SHINTO

__SHINTO NOTES__

Known as “the way of the Gods Worship centers on a vast array of spirits called kami, divinities personifying aspects of the natural world (sky, earth, heavenly bodies and storms) Shinto does not stress life after death Practice: Very ritualistic, offerings of valuables Shinto priests lead ceremonies called masturi

Great Purification Ceremony – confessions of sins committed by individuals and by the nation as a whole, followed by request that Kami remove impure conditions Pray for long life, peace, abundant harvest, and good health In the 6th century the religion, which until then had been nameless was named Shinto to distinguish it from Confucianism and Buddhism. However, Conf and Budd came to over shadow Shinto

A new form of Shinto was adopted in the 9th century under a doctrine that united Buddhism and Shinto under the name “Ryobu Shinto –Shinto of two Kinds Buddhism along with elements of Confucianism dominated Shinto

IN the 18th century Shinto was revived as an important national religion through the teachings of Mabuchi (1697?-1769) and Motoori Noringa (1730-1801) This was a very nationalistic form of Shinto and revered Japanese antiquity while scorning foreign influences such as Buddhism. 1867 when the emperor was restored to power, new Shinto said that he ruled by divine right granted by the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami Now believed that Japanese where superior because they descended from gods This was put to an end at the end of World War II with the fall of the Japanese empire

Put to an end after WWII || Number of private sects founded by private people, variations of Shinto text ||  ||
 * State Shinto || Sectarian Shinto ||  ||
 * Nationalistic, paid for by the Imperial Government

After the War State Shinto was outlawed by the Allies, use of Shinto symbols for nationalistic reasons was forbidden Broken up into five groups 1) adherents to ancient Shinto 2) adherents to Confucian ehthics 3) devotees of faith healing 4) people who worship mountains 5) those that are devoted to purification rights late 80’s 100 million Japanese participated in Shinto sects 3.1 mil said sole or major religion