RELIGION IN JAPAN

Shinto

Pure Land Buddhism

Zen Buddhism

Shinto

• Based on the teachings of– Shinto has no founder and no single sacred

book

Shinto

• Beliefs:– Everything in nature has

a spirit, called kami– Some kami help people

live and keep them from harm

– Clan chiefs lead clan members in rituals to honor their kami ancestors The Shinto god Fujin is the

god of the wind

Shinto

• Practice– They build shrines to kami– Perform ceremonies to ask the kami to bless

them

Torii Gates mark the entrance to Shinto shrines

The gates are often painted a red/orange color

Shinto• Who was attracted to Shinto

– Clan members and chiefs were attracted to Shinto

– Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan

Carved lion on a Shinto shrine

Pure Land Buddhism

• Based on the teachings of– A monk named Honen simplified the original

teachings of Buddhism

The Fresno Buddhist Temple follows Pure Land Buddhism

Pure Land Buddhism

• Beliefs– Chanting the Buddha’s

name helps reach enlightenment

– Pure Land is a place where it is easier to reach enlightenment

Pure Land

Pure Land Buddhism

• Practice– Doesn’t require any fixed rituals– Believers chant the Buddha’s name over and

over again to achieve salvation

Pure Land Buddhism

• Who was attracted to Pure Land Buddhism– The common people, who didn’t have time or

money for fancy rituals

Zen Buddhism

• Based on the teachings of– A monk named Eisai brought it from China

Zen Garden

Zen Buddhism

• Beliefs– Neither faith nor good behavior led to wisdom– People seeking wisdom should practice self-

discipline

Zen Buddhism

• Practice– Use meditation or quiet thinking to find

wisdom

Scientists have studied the effects of meditation on the brain using Buddhist monks

Meditation

• A scientist named Richard Davidson studied the brain activity of eight Buddhist monks

• He scanned their brains as they meditated and found that the monks produced some of the most powerful gamma brain waves ever produced by a healthy person!

• Davidson thinks this means meditation may be linked to focus, memory and learning

The Dalai Lama with researcher Richard Davidson

Zen Buddhism

• Who was attracted to Zen Buddhism– Many people, including warriors