Shinto
The organization of Shinto as a religion is more difficult than others as there was no founder, scriptures or organized teachings. It is only known that early Shinto practices developed about the same times as the introduction of Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Confucianism.
The name 'Shinto' means the way of the devine. Shinto believe in polytheistism, using many gods to express their world view. Thus they are very accepting of the beliefs of others, adopting many of the ideas of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
Shinto spread into Japan in the 2nd century and gained the support of the imperial family. Rather than merging with other faiths Shinto became the State supported religion.
In Shinto, there are spirits (Kami) which exist everywhere. All Shinto gods came from the combination of Izanagi and Izannami, the brother and sister who came from the Floating Bridge of Heaven and created the world. The most important god created from them was Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who became the supreme diety of the nation. The Japanese flag symbolizes the sun and is meant to represent Amaterasu. This stayed true up to the period of the Second World War, for example, the Emperor Hirohito, who was thought of as being descendant from Amaterasu, went to the Shinto shrine when they were about to surrender to apologize to god for losing the war.
Assignment Page 107 #1-7.
The name 'Shinto' means the way of the devine. Shinto believe in polytheistism, using many gods to express their world view. Thus they are very accepting of the beliefs of others, adopting many of the ideas of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
Shinto spread into Japan in the 2nd century and gained the support of the imperial family. Rather than merging with other faiths Shinto became the State supported religion.
In Shinto, there are spirits (Kami) which exist everywhere. All Shinto gods came from the combination of Izanagi and Izannami, the brother and sister who came from the Floating Bridge of Heaven and created the world. The most important god created from them was Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who became the supreme diety of the nation. The Japanese flag symbolizes the sun and is meant to represent Amaterasu. This stayed true up to the period of the Second World War, for example, the Emperor Hirohito, who was thought of as being descendant from Amaterasu, went to the Shinto shrine when they were about to surrender to apologize to god for losing the war.
Assignment Page 107 #1-7.