What is Shinto? Traditional religion of Japan

What religion in Japan has the most adepts? This is a complex of national and very archaic beliefs, which is called Shinto. Like any religion, it developed, absorbed the elements of the cult and the metaphysical ideas of other peoples. But it should be said that Shinto is still very far from Christianity. And other beliefs, which are usually called Abrahamic. But Shinto is not just a cult of ancestors. Such a view of the religion of Japan would be an extreme simplification. This is not animism, although the Shinto believers deify natural phenomena and even objects. This philosophy is very complex and deserves to be studied. In this article, we briefly describe what Shinto is. In Japan, there are other exercises. How does Shinto interact with these cults? Is he with them in direct antagonism or can we talk about a specific religious syncretism? Find out this by reading our article.

Origin and codification of Shintoism

Animism - the belief that some things and phenomena of nature are spiritual - existed among all peoples at a certain stage of development. But later cults of worship of trees, stones and a solar disk have been rejected. Religious views of the people reoriented to the gods, who control the forces of nature. This happened everywhere in all civilizations. But not in Japan. There animism has survived, partially changing and metaphysically evolving, and became the basis for the state religion. The history of Shinto begins with the first mention in the book Nihongi. This eighteenth-century chronicle tells of the Japanese emperor Yomei (ruled at the turn of the sixth and seventh centuries). The designated monarch "professed Buddhism and honored the Shinto." Naturally, every small area in Japan had its own spirit, God. In addition, certain regions revered the sun, while in others they preferred other forces or phenomena of nature. When the processes of political centralization began to take place in the eighth century, the question of codification of all beliefs and cults arose.

The canonization of mythology

The country was united under the authority of the ruler of the Yamato region. So at the top of the Japanese "Olympus" was the goddess Amaterasu, identified with the Sun. It was declared the foremother of the ruling imperial family. All other gods received a lower status. In 701, in Japan, even the administrative organ "dzhingikan" was established, which was in charge of all cults and religious ceremonies sent in the country. Queen Gammey in 712 ordered to compile a set of beliefs existing in the country. This is how the "Kojiki" chronicle appeared ("Records about the Acts of Antiquity"). But the main book, which can be compared with the Bible of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), for the Shinto became "Nihon shoki" - "Annals of Japan, written with a brush." This set of myths was compiled in 720 by a group of officials led by a certain O-no Yasumaro and with the direct participation of Prince Tonari. All beliefs were brought into a kind of unity. In addition, Nihon Shoki also includes historical events that tell about the penetration of Buddhism, Chinese and Korean noble families into the Japanese islands .

Cult of ancestors

If we consider the question "what is Shinto", then it will not be enough to say that this is the worship of the forces of nature. No less important role in the traditional religion of Japan is played by the cult of ancestors. In Shinto there is no concept of Salvation, as in Christianity. The souls of the dead remain invisible among the living. They are everywhere and pervade everything. Moreover, they take a very active part in the things that are happening on the earth. As in the political structure of Japan, the souls of the deceased imperial ancestors play a significant role in the events. In general, in Shintoism there is no clear line between people and kami. These latter are spirits or gods. But they are drawn into the eternal cycle of life. People after death can become Kami, and spirits can become incarnated in bodies. The very word "shinto" consists of two hieroglyphs, which mean literally "the way of the gods". Pass this road is offered to every resident of Japan. After all, Shinto is not a world religion. She is not interested in proselytism - the spread of her teaching among other nations. Unlike Christianity, Islam or Buddhism, Shinto - religion is purely Japanese.

Basic Ideas

So, many phenomena of nature and even things have a spiritual essence, which is called Kami. Sometimes she dwells in a particular object, but sometimes manifests itself in the hypostasis of God. There are kami patrons of localities and even childbirth (uzzygami). Then they act as the souls of their ancestors - some "guardian angels" of their descendants. It is necessary to indicate one more cardinal difference between Shinto and other world religions. It dogmatic occupies quite a bit of space. Therefore, it is very difficult to describe what Shinto is from the point of view of religious canons. It is not ortho-doxia (correct interpretation) that is important here, but ortho-praxia (correct practice). Therefore, the Japanese pay much attention not to theology as such, but to the observance of rites. They have come down to us almost unchanged from times when mankind practiced all sorts of magic, totemism and fetishism.

