Confucianism and Shintoism Yamazaki Ansai, like other Japanese Confucians, sought to combine Confucian principles with the norms of Shintoism. He put forward a theory according to which the neo-Confucian li (not the old “li” of Confucius, i.e. ceremonies, ritual, but another, neo-Confucian,

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF RUSSIA

Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution

higher professional education

Volga State Social and Humanitarian Academy

History department

Department of General History and Teaching Methods

Shintoism

Performed by a first year student of group 11

Full-time study specialty: 050401.65 history

Fomicheva Yulia Vladimirovna

Work plan

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………3

Origin of Shintoism………………………...4

Mythology of Shintoism……………………….………………………..……7

Cult in this religion, main rituals and holidays……………...9

Temples……..…………..……………………………………………………………...….11

The current state of this religion………..………..…………..21

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………...………24

List of used literature……………………………………………………………..25

Introduction

Shinto is a traditional Japanese religion. The term “Shinto” or “Shinto” means “way of the gods.” Shinto is a pagan religion. It is based on the cult of ancestors and the worship of the forces of nature. Shinto - national religion, she is purely Japanese. It is aimed at the elevation of the imperial house, their deification.

The most ancient forms of beliefs, such as magic, totemism, and fetishism, have been preserved and continue to live in Shinto. Shintoism has no founder, like Buddhism or Christianity. According to Shinto legends, religion does not give people salvation; it does not even raise this question. Its ideal is the existence of man in harmony with nature.

The purpose of the study is to study the Shinto religion.

Tasks include:

finding out the history of the origin of this religion;

familiarization with the mythology of Shintoism;

studying the main rituals and holidays of Shintoism;

familiarization with the structure of temples;

clarification current state of this religion.

§1 Origin of Shintoism

The name of the religion “Shinto” consists of two characters: “shin” and “to”. The first is translated as “deity” and has another reading – “kami”, and the second means “path”. Thus, the literal translation of “Shinto” is “the way of the gods.”

Since time immemorial, the Japanese have believed in and worshiped kami. This is the national religion that arose in mythical ancient times. It is the indigenous religion of the people who built the Japanese state and created Japanese culture. The Kami religion has been refined over the centuries and continues to evolve today.

Gods-kami are, first of all, the gods of Heaven-Earth and their souls, revered in shrines, as well as human beings, birds and animals, trees and plants, seas and mountains, which have special power and naturally become the object of worship. The concept of kami includes not only kind and beneficent beings, but also evil spirits, which have a special nature and are worthy of veneration.

The word Shinto is the term used today for the Kami religion. This term is quite ancient, although it was not widely used in ancient times either among the population or among theologians. It is first found in written sources in Nihon seki - “Annals of Japan”, written in beginning of VIII century. There it was used to distinguish the traditional local religion from Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, continental beliefs that had entered Japan in previous centuries. Since about the 13th century, the word Shinto has been used to refer to the kami religion to distinguish it from Buddhism and Confucianism, which were widespread in the country. It is still used in this meaning today.

Unlike Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, Shintoism does not have a founder such as the enlightened Gautama, the messiah Jesus or the prophet Muhammad; not in it and sacred texts, such as the sutras in Buddhism, the Bible or the Koran. From a personal perspective, Shinto involves faith in the kami, observance of customs in accordance with the mind of the kami, and spiritual life achieved through worship of the kami and merging with them. For those who worship the kami, Shinto is a collective name for all beliefs. This is an all-encompassing term covering most different religions, interpreted according to the idea of ​​kami. Therefore, Shintoists use this term differently than is customary

use the word “Buddhism” when talking about the teachings of Buddha and the word “Christianity” when talking about the teachings of Christ.

Broadly speaking, Shintoism is more than just a religion. This is a fusion of views, ideas and spiritual methods that over more than two millennia have become an integral part of the path of the Japanese people. Thus, Shintoism is both a personal belief in kami and a corresponding social way of life. Shintoism was formed over many centuries under the influence of various merging ethnic and cultural traditions, both indigenous and foreign, and thanks to it the country achieved unity under the rule of the imperial family.

