Shintoism In a Nutshell
Shintoism was founded in 660 BC and remains a very popular religion on the well known island of Japan. The population of modern day Shinto believers maxes out at approximately 2,700,000 people, and that's including the entire world. Though this number may be rather large, a good majority of the followers dwell in Japan, where the religion originated. Most of the Shintos beliefs compile up into two written documents called the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. Shintoism, like Buddhism, focuses on good deeds in this life that will supposedly lead to good fortune in the "afterlife".
Shintoists often compare their religion to that of Buddhism which in most cases stresses the importance of preparing for the afterlife. Studies show that Shinto on the other hand concentrates more on the rituals and technical parts of their religion that lead up to the afterlife. This is why many believers are found "on the fence" if you will when it comes to deciding which religion reigns supreme. Some will tell you that Shinto is the way to go, others might say Buddhism is more reliable, and then there are a lot of people who might say they believe in both religions because they are so close to the same.
The main purpose and ultimate reason behind the religion is to eventually make it to the next life with a higher social status. This process and common goal among believers will call this apotheosis. In Shintoism there are rewards for doing good deeds in this life, but then there are also detriments that come with failing to meet the religions standards. If an individual does not meet religious expectations throughout life they will supposedly be sent to yomi. Yomi is almost equivalent to a Christian's Hell, but the physical attributes contradict Hell. Yomi is described as a dark and dreary place that is underground. A river flows between the people who are still living and the people who have died.
All over the island of Japan one would find that Shintoism/Buddhism spreads throughout the region. Evidence would show up mainly in the sacred shrines that are dedicated to worshiping some of the major deities. Shintoism consists of 8 gods. But these gods do not compile up all the beliefs of Shinto. Everyone who believes in this religion also believes that everything around them are filled with spirits they call kami. Kami are generally known to be ancestors, gods and other spiritual beings. These so called shrines are places where a beliver can communicate with their kami.
Some of the simple practices among the Shinto religion are bowing before entering a shrine, washing your hands in a specified sequence of steps and ringing a bell before entering a shrine. Obviously, just by reading these last two paragraphs, you can see how strict and traditional Shintoists actually are. The most important thing about performing these practices is that the ultimate outcome is supposedly a very fortunate afterlife.
Timeline
Beginning of Shinto: 660 BC
Kofun Period: 3rd century-587 BC
Kojiki Written: AD 712
Nihon Shoki Written: AD 720
Nara Period: AD 710-794
Rikkokushi Written: AD 887
Jinnṑ Shṑtṑki Written: 14th Century
State Shinto Period: 1868-1945
Notice how in this timeline given to you, there are so many different written documents that makeup a huge part of Shinto history. Early believers especially thought it important to right down on documents certain events. Studies go to show that anything written down that has meaning and can help us the future is classified as a "historical document".
When it comes to government in Japan, there are a lot of confusing subjects that can be discussed, but let's maintain our focus on the hierarchy, if any, that we see between Shinto and the Japanese government. After World War II the world witnessed how powerful a grip religion had on Japan. Major leaders in Shinto pressed on the government the pressure of making sure they kept their "shrines" pure and clean of all violence. With great debates and a long struggle, Shintoists and the Japanese government finally came up with an agreement.
Some of the important culture behind Shinto is comprised of the fact that today it is called the "religion of Japan", the overall concept of the kami, and the ideas behind the myths of creation. Not very much can be said about what takes place in the shrines other than the common practices because of the personal "connection" that people make with the kami.
There you have it! A basic, fundamental "nutshell" about the Japanese religion of Shinto. From year to year this religion has grown to become a more wide-spread belief. Though some of their beliefs and practices may be far-fetched, the concept remains an interesting conversation piece. Thank for reading and I hope that this helped you!
Shintoists often compare their religion to that of Buddhism which in most cases stresses the importance of preparing for the afterlife. Studies show that Shinto on the other hand concentrates more on the rituals and technical parts of their religion that lead up to the afterlife. This is why many believers are found "on the fence" if you will when it comes to deciding which religion reigns supreme. Some will tell you that Shinto is the way to go, others might say Buddhism is more reliable, and then there are a lot of people who might say they believe in both religions because they are so close to the same.
The main purpose and ultimate reason behind the religion is to eventually make it to the next life with a higher social status. This process and common goal among believers will call this apotheosis. In Shintoism there are rewards for doing good deeds in this life, but then there are also detriments that come with failing to meet the religions standards. If an individual does not meet religious expectations throughout life they will supposedly be sent to yomi. Yomi is almost equivalent to a Christian's Hell, but the physical attributes contradict Hell. Yomi is described as a dark and dreary place that is underground. A river flows between the people who are still living and the people who have died.
All over the island of Japan one would find that Shintoism/Buddhism spreads throughout the region. Evidence would show up mainly in the sacred shrines that are dedicated to worshiping some of the major deities. Shintoism consists of 8 gods. But these gods do not compile up all the beliefs of Shinto. Everyone who believes in this religion also believes that everything around them are filled with spirits they call kami. Kami are generally known to be ancestors, gods and other spiritual beings. These so called shrines are places where a beliver can communicate with their kami.
Some of the simple practices among the Shinto religion are bowing before entering a shrine, washing your hands in a specified sequence of steps and ringing a bell before entering a shrine. Obviously, just by reading these last two paragraphs, you can see how strict and traditional Shintoists actually are. The most important thing about performing these practices is that the ultimate outcome is supposedly a very fortunate afterlife.
Timeline
Beginning of Shinto: 660 BC
Kofun Period: 3rd century-587 BC
Kojiki Written: AD 712
Nihon Shoki Written: AD 720
Nara Period: AD 710-794
Rikkokushi Written: AD 887
Jinnṑ Shṑtṑki Written: 14th Century
State Shinto Period: 1868-1945
Notice how in this timeline given to you, there are so many different written documents that makeup a huge part of Shinto history. Early believers especially thought it important to right down on documents certain events. Studies go to show that anything written down that has meaning and can help us the future is classified as a "historical document".
When it comes to government in Japan, there are a lot of confusing subjects that can be discussed, but let's maintain our focus on the hierarchy, if any, that we see between Shinto and the Japanese government. After World War II the world witnessed how powerful a grip religion had on Japan. Major leaders in Shinto pressed on the government the pressure of making sure they kept their "shrines" pure and clean of all violence. With great debates and a long struggle, Shintoists and the Japanese government finally came up with an agreement.
Some of the important culture behind Shinto is comprised of the fact that today it is called the "religion of Japan", the overall concept of the kami, and the ideas behind the myths of creation. Not very much can be said about what takes place in the shrines other than the common practices because of the personal "connection" that people make with the kami.
There you have it! A basic, fundamental "nutshell" about the Japanese religion of Shinto. From year to year this religion has grown to become a more wide-spread belief. Though some of their beliefs and practices may be far-fetched, the concept remains an interesting conversation piece. Thank for reading and I hope that this helped you!