World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

Part 2: Japan

Religions in Japan 2011: • Non-religious: 67% • Buddhism: 22% • Other religions: 3% • Christianity: 2% •

©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 47 of 96 Not stated: 6% Japanese people usually do not identity with one religion; however, they take elements of various religions and incorporate them together. Shinto and Japanese Buddhists are not two competing faiths in Japan; rather, they are viewed in a complex way. Japanese people have full religious freedom with minority religions being practiced, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism. Families are typically associated with a religion, not because they practice the religion, but because they are associated with a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine due to their birth location. Their family’s association with a family line and the attachment to a religion is what is defined for the child. However, about 70% of Japanese do not profess a religious membership. 5.5 Shinto Shinto means “the way of the gods”. It is the indigenous religion and is practiced by approximately 83% of the population. Adherents do not make a profession of faith, but merely practice certain aspects of Shinto. Shinto originated in prehistoric times and was a religion with respect for nature and for sacred sites. These sites may have been used to worship the sun, trees, sounds, and rock formations. Each of these is associated with a deity, or kami. Shintoism is a complete polytheistic religion, and worship is performed at shines. Individuals practice a ritual of purification before they visit the shrines. Shinto does not have a founder or canon. There is a variety of denominations of Shinto. Nihongi and Kojiki contain a record of Japanese mythology. In the Shinto sects of Tenrikyo and Konkokoyo, there is often leader and a dogma. When Buddhism gained popularity, Shinto fell out of favor. However, Shinto and Buddhism started to be practiced in tandem. Where Shinto sites were built, Buddhist temples were also constructed. Religious Practices Most Japanese participate in rituals that are a combination of many religions. Each landmark in a person’s life is marked by celebrations, yet they may hail from different religious traditions. For instance, a baby’s birth is celebrated with a formal shrine visit at one month, and the third, fifth, and seventh birthday. When the child turns 20, there is another visit to the shrine.

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