Nature, Spirits and Man— Shinto and Buddhism Japanese Religion Nature, Spirits and Man— Shinto and Buddhism

What religions to people claim to follow?

What is Shinto? Native religion of Japan Kami or spirits reside in nature and in people Nature is sacred Purity is good and pollution is bad Morality is based upon that which benefits the group Right practice and attitude, not belief

University for training Shinto Priests Classroom at Kogakkan University

Shinto Shrine: used for ceremonies and individual worship Each shrine has certain component parts

Torii Gates mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine

Komainu (Guardian dogs) at the entrance to the shrine At Inari shrines, the guardians are foxes

Purification trough at entrance

Main or Offering Hall: sometimes two halls, sometimes together The Main Hall (Honden) houses the shrines treasures The Offering Hall (Haiden) is where devotees pray

Stage for dance or theatrical performances

Ema: wooden plates for writing requests of the spirits Most people wish for health, wealth, happiness, children, passing exams, love, or success in business

Omikuji: fortune telling strips These slips, drawn at random, are tied around tree branches: this makes good fortune happen and averts bad fortune

Shimenawa: a straw rope with white paper strips (Gohei) Marks the boundary to a sacred place The highest ranked sumo wrestlers wear a form of these during ritual ceremonies

Floats (Mikoshi) for festival parades

Fushimi Inari Shrine: hiking trails covered with Torii gates

State Shinto Shrines: Ise

Izumo: Japans oldest shrine and the annual gathering place of 8 million kami Dedicated to Okuninushi no Mikoto, nephew of the sun goddess and the patron of marriage

Shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu in Toshugo

Shrine to Emperor Meiji, symbol of modern Japan

Hachiman shrine: Hachiman is the spirit of war

Yakusumi Shrine: commemorating Japan’s war dead

Shinto Wedding procession

Shinto Wedding Ceremony

Buddhism In Japan Tendai Shingon Nichiren Pure Land Zen

Tendai Founded by Saicho Brought back teachings from China Established monastery on Mt. Hiei Lotus Sutra central text All persons can achieve enlightenment

Mt. Hiei remained the center of Buddhism until it burned in the 16th century

Shingon or Esoteric Buddhism Founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi)

Shingon: True words Kukai studied under Hui Ko in China and became his disciple Enlightenment can be achieved by all but only with the help of a master The body , speech , and mind must work together Founded monastery on Mt. Koya (rival to Mt. Hiei)

Focus on Womb and Diamond Mandalas

Nichiren Buddhism: a Japanese original Founded by Nichiren Nichi:Japan Ren:Lotus

Focus on the Lotus Sutra and Mantras (chanting) Namu Myoho Rengekyo

Pure Land (Jodo) Buddhism founded by Honen Emphasis on difficulty of individual effort Reliance on Amida Buddha Goal: rebirth in Western paradise Means: recitation of Mantra

Developed by Shinran

Home altar

Recitation of the Nembutsu Namu Amida Buddha

Kannon: the Buddhisattva of compassion: Amida’s assistant

Zen Buddhism Brought from China by Dogen and others Focus on meditation and enlightenment

Sitting in zazen

What is a Koan? Aid to meditation Question or puzzle that can’t solve with reason Out of frustration comes another kind of awareness Only used by some sects of Zen

Buddhism: a monopoly of death Jizo (Lord of the underworld and rebirth) statues

Typical grave: first cremated then buried

New Religions Many sects arising from Shinto and Buddhism beginning in the 19th century. All have charismatic founder who underwent great trauma Believe a deity speaks directly to the founder Believe in universal message

Tenrikyo

“Lead the joyous life” Founded by Miki Nakayama God the parent wants people to by joyful Joy is lost by self centered thoughts Correct by service to others and worship of God the parent