Matsuri- Spring Festival

  A time to thank the kami for a good harvest  Blue and red are typically worn (to represent the presence of the kami in Autumn) Aki Matsuri- Autumn Festival

  This is when parents give thanks and appreciation for the life of their children  Pray for their futures  Visit the local Shrine Shichigosan

  Annual festival  Celebrated on day relevant to Shrine in which it takes place  White is usually worn by adherents on this day Rei-Sai

 As a class place the following images in the most appropriate slide. Activity: 1. 2.

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 1. Haru-Matsuri 2. Sejin Shiki 3. Shichigosan 4. Oshogatsu 5. Rei-Sai 6. Aki Matsuri Answers