1. Japanese Religion

2. Shinto
(Way of the Gods)

3. religion of festivals and rituals (many promote fertility)
no founder, sacred books, or teachers
worship of kami (spirits who control the forces of nature) and ancestral spirits (clan gods and goddesses)
reverence for nature

4. Relation to Royal Family
Yamato rulers were priest chiefs.
First emperors claimed decent from Amaterasu – Sun Goddess and leading Shinto deity.

5. Emphasis on Purification
water
salt
sake

6. Things that Pollute
dirt
blood
exposure to death

7. Worship is done at shrines, which are located at special places (mountains, rocks, trees, streams) and identified by a torii (wooden arch) and gohei (zigzag paper).

10. What to do at a shrine:
Get clean by rinsing with water, taking a shot of sake, or rubbing salt on your hands.
Get kami’s attention by clapping and bowing.
Give offering: coins, rice, sake, fruit, or other food.
Clap and bow again before leaving.

15. Buddhism

18. Mahayana Buddhism was introduced in 552CE from Korea.
concept of bodhisattvas (enlightened ones who delay accession to nirvana in order to help other humans)

19. Zen Buddhism 12th century
Emphasized meditation, austerity, self-discipline, devotion to duty, unity of nature
Zazen (seated zen or meditation)
Koans (unanswerable riddles)
Zen monasteries were centers of learning and the arts

21. Pure Land Buddhism 13th century
rejection of monastic life (celibate and vegetarian)
devotion alone could lead to enlightenment
call faithfully on Amida (another Buddha) and he will lead you to the Pure Land
very popular among the common people

22. gate looks like a building & statues are common
Buddhist Temples
gate looks like a building & statues are common

26. Buddha’s Nostril

30. What to do at a Temple Ring a bell – do not clap
Leave flowers or a coin or burn incense

32. Shopping Opportunities

33. Japanese Gardens

34. Pure Land
vision of paradise
lush, manicured landscape

45. Zen designed to stimulate and support meditation
simple: few (if any) plants, large rocks and gravel dominate