Japanese Religion

Shinto(Way of the Gods)

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

Relation to Royal Family Yamato rulers were priest

chiefs. First emperors claimed decent

from Amaterasu – Sun Goddess and leading Shinto deity.

Emphasis on Purificationwatersaltsake

Things that Pollute

dirtbloodexposure to death

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).

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.

Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism was introduced in 552CE from Korea.

concept of bodhisattvas (enlightened ones who delay accession to nirvana in order to help other humans)

Zen Buddhism12th 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

Pure Land Buddhism13th 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

Buddhist Temples

gate looks like a building & statues are common

Buddha’s Nostril

What to do at a Temple

Ring a bell – do not clap

Leave flowers or a coin or burn incense

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Japanese Gardens

Pure Land

vision of paradise lush, manicured

landscape

Zen designed to

stimulate and support meditation

simple: few (if any) plants, large rocks and gravel dominate