2007-02-23 01:40:25 · 2 answers · asked by ebonygirl1011 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Shinto is more complex than that... in fact many people believe that Shinto is a system made up to frighten the peasantry to submission to their lords as well as to the fantastic nature spirits...
there are a brother and sister creators ... names I can't recall...
it is animist, with ancestor worship...
kami (gods) are local and can be regarded as the spiritual being/spirit or genius of a particular place, but other ones represent major natural objects and processes
* Shrine Shinto (神社神道, jinja-shintō?) is the oldest and most prevalent of the Shinto types. It has always been a part of Japan's history and constitutes the main current of Shinto tradition.
* Sect Shinto (宗派神道, shūha-shintō?)is comprised of 13 groups formed during the 19th century. They do not have shrines, but conduct religious activities in meeting halls. Shinto sects include the mountain-worship sects, who focus on worshipping mountains like Mt. Fuji, faith-healing sects, purification sects, Confucian sects, and Revival Shinto sects. Konkōkyō, Tenrikyō, and Kurozumikyō, although operating separately from modern Shinto, are considered to be forms of Sect Shinto.
* Folk Shinto (民俗神道, minzoku-shintō?) includes the numerous but fragmented folk beliefs in deities and spirits. Practices include divination, spirit possession, and shamanic healing. Some of their practices come from Taoism, Buddhism, or Confucianism, but most come from ancient local traditions.
* State Shinto (国家神道, kokka-shintō?) was the result of the Meiji Restoration and the downfall of the shogunate. The Meiji restoration attempted to purify Shinto by abolishing many Buddhist and Confucian ideals; also, the Emperor was once again considered divine. After Japan's defeat in World War II, State Shinto was abolished and the Emperor was forced to renounce his divine right.
it is very pagan-esque as well
* Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.
* Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the kami. Natural objects are worshipped as containing sacred spirits.
* Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.
* "Matsuri": Any festival dedicated to the Kami, of which there are many each year.
2007-02-23 01:46:58 · answer #1 · answered by Invisible_Flags 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
warlordism
2007-02-23 01:46:28 · answer #2 · answered by wb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