What kind of religion do the Japanese profess? Religion of the population of the Japanese islands

It is known that Japan is one of the world's leading countries in the field of science and technology, international politics and trade. But, despite the economic miracle that occurred in this state after the Second World War, its people still retain their unique identity. It is she who distinguishes the Japanese from the rest of the world. Yes, their culture has borrowed a lot from other peoples. But they successfully managed to adapt all innovations to their traditions. However, the immutable cultural basis of the Land of the Rising Sun is still the native religion of the Japanese.

Folk beliefs

Despite the high development of information technology, for Japanese people, Japanese culture is still a mystery. This is especially true of ancient beliefs. If you ask what kind of religion the Japanese profess, many will say that Buddhism. But this statement is not entirely correct, since this doctrine penetrated the islands from China only in the VI century. It was then that the first Buddhist monks began to come to these lands . They brought with them sacred books written in their native language. The following question arises: what kind of religion did the Japanese have before the advent of Buddhism?

Scientists have proved that initially each people had their own beliefs, which implied a certain religious practice, not related to the church hierarchy. It was a series of actions and ideas that were based on superstition, prejudice, etc.

Ancient cults

In Japan, for a long time, worshiped various living beings. One of the most common was the cult of a fox. The deity in the image of this animal with a human body and reason was dedicated to special temples, which have survived to this day. There still gather people who have so-called foxes. Falling into a trance to the sound of drums and old priests wailing, they think that they are infused with a sacred spirit, sending them the gift of visionaries, capable of predicting the future.

In addition to foxes, the Japanese also worship other living creatures, for example, snakes, turtles, dragonflies and even mollusks. Until recently, the main animal was a wolf. He was called the spirit of the Okami mountains. The peasants usually asked him about the protection of crops and themselves from various ills and misfortunes, fishermen - about sending down the passing wind, etc. But whichever animal the ancient and modern islanders worshiped, these are just beliefs. About what is called the religion of the Japanese in fact and what it is, let's try to understand this article.

Shinto - the path of the gods

According to the general recognition of scientists, the ancient religion on the islands of Japan developed separately from the Chinese, and reliable sources of its occurrence have not yet been found. It is called Shinto, or the path of the gods. In truth, for most Japanese, the origin and essence of this religion is not so important, for them it is simultaneously a tradition, a history and a life itself.

Shinto can be compared with ancient mythology, and the meaning and purpose of Shinto itself is to affirm the identity of the culture of Japan and the divine origin of its people. According to this religion, first appeared the emperor (mikado), which is a descendant of the heavenly spirits, and then each of the Japanese - his offspring (kami). In this case, the ancestors, or rather the souls of the deceased patrons of families, are considered to be the object of worship.

Written sources

The main religious documents of Shinto are two collections of myths - Nihongi and Kojiki, written by the emperor's court after 712, as well as detailed instructions with ancient prayers and rituals - Enghisiki. Historians believe, since these written sources appeared much later than the events in question, there may be somewhat distorted the initial spiritual practices and beliefs of Shinto. But, anyway, one can see from them that the ancient Japanese, whose religion and traditions were concentrated mainly around their family and clan, as well as agricultural holidays, idolized life.

Shamans who performed the duties of ministers of worship and talked with believers on behalf of their ancestors (kami), were considered warriors who fought with evil spirits. They summoned the gods, using at the same time Kagura - traditional for this religion sacred dances, performed by young girls. One can say with confidence that much of the traditional Japanese art, music and literature have their roots in the ancient Shaman rituals of Shinto.

Basic religious concepts

Very interesting is the view of the world, which was able to form believing Japanese. The religion of Shinto is based on five basic concepts, and the first of them sounds like this: the world did not create God - it arose by itself, and it is not just good, but perfect.

The second concept sings the power of life. According to Japanese mythology, the first sex occurred between the deities. That is why morality and physical intimacy between a man and a woman in the minds of the Japanese are in no way connected. From this it follows that everything natural must be respected, and everything "not pure" is condemned, but everything can be cleansed. Due to such beliefs, the Japanese tend to adapt almost any modernization, cleaning and adjusting it according to their traditions.

The third concept of Shinto is the unity of history and nature. This religion of the Japanese does not divide the world into the living and the inanimate, that is, in the person, animal or any thing, lives Kami. This deity does not dwell in the other world, but lives with people, so believers do not need to seek salvation elsewhere - it is always nearby, in everyday life.

The fourth concept is polytheism. Since the Shinto is closely associated with the ancestral deities, it has emerged from cults that praise the nature of a particular locality. Various witch and shamanistic rituals began to lead to a certain uniformity only to the fifth or sixth centuries, and only then, when the emperor decided to take control of the activity of all Shinto sanctuaries. At the same time, the specially created department compiled a list of all the Shinto gods, which turned out to be neither more nor less, but 3132! Over time, their number only increased.

National religion of the Japanese

The last concept of Shinto has a national-psychological basis. According to her, the gods of kami did not create all people, but only Japanese people, so almost every inhabitant of the Land of the Rising Sun knows from the diaper that he belongs to this religion. Such a doctrine formed two models of behavior. On the one hand, kami are connected only with the Japanese nation, so it will look ridiculous and ridiculous if any foreigner starts to profess the Shinto. On the other hand, every believing Shinto can become an adherent of any other religious doctrine at the same time.

Religious Practice

At once it is necessary to say that the life of the Shinto is quite diverse, although it revolves mainly around the sanctuaries. The designations of the sacred land are the thorium, which is a large gate, reminiscent of the Greek letter "P" with two horizontal lines. Further, on the way to the main building of the sanctuary, special places specially prepared for the ablutions of believers will be located.

By creating their ritual facilities, the Japanese, whose religion, as it turned out, differs significantly from other faiths, divide them into several zones. At the place of honor, always have a sintai (incarnation of Kami). They may be a sword, a jewel or a mirror. It should be noted that the syntanta itself is not an object of worship: believers pray to the deity that dwells in this object.

Purification ritual

Perhaps the most serious thing about him is the Japanese. The Shinto religion traditionally requires special purity. For example, a woman who goes to worship without reaching the main sanctuary should stop to perform a ritual bath. After that, she burns incense or makes an offering, dropping a coin into a special box for donations.

Approaching the sanctuary, the woman should turn to face the altar and, bowing her head, clap her hands twice, and then fold her hands in the face of the palms together. This ritual is for the calling of Kami, but it can be done at home. The fact is that in many Japanese houses there are kami-dana - small family altars where the ritual of veneration of ancestors is conducted.

Religious celebrations

The main holiday of Shinto is the annual Matsuri, which in some churches can be celebrated twice a year. This word is embedded in the concept of the entire ritual system, which includes not only the religion of the Japanese, but also the way of their life. Usually these folk festivals are associated with harvesting or the beginning of agricultural work, as well as with any commemorative date associated with the history of the sanctuary itself or the local deity.

I must say that the Japanese, whose religion is so democratic, like to organize lavish festivities. About them, the temple attendants notify in advance without exception, therefore, the holidays of Matsuri are always gathered by large crowds of people, who take part in ceremonies and in numerous entertainments with pleasure. Some sanctuaries even arrange celebrations akin to colorful carnivals.