Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 8 Japanese Religions Chapter 8 Japanese Religions.

Exploring the Religions Exploring the Religions of Our Worldof Our World

Exploring the Religions Exploring the Religions of Our Worldof Our World

Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Japanese ReligionsJapanese ReligionsChapter 8 Chapter 8 Japanese ReligionsJapanese Religions


ShintoShintoShintoShinto ConfucianismConfucianismConfucianismConfucianism

BuddhismBuddhismBuddhismBuddhism TaoismTaoismTaoismTaoism

The BasicsThe Basics ShintoShinto (the indigenous religious tradition of (the indigenous religious tradition of

Japan)Japan) emerged from Japan’s prehistory emerged from Japan’s prehistory Japanese religion is an amalgamation of Japanese religion is an amalgamation of

religions:religions:

The BasicsThe Basics ShintoShinto (the indigenous religious tradition of (the indigenous religious tradition of

Japan)Japan) emerged from Japan’s prehistory emerged from Japan’s prehistory Japanese religion is an amalgamation of Japanese religion is an amalgamation of

religions:religions:


Periods of Japanese Religious HistoryPeriods of Japanese Religious HistoryPeriods of Japanese Religious HistoryPeriods of Japanese Religious History

25Page 325Page 325Page 325


HistoryHistory HistoryHistory

The basic myth of the creation of Japan and its people: kami (spirits) emerged just after the beginning of heaven and earth and created other kami

both the mythological and historical emperors of Japan are from an unbroken line originating in the sun goddess

the Japanese have long believed that they, their land, and their emperor, have divine origins, setting them apart from all the world

The basic myth of the creation of Japan and its people: kami (spirits) emerged just after the beginning of heaven and earth and created other kami

both the mythological and historical emperors of Japan are from an unbroken line originating in the sun goddess

the Japanese have long believed that they, their land, and their emperor, have divine origins, setting them apart from all the world


HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)

Chinese Influence:Chinese Influence:

• Japanese indigenous religion adopted the Japanese indigenous religion adopted the Confucian notion of Confucian notion of li li (proper behavior)(proper behavior)

• aspects of Confucianism and Taoism were adopted aspects of Confucianism and Taoism were adopted and adapted into the indigenous religious and adapted into the indigenous religious expressionexpression

• ShintoShinto was the name of the indigenous Japanese was the name of the indigenous Japanese religion given by the Chinesereligion given by the Chinese


Chinese Influence:Chinese Influence:

• Japanese indigenous religion adopted the Japanese indigenous religion adopted the Confucian notion of Confucian notion of li li (proper behavior)(proper behavior)

• aspects of Confucianism and Taoism were adopted aspects of Confucianism and Taoism were adopted and adapted into the indigenous religious and adapted into the indigenous religious expressionexpression

• ShintoShinto was the name of the indigenous Japanese was the name of the indigenous Japanese religion given by the Chinesereligion given by the Chinese



Forms of Buddhism in Japan:Forms of Buddhism in Japan:

Heian PeriodHeian Period (794-1185) (794-1185)• Buddhism became the prominent religious Buddhism became the prominent religious

traditiontradition• Tendai Buddhism and Shingon Buddhism were Tendai Buddhism and Shingon Buddhism were

introduced to Japanintroduced to Japan


Forms of Buddhism in Japan:Forms of Buddhism in Japan:

Heian PeriodHeian Period (794-1185) (794-1185)• Buddhism became the prominent religious Buddhism became the prominent religious

traditiontradition• Tendai Buddhism and Shingon Buddhism were Tendai Buddhism and Shingon Buddhism were

introduced to Japanintroduced to Japan


HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)Many sects of Buddhism Many sects of Buddhism

flourished during the flourished during the Kamakura Shogunate Kamakura Shogunate (1185-1333):(1185-1333):

HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)Many sects of Buddhism Many sects of Buddhism

flourished during the flourished during the Kamakura Shogunate Kamakura Shogunate (1185-1333):(1185-1333):

Vajrayana BuddhismVajrayana BuddhismTaught Enlightenment is possibleTaught Enlightenment is possiblein this lifetime; elaborate rituals;in this lifetime; elaborate rituals;secret Transmission of insight;secret Transmission of insight;

instructive scripturesinstructive scriptures

Tendai BuddhismTendai BuddhismFocused on the Lotus SutraFocused on the Lotus Sutra

which taught thatwhich taught thatEnlightenment was universal Enlightenment was universal

Pure Land BuddhismPure Land BuddhismTaught that all had theTaught that all had the

opportunity to be reborn inopportunity to be reborn inblissful Pure Land by showingblissful Pure Land by showing

great devotion to Amida Buddhagreat devotion to Amida Buddha


HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)… … and two schools of and two schools of Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism::HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)… … and two schools of and two schools of Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism::

