Shintoism - Iwr

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GOOD MORNING!!

We are the group 6


Members:
Oliveros, Cristian
Mandin, Princess necole
Uyamot, Jomar
Magalzo, Jade
Sotto, Danica
Objectives
l. To provide a detailed overview of the origins and
historical development of Shintoism.
ll.To examine the core beliefs, rituals, and symbols
associated with Shintoism.
lll.To analyze the role of Shintoism in shaping
traditional and modern Japanese values and customs.
SHINTOISM
Shintoism is considered as the very essence of Japanese
devotion to unseen spiritual beings and powers. It is a very local
kind of religion in that it is focused on the land of Japan, hence
an "ethnic religion" that is not interested in missionary activities
so as to spread it outside Japan. Shintoism espouses the belief
that "human beings are basically good and has no concept of
original sin." Unlike other religions, it has no known founder nor
god, and it may be practiced with other religions such as
Buddhism and Daoism.
Itsukushima shrine
This picture shows the entrance to Itsukushima shrine, one of
the most visited places in Japan. Shrines are an important
aspect in Shintoism, considered as the main religion in Japan
which is more closely associated to the Japanese way of life and
traditions. Shinto belief in kami or spirits is reflected in the
numerous shrines they have built to honor the spirits which they
believe can be found in nature, and which still guide their
everyday lives by giving them good fortune and prosperity. In
return, the Japanese people have to perform the necessary
rituals to appease the spirits surrounding them. Purification is a
key concept in Shintoism, that is why much of their rituals make
use of water for cleansing purposes. Ancestor worship is also an
important aspect of Shintoism, as well as showing reverence to
forces of nature, and because Shintoism is considered more as
way of life than a religion, it has co-existed with other religions
in Japan, such as Buddhism ang confucianism.
SYMBOL The Torii Gate is the most common
symbol for Shintoism. It is a sacred
gateway supposed to represent a gate
upon which a cock crew on the occasion
when Amaterasu emerged from the rock
cave and relighted the world. marks the
entrance to a sacred space which is the
Shinto shrine. It repre sents the transition
between the world of humans and the
world of the gods and goddesses. It is
believed to help prepare the visitor for
their interaction with the spirits by
signifying the sacredness of the location.
It is traditionally made of wood or stone,
but now most toriis are made of concrete
and steel.
Sacred Scriptures
KOJIKI
As one of the most important texts on Shintoesm, Kojiki is composed of three books: the first is the age of kami,
which narrates the mythology, while the second and third books discuss the imperial lineage, narrating the eventa
concerning the imperial family up to the death of the thirty-third ruler, Empress Suiko. The third book is concerned
mainly with revolts and love stories of successive rulers intertwined in a song-story format. After providing rich
information about what transpired up to the reign of Emperor Kenzo, genealogy of each imperial family was
discused. The establishment of the three orders are reflected in the three books: the establishment of the under of
the universe, the establishment of the order of humanity, and the estab lishment of the order of history. Even
though it was written at the onset of the spread of Buddhism in Japan and despite the fact that Emperor Genmai, to
whom the Kojies was presented, was a Buddhist, there was no mention of Buddhism in the Kojiki. It just goes to show
that Kojiki is based on the eternal and cyclical world of mythology
Nihon- shoki/ Nihongi
Nihon shoki or Nihongi records the descent of the Yamato rulers of
Japan from the gods. It representa a combination of a political
purpose with folklores and myths. It is believed to have been
completed around 720 C.E. and have become significant in the
restructuring of Japan by the Yamato rulers, even in the saming of the
country as Nippon. It was presented to the court during the reign of
Emperor Gensbo and is comid ered as Japan's first official history
which was completed after 39 years and compiled by Jimmu Temo's
third son, Prince Toneri, along with numerous bureaucrats and
historians. It is composed of 30 books, the first two of which discuss
the age of the kami while the remaining books chronicle the events
pertaining to the rulers up to the 41st emperor.
TYPES OF WORSHIP
At Home (kamidana)

