 Japanese Shinto - the Conviction of East
Added: 09/28/2007 |
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In the sprawling landscape of Japan, the influence of Shintoism as the finest specimen of an indigenous religion founded on myths, legends, and ritual practices of the early Japanese can be perceived through just one glance. However, the Japanese Shinto is observed mainly for births, marriages, and other occasions while the other principal religion Buddhism is observed mainly for funerals. The word Shintoism is said to have originated from the words "Shin" meaning spirit and "to" which means a philosophical path.
Shintoism is reckoned in the global spectrum as an indigenous contribution of Japan. However, the Japanese Shinto according to one prominent school of thought, the word "Shinto" signifies "The Way of the Gods". Now if we enter into a philosophical consideration where does it lead to? To many, Japanese Shinto happens to be the path that leads to the attainment of the universal self. According to Shintoism, with a human being's life coming to an end, the person becomes Kami. But who is Kami? To the belief of the Japanese Shinto Kami happens to be a supernatural being that is equivalent to God. That is the time when he attains the universal self and becomes equal to God. But it would be utterly wrong to ascertain that Shintoism believes in the worship of spirits. On the contrary, the Japanese Shinto happens to believe in the existence of God within all living creatures. But to them this belief gets manifested after the death and gets equalized to the Supreme God. Here comes the effectivity of the Kamis or the dead spirits. Since there is already a belief that there is the existence of a Kami residing within all living and non living beings. But above the ordinary Kamis there is the existence of the supreme Kamis. To the popular belief of the Japanese Shinto the world is consisted of about eight million Kamis. How do you get hold of this belief? Keep it in concern that the belief is popularly expressed by the expression "Yaoyorozu no Kami". In this regard, the most venerated Kami among the total number of Kamis is the Sun Goddess "Amterasu". But it is to be noted at the same time that the privilege or advantage to be a Kami is available to only those who abide by the ritual practices and customs in their life. But if anyone fails, then? To the popular Japanese Shinto belief if anyone fails to do so, will be degraded into the status of "Urami" that is synonymous to a grudge or a devil spirit. What's more, apart form this there is the existence of two forms of Universes. While the one is visible or Ken Kai, the other is invisible which is known as Yu Kai, in addition, being controlled by three deities.
It is true that there happens to be a great similarity between the principal religions of the world. In this extent, there is undoubtedly a great similarity of Shintoism and Hinduism. However, it is reasonably argued that this form of Japanese Shinto has been inspired from religions like Buddhism and Confucianism. What can be the most possible reason? If we look at the historical developments we shall find that through ages there have been migrations and counter migrations between countries. In this respect, the migration of a section of Chinese and Japanese in the interiors of Japan happens to be the reason of this. But there happens to be an imperative distinction between Shintoism and Buddhism and that rests in the perception regarding rebirth. It is known, that in Buddhism the notion of rebirth has a predominant position putting a great emphasis on the cycles of rebirth. There is a core belief in the Buddhist belief that virtue leads to happiness and vices to pain, as well as the individuals are rewarded or punished according to the deeds of their past life. On the contrary, the conviction of Shintoism rests in the need of finding happiness and satisfaction in one's present life only.
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