Rinzai ZenRinzai ZenBelieved a person could gainBelieved a person could gainimmediate Enlightenment;immediate Enlightenment;

emphasis on the use of the koanemphasis on the use of the koan

Soto ZenSoto ZenBelieved Enlightenment wasBelieved Enlightenment was

a gradual process;a gradual process;emphasized “seated emphasized “seated

meditation” (zazen)meditation” (zazen)


HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)Two notable koans:Two notable koans:HistoryHistory (continued) (continued)Two notable koans:Two notable koans:

When a tree falls in a forestWhen a tree falls in a forestWhere no one is present,Where no one is present,

does it make a sound?does it make a sound?

When a tree falls in a forestWhen a tree falls in a forestWhere no one is present,Where no one is present,

does it make a sound?does it make a sound?

What was your face likeWhat was your face likebefore your parentsbefore your parents

were born?were born?

What was your face likeWhat was your face likebefore your parentsbefore your parents

were born?were born?


Sacred Stories and Sacred ScripturesSacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures

Shinto has no official sacred texts. Shinto has no official sacred texts.

These are considered authoritative and significant for both the These are considered authoritative and significant for both the religious and historical heritage of the Japanese people:religious and historical heritage of the Japanese people:

Sacred Stories and Sacred ScripturesSacred Stories and Sacred Scriptures

Shinto has no official sacred texts. Shinto has no official sacred texts.

These are considered authoritative and significant for both the These are considered authoritative and significant for both the religious and historical heritage of the Japanese people:religious and historical heritage of the Japanese people:

The KojikiThe KojikiRecord of Ancient MattersRecord of Ancient Matters(a compilation of the oral myths(a compilation of the oral myths

and legends of the Japanese and legends of the Japanese people)people)

The KojikiThe KojikiRecord of Ancient MattersRecord of Ancient Matters(a compilation of the oral myths(a compilation of the oral myths

and legends of the Japanese and legends of the Japanese people)people)

NihonshokiNihonshokiChronicles of JapanChronicles of Japan

(the history of Japan(the history of Japanbeginning with thebeginning with the

Japanese creation myth)Japanese creation myth)

NihonshokiNihonshokiChronicles of JapanChronicles of Japan

(the history of Japan(the history of Japanbeginning with thebeginning with the

Japanese creation myth)Japanese creation myth)


Beliefs and PracticesBeliefs and PracticesBeliefs and PracticesBeliefs and Practices

KamiKamiKamiKami

are not gods but rather it has to do with are not gods but rather it has to do with whatever is sacred, such as the natural whatever is sacred, such as the natural world (mountains, rivers, trees, rocks) world (mountains, rivers, trees, rocks)

can be human beings, the emperor, can be human beings, the emperor, great warriors, poets, scholars, and wise great warriors, poets, scholars, and wise ancestorsancestors

focus on aid and protectionfocus on aid and protection are both creative as well as destructiveare both creative as well as destructive are prayed to in local or national are prayed to in local or national

shrines, in homes or in natureshrines, in homes or in nature

are not gods but rather it has to do with are not gods but rather it has to do with whatever is sacred, such as the natural whatever is sacred, such as the natural world (mountains, rivers, trees, rocks) world (mountains, rivers, trees, rocks)

can be human beings, the emperor, can be human beings, the emperor, great warriors, poets, scholars, and wise great warriors, poets, scholars, and wise ancestorsancestors

focus on aid and protectionfocus on aid and protection are both creative as well as destructiveare both creative as well as destructive are prayed to in local or national are prayed to in local or national

shrines, in homes or in natureshrines, in homes or in nature


Beliefs and PracticesBeliefs and Practices (continued)(continued)

Important things emphasized in Japanese living:Important things emphasized in Japanese living:

Beliefs and PracticesBeliefs and Practices (continued)(continued)

Important things emphasized in Japanese living:Important things emphasized in Japanese living:

HarmonyHarmonyHarmonyHarmony

LoyaltyLoyaltyLoyaltyLoyalty

TheTheextendedextended

family/clanfamily/clan

TheTheextendedextended

family/clanfamily/clan


Sacred TimeSacred Time

MatsuriMatsuri is the name for Japanese festivals: is the name for Japanese festivals:

Sacred TimeSacred Time

MatsuriMatsuri is the name for Japanese festivals: is the name for Japanese festivals:

OmisokaOmisokaThe Year-End FestivalThe Year-End Festival

(day of preparation for(day of preparation forNew Year’s Day)New Year’s Day)