Not in Shintoism scriptures, similar to those found in many other religions. This fact characterizes Shintoism as a faith. However, there are ancient texts considered authoritative that outline the historical and spiritual foundations of Shintoism.

The oldest of these texts were compiled under the direction of the imperial family, and they contain myths and early historical chronicles of Japan. The oldest surviving monument of Japanese writing is the Kojiki, “Records of Ancient Deeds,” dating back to 712 AD. The Kojiki describes events up to the year 628. The text is written in Chinese characters, but the writing style is ancient colloquial Japanese, thanks to which you can learn about the style that existed previously and was passed on from generation to generation oral speech. This is why this written source is extremely valuable. Another text called Nihongi, or Nihon shoki - "Annals of Japan", which appeared eight years later, in 720, recounts events that took place before 697. It is written in Chinese and therefore a different style. This manuscript, unlike the Kojiki, has more detail; some events have mythological explanations and interpretations, which is very important, since there are no such details in the Kojiki. Shintoists value these two documents especially highly, since they contain the only ancient information about imperial family and several births that gave rise to the Japanese nation.

The texts talk about the origins of the imperial throne, the genealogies of certain clans, and much more that formed the basis of the Japanese social system and traditions. In addition, these sources contain a wealth of information about ancient Shinto rituals and customs, as well as the duties and

the unshakable rights of individual clans with regard to their participation in religious rites. These duties and rights expressed the special claims of certain clans to a role in the social structure of Japan, without which the clan system itself would almost inevitably collapse. Kujiki - --- "Chronicles of Ancient Events", Kogo-shui - "Selected Stories from Antiquity" and Engi Shiki - "Code of the Engi Era" are also considered reliable sources. It is believed that Kujiki was written around 620, i.e. a hundred years before the appearance of Nihongi. Kogoshui's book, written in 807, adds further information on early Shintoism. Published in 927, the Engi Shiki is a fundamental source of knowledge about early Shintoism, ceremonies, prayers, rituals, and methods of managing church affairs.

It should be emphasized again that, unlike Christianity and Islam, none of the manuscripts listed above are considered sacred texts. These are primarily historical records which, in addition to their political and dynastic significance, reveal ancient forms of belief in the kami. In Shintoism, no canonical set of religious rules arose, since at first the temples were only ritual intermediaries between people and the kami deities, and later, when these temples began to be perceived as symbols of faith of a certain community of people, there was no need to create any doctrines and instructions. Moreover, throughout history there are only a few cases where people professing Shinto shunned their public duty. It must be admitted that there were times when forced opposition to foreign religions and the fear of losing one’s traditions gave rise to talk about the need to create canons; however, the circumstances were never serious enough to bring the matter to an end. Modern changes in society and confusion in religions no less require deepening and strengthening the doctrine of shrine Shintoism. However, there is no indication yet that this will be done.

“The Path of the Gods” - this is the translation of the word Shintoism, the traditional religion of the land of the rising sun or Japan - let us walk along the Path of the gods, briefly examining the ideas, essence, principles and philosophy of Shintoism.

This is an ancient Japanese belief system in which many deities and spirits of deceased ancestors became objects of veneration and worship. The teachings of Buddhism significantly influenced the development of Shintoism, which is based on the worship of something external.

History of the development of Shintoism

Why does the Japanese flag have a rising sun?

Actually, Shintoism became a systematized or traditional religion in the 7th-8th centuries AD. And as many people know, the symbol of Japan is the sun, and the name there is a corresponding Land of the Rising Sun - this is in honor of the main sun goddess Amaterasu. According to the Shinto tradition, the pedigree of the imperial family begins with it.

The essence of Shintoism

According to Shintoism and its essence, many natural phenomena or the forces of nature may have their spiritual basis or essence. And that which has a spiritual essence, according to Shintoism, is god or Kami(from Japanese).