Shintoists often place a small altor ("kami


shelf) inside their homes and this is where
they perform the the following rituals
purification, offertory, lapping their hands
to the kami (who, they believe, could see
and heat what they are doing); and offering
of prayers
A Shinto Shrine
Also called ceremonial worship, this includes a visit to a Stinto shrine
which detaches a worshipper from his or her endinary environment.
In this type of worship, trees in Shinto shrines, particularly the oldest
and most revered ones, have ropes tied to them to siguify reverence
to the presence of kami Shrine visite usually take the following
steper first, one is advised to behave respectfully and calmly (there
are prohibitions for the sick, wounded, or in mourning from visiting
shrines because these people are considered impare). Take the ladle
at the purification fountain, rinse both hands then trans some water
to rinse one's mouth, then spit the water beside the fountain (one
should not transfer the water directly from the ladle to the mouth or
swallow the water). Then throw a coin at the offering box upon
entering the offering hall, bow deeply twice, then clap hands twice,
how deeply again, use the ging, and pray for a while. It is believed
that using the gong before praying attracts the attention of the
kami.
Magical Charms and
Amulets
Aside from worshipping the kami at the shrines, one of the sain
attractions at the shrines is the sale and distribution of charms of
atualeta. Shintoists believe that these amulets provide protection
and ean even be a source of magic. They often carry personal
amulets and their homes are guarded by magical charms in the form
of lintel placards or different talismanic symbols placed on the altars
for their deities. The most consitut Japanese dreigne tion for charm
is mamurt, which they believe provides them with protection and
may include a wide range of objects. Stimpa (gticket or warred
ticket) is the term they use to refer to the magico-religious objects
obtained at the Shinto shrines. These chartus vary in sizes and
shapes.
Seasonal Festival
Japan celebrates numerous festivals (called matsuri) since almost every
shrine has its own festival. Festivals are usually held once a year to celeist
the shrine's kami of a seasonal/historical event. Some of these festivalen
for several days, and they are often done with processiom, with the of the
local kuns carried through dashi or decorated fonts, around town. Some
festivals are serene and pensive while most are lively and loud, with
people playing drums and flutes while on parade. One example of an
impor tant festival in Japan is the Great Purification Festival, which is
celebrated In shrines all over Japan every June and December, with
priests waving a cleansing wand over the people, who rub paper dolls on
their bodies to symbolize the transfer of impurities from their bodies to
the deals, then these dolls are thrown away by the priest. Another
example is the New Year Festival, considered the most extravagant
festival in Japan, which begins on the first day of January and just like
other festivals in Japan, lasts for several days. During this period when
people are still on vacation, they are expected to visit Shinto shrines and
Buddhist temples. On January 7, an enormous banquet is held and this
signifies the start of New Year and the return to their daily lives (Brodd
2009).
Summary
•For Shintoism, human beings need to ensure that they continue to
become part of the natural world, which is considered sacrect human
nature is pure and in the natural state of existence, and people need
to continuously purify themselves through rituals so as to maintain
this purity.

•The goal of every human being is to become part of the natural reaim
through purification rites.
•There is no clear-cut distinction between good and evil in Shintoism,
but there are things which are associated with impurity such as blood
and death thus, it is necessary to perform the appropriate rituals to
purify oneself from these things which are considered mpure.
•As long as people worship the komi, they are protected and
provided for by the kom not performing the necessary
rituals that will appease the kom will certainly not sam the
favor of the spirits
•Living a healthy and bountiful life is more important than
the concept of what will happen in the afterlife; hence,
Shintoism prefers that people live a healthy and prosperous
life here on earth than be concerned with the afterlife.
There is no clear concept of heaven and heil, there is
mention, however, of another world which is inhabited by
the kamc and there is another world connected to the burial
of the dead.
Shintoism is primarily concerned with humanity's lile on
earth than on the afterlife.
Thank
you:)

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