Ethical component

Shinto - religion is absolutely not dualistic. In it you will not find, as in Christianity, the struggle between Good and Evil. The Japanese "asi" is not an absolute evil. It is more likely something harmful, which is better to avoid. Sin-tsumi - does not bear ethical color. This action, which is blamed by society. Tsumi changes the nature of man. "Asi" confronts "yoshi," which is also not an absolute Good. This is all good and useful, what you should strive for. Therefore Kami are not a moral standard. They may be at enmity with each other, concealing old grievances. There are kami who command the deadly elements - earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes. And from the ferocity of their divine essence does not become less. But for the Japanese to follow the "path of the gods" (this is what Shinto calls briefly) means the whole moral code. It is necessary to respect the elders by position and age, to be able to live in peace with equals, to honor the harmony of man and nature.

The concept of the world around us

The universe is not created by the good Creator. Out of chaos appeared Kami, who at a certain stage created the Japanese islands. Shinto of the Land of the Rising Sun teaches that the universe is organized correctly, although it is by no means a blessing. And the main thing in it is order. Evil is a disease that devours established norms. Therefore, a virtuous person should avoid weaknesses, temptations and unworthy thoughts. They can lead him to tsumi. Sin will not only distort the good soul of man, but also make him a pariah in society. And this is for the Japanese - the most terrible punishment. But there is no absolute evil and good. In order to distinguish between "good" and "bad" in a particular situation, a person must have a "heart like a mirror" (adequately judge reality) and not break an alliance with a deity (to honor the rite). Thus, he makes a feasible contribution to the stability of the universe.

Shinto and Buddhism

Another distinguishing feature of the Japanese religion is its amazing syncretism. Buddhism began to penetrate the islands in the sixth century. And he was warmly received by the local aristocracy. It is not difficult to guess which religion in Japan had the greatest influence on the formation of the Shinto rite. First, it was proclaimed that there is a kami-patron of Buddhism. Then they began to associate spirits and bodhidharm. Soon in the Shinto temples began to read the Buddhist sutras. In the ninth century, for some time, the teachings of Gautama the Enlightened became in Japan the state religion. This period has changed the departure of the cult of Shinto. In the temples appeared images of bodhisattvas and the Buddha himself. There was a belief that Kami, like people, need Salvation. Also there were syncretic teachings - robo-shinto and sanno-shinto.

Temple Shintoism

Gods do not need to dwell in buildings. Therefore, temples are not dwellings of kami. It is rather a place where believers are gathered to worship. But, knowing what Shinto is, you can not compare the Japanese traditional temple with the Protestant church. In the main building, chondain, the "Kami body" is kept - the sintai. It is usually a tablet with the name of a deity. But there may be a thousand Sintaites in other temples. The prayers are not included in the chondain. They gather in the assembly hall - Hayden. In addition to it, there is a kitchen for cooking ritual food, a scene, a place for practicing magic, and other extensions on the territory of the temple complex. Rituals in the temples are held by the priests, called cannus.

Home altars

Visiting temples for a believing Japanese is not at all necessary. After all kami exist everywhere. And you can honor them everywhere too. Therefore, along with the temple is very developed home Shinto. In Japan, there is such an altar in every family. It can be compared with the "red corner" in the Orthodox huts. The altar of the "Kamidan" is a regiment, where the tablets with the names of various Kami are on display. To them amulets and amulets bought in "holy places" are also added. To appease the souls of their ancestors, the Kamidan also puts gifts in the form of mochi and vodka sake. In honor of the deceased on the altar, and put some things important for the deceased. Sometimes it can be his diploma or an order for promotion (Shinto, in short, shocking Europeans with their spontaneity). Then the believer bathes his face and hands, stands in front of the Kamidan, bows several times, and then claps his hands loudly. So he attracts attention kami. Then he quietly prays and again bowes.