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

2. What religions to people claim to follow?

3. 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

4. University for training Shinto Priests
Classroom at Kogakkan University

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

6. Torii Gates mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine

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

8. Purification trough at entrance

9. 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

10. Stage for dance or theatrical performances

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

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

13. 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

14. Floats (Mikoshi) for festival parades

15. Fushimi Inari Shrine: hiking trails covered with Torii gates

16. State Shinto Shrines: Ise

17. 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

18. Shrine to Tokugawa Ieyasu in Toshugo

19. Shrine to Emperor Meiji, symbol of modern Japan

20. Hachiman shrine: Hachiman is the spirit of war

21. Yakusumi Shrine: commemorating Japan’s war dead

22. Shinto Wedding procession

23. Shinto Wedding Ceremony

24. Buddhism In Japan
Tendai
Shingon
Nichiren
Pure Land
Zen

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

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

27. Shingon or Esoteric Buddhism
Founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi)

28. 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)

29. Focus on Womb and Diamond Mandalas

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

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

32. 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

33. Developed by Shinran

34. Home altar

35. Recitation of the Nembutsu
Namu Amida Buddha

36. Kannon: the Buddhisattva of compassion: Amida’s assistant

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

38. Sitting in zazen

39. 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

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

41. Typical grave: first cremated then buried

42. 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

43. Tenrikyo

44. “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