In other words, this is the deification of something that can evoke any emotions, say a mountain or stone, sky, earth, bird and others. And here we even find amazing things, because in Shintoism it is believed that people are born precisely by gods, and not created, as for example in Christianity.

And there is even one also amazing story, when a Catholic asked a Shintoist what God looks like, he simply answered “and we dance.” This is a beautiful answer, isn’t it, even more so than the one we already wrote separately.

Basic Ideas of Shintoism

One of the most important and basic ideas of Shintoism is achieving harmony with the deities through purification and elimination of all unnecessary things that interfered with the comprehension of the world around us and being in harmony with it.

It should also be noted that the ideas of Shinto also served the interests of the entire country, because if a person becomes pure in heart, then he lives in harmony with nature and the Gods, and therefore the country as a whole becomes prosperous.

Here we also see the idea that a person who is peaceful and treats others with respect and compassion receives protection from the gods and from the Buddha, and the whole country also receives divine protection.

Although from the 18th century Shintoism began to separate from Buddhism and develop separately, Buddhism remained the state religion until 1886.

Just as Confucius played a role in unifying China, so Shintoism, with its ideas of the divinity of the imperial family, played a role in unifying the Japanese state.

Principles of Shintoism

Moreover, it is believed that gods, people and the spirits of the dead simply coexist with each other, since everyone is in a cycle of reincarnation.

The principles of Shinto are also based on the fact that if a person lives with a pure and sincere heart and sees the world as it is, then for this reason he is already virtuous and in his place.

In Shintoism, evil is the lack of harmony, hatred and selfishness, violation general order existing in nature.

Religious customs and rituals of Shintoism

The Shinto religion is built on rituals, customs and temple services. It is believed that everything in this world is initially harmonious, just like man himself. However, evil spirits take advantage of a person’s weaknesses and base thoughts. This is why deities are needed in Shintoism - they are a support for a person, to maintain a pure heart and provide him with protection.

There are entire collections of books on how to correctly perform the rituals of the gods, both in ordinary temples and in the temples of the imperial court. Shintoism served to unite the Japanese people, because it is believed that it was the gods who first existed, and they gave birth to both Japan and the dynasty of Chinese emperors.

Shintoism is the state religion of Japan

In 1868, Shintoism in Japan became the state religion, until 1947, when a new constitution was adopted and for some reason the emperor ceased to be considered a living god.

As for modern Shintoism, even today in Japan there are tens of thousands of temples where rituals of deities or ancestral spirits are held. Temples are usually built in nature, in beautiful places.

The central place in the temple is the altar, on which some object is placed, in which the spirit of the deity is located. This item can be a stone, a piece of wood, or even a sign with an inscription.

And in a Shinto shrine there may be separate places for preparing sacred food, for spells and dancing.

Shinto philosophy

At its core, the Shinto tradition and its philosophy are based on the deification and worship of natural forces. The living gods who created the people of Japan are embodied in the spirits of nature, for example, in the spirit of a mountain, stone, or river.

The sun is a completely different matter. So Sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami - is the main deity of Japanese Shintoism, and simply all of Japan, as the founder of the imperial family.

And therefore, according to Shinto philosophy, people should worship these deities as respect for their bloodline and for protection, as well as for patronage from these deities and nature spirits.

Shinto philosophy also includes the concept of virtue, compassion for others, and strong respect for elders. The original sinlessness and virtue of the soul is recognized.

Places to worship where you are

As we have already said, in Shintoism big influence Buddhism, which was the state religion for a long time, contributed. Characteristic feature Shintoism is that believers are not required to visit temples frequently; it is enough to come on holidays. You can also perform prayers to ancestors and spirits at home.

Conclusion

It is quite obvious that Japanese Shintoism had its The goal is to unite the people, develop harmony between people and nature, as well as develop the spirit of unity. In addition, Shintoism finds virtually no contradictions with other major world religions, because the same ancestors are revered almost everywhere.

So a person can be, for example, both a Shintoist and a Buddhist at the same time. And as the experience of Shintoism shows, the main thing is harmony.