OmisokaOmisokaThe Year-End FestivalThe Year-End Festival

(day of preparation for(day of preparation forNew Year’s Day)New Year’s Day)

ShogatsuShogatsu The New YearThe New Year

(three day celebration)(three day celebration)

ShogatsuShogatsu The New YearThe New Year

(three day celebration)(three day celebration)

Hina MatsuriHina Matsuri Girl’s DayGirl’s Day

(celebrated by(celebrated bydressing dolls indressing dolls in

traditional costumes)traditional costumes)

Hina MatsuriHina Matsuri Girl’s DayGirl’s Day

(celebrated by(celebrated bydressing dolls indressing dolls in

traditional costumes)traditional costumes)

Kodomo no HiKodomo no HiChildren’s DayChildren’s Day(public holiday with(public holiday with

tradition of kite flying)tradition of kite flying)

Kodomo no HiKodomo no HiChildren’s DayChildren’s Day(public holiday with(public holiday with

tradition of kite flying)tradition of kite flying)

ObonObon(three day festival(three day festival

celebrating thecelebrating thereturn home ofreturn home of

ancestral spirits ancestral spirits for a short time)for a short time)

ObonObon(three day festival(three day festival

celebrating thecelebrating thereturn home ofreturn home of

ancestral spirits ancestral spirits for a short time)for a short time)


The Natural WorldThe Natural World(mountains, rivers,(mountains, rivers,

trees, boulders)trees, boulders)

The Natural WorldThe Natural World(mountains, rivers,(mountains, rivers,

trees, boulders)trees, boulders)

IseIse(shrine for the (shrine for the imperial familyimperial family

in ancient Japan)in ancient Japan)

IseIse(shrine for the (shrine for the imperial familyimperial family

in ancient Japan)in ancient Japan)

TemplesTemplesTemplesTemplesShrinesShrines

(home, local,(home, local,and national)and national)

ShrinesShrines(home, local,(home, local,and national)and national)

Sacred Places and Sacred SpacesSacred Places and Sacred Spaces

There is no place that is not sacred on the land of Japan There is no place that is not sacred on the land of Japan because all of Japan has a divine origin.because all of Japan has a divine origin.

Some special places:Some special places:

Sacred Places and Sacred SpacesSacred Places and Sacred Spaces

There is no place that is not sacred on the land of Japan There is no place that is not sacred on the land of Japan because all of Japan has a divine origin.because all of Japan has a divine origin.

Some special places:Some special places:


Japanese Religions through a Catholic LensJapanese Religions through a Catholic Lens

Similarity:Similarity:

• Sacred time is defined as “the extraordinary within Sacred time is defined as “the extraordinary within the ordinary” --- a taste of the infinite in the finitethe ordinary” --- a taste of the infinite in the finite

Differences:Differences:

• Rather than using the four seasons of nature to help Rather than using the four seasons of nature to help designate sacred time while Christians use Easter as designate sacred time while Christians use Easter as the central event of the Christian yearthe central event of the Christian year

• The liturgical year is based on significant events in The liturgical year is based on significant events in the life of Christ and his Church rather than the the life of Christ and his Church rather than the four seasons of naturefour seasons of nature

Japanese Religions through a Catholic LensJapanese Religions through a Catholic Lens

Similarity:Similarity:

• Sacred time is defined as “the extraordinary within Sacred time is defined as “the extraordinary within the ordinary” --- a taste of the infinite in the finitethe ordinary” --- a taste of the infinite in the finite

Differences:Differences:

• Rather than using the four seasons of nature to help Rather than using the four seasons of nature to help designate sacred time while Christians use Easter as designate sacred time while Christians use Easter as the central event of the Christian yearthe central event of the Christian year

• The liturgical year is based on significant events in The liturgical year is based on significant events in the life of Christ and his Church rather than the the life of Christ and his Church rather than the four seasons of naturefour seasons of nature


ShintoShinto kamikami shogunateshogunate zazenzazen koankoan

ShintoShinto kamikami shogunateshogunate zazenzazen koankoan

Soka GakkaiSoka Gakkai kamidanakamidana butsudanbutsudan samuri warriorssamuri warriors harajiriharajiri

Soka GakkaiSoka Gakkai kamidanakamidana butsudanbutsudan samuri warriorssamuri warriors harajiriharajiri

kimonokimono toritori kami bodykami body feast daysfeast days

kimonokimono toritori kami bodykami body feast daysfeast days

VocabularyVocabularyVocabularyVocabulary

Exploring the Religions of Our World Chapter 8 Japanese Religions Chapter 8 Japanese Religions.

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