Perhaps someday, all religions will even come to one religion, or better yet, to one faith, faith in harmony, love, and similar things that are uniquely valuable and necessary for every reasonable and successful person things.

Well, that’s why we wish everyone harmony and prosperity, and don’t forget to visit our portal, where you can learn a lot of interesting things about spiritual world. And in one of the following articles we will try to bring a common denominator to all the main world religions and beliefs of society and, of course, don’t forget, which has so greatly influenced the history, philosophy and essence of Shintoism.

Shintoism is a set of beliefs and cults of the Japanese, which is often called the original Japanese religion. The term “Shinto” appeared in the Middle Ages (6th-7th centuries) and means “the way of the gods.”
Shin, or kami, are gods, spirits who, according to the ideas of the ancient Japanese, inhabit the entire world around humans - sky, stars, earth, mountains, rivers and trees. Any object can be the embodiment of a kami; the most common embodiment of “divine power” is a stone. These objects, the shintai (god's body), usually represent a symbol of holiness and an object of worship.
The mythological tradition contained in the first written monuments of Japan (“Kojiki”, “Nihop seki”, etc.) reflected difficult path formation of a system of Shinto cults. It included both the deities of the tribes of Northern Kyushu, who came to central Japan, and the gods of the aboriginal population that lived here. Local gods lost their priority position; the goddess Amaterasu (Ama-tarasu-o-mikami), who “created” the Japanese archipelago and laid the foundation for the “divine” imperial dynasty, became the supreme deity.
There are many kami in Shinto, but the ancestral deities ujigami (“uji” - clan, “kami” - deity) were of paramount importance for the ancient Japanese. The activities of the ujigami were of a protective nature; they patronized the life and activities of members of the clan. Deities were also revered - lords of various natural elements - hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons and snow storms, numerous. gods of local significance (god of a specific mountain, forest, lake), the protective power of which extended to the surrounding area and, as a rule, exceeded the capabilities of the main deities of the Shinto pantheon.
Shintoism is distinguished by the absence of both a real or mythological founder and a dogmatic basis. Canons and a strict system of rituals did not exist even at the initial stage of the formation of Shintoism, when the unification of heterogeneous cults of nature, cults of clan and tribal deities took place. The emergence of the Japanese state contributed to the unification of different cults and the creation of a single religion. systems. Although a clear system excluding heterogeneity was not created, the influence of other religions that penetrated Japan led to the emergence of certain common external features in the activities of heterogeneous temple objects and in the ritual system.
At the center of Shinto religious worship is the cult of ancestors with ancestry back to the solar goddess Amaterasu. Since the world of man is not separated from the world of kami, man, in a certain sense, is also kami, and for him there is no task of seeking salvation in other world. Salvation lies in giving thanks to the kami and one’s ancestors and living in harmony with nature, in constant spiritual connection with the deity.
To a certain extent, it is extremely simple for a Japanese to become familiar with Shintoism, which does not require special mental work in understanding the tenets of the religion, in mastering complex religions. ethics, became the basis for the extraordinary tenacity of this religion, which has come down from ancient times and retains its position in modern times. Japan.
In con. 5 - beginning 6th centuries in Central Japan, the struggle between clans for supremacy in the general tribal association intensified. In their quest for power, the influential Soga family used Buddhism, the first followers of which arrived in the country in 538 as part of the embassy of the Korean state of Baekje. Confucianism also penetrated the Japanese islands. The Confucian ethical program, with a clear division of society and fixation of the place and responsibilities of everyone in it, corresponded to the views of the royal elite and its aristocratic entourage.
After Soga's victory with Ser. 6th century The widespread spread of Buddhism in the country and the construction of Buddhist monasteries and temples begin.
Buddhas and bodhisattvas, who entered the Shinto pantheon as new gods, were endowed by the Japanese with the same magical properties Like the kami, they were approached with specific requests - to protect from diseases, send a rich harvest, protect from evil, etc.
Shintoism arose as the religion of the agricultural community and was a reflection of its collective views.