Japan’s Japan’s Shinto and Shinto and Buddhist Buddhist Traditions Traditions by Mr. Kaufman by Mr. Kaufman Bodine High School Bodine High School for International Affairs for International Affairs September, 2003 September, 2003
Jan 07, 2016
Japan’sJapan’s
Shinto andShinto and
BuddhistBuddhist
TraditionsTraditions
by Mr. Kaufmanby Mr. Kaufman
Bodine High SchoolBodine High School
for International Affairsfor International Affairs
September, 2003September, 2003
Japanese have two Japanese have two religionsreligions
Shinto – place of worship called “shrines” - means Shinto – place of worship called “shrines” - means “way of the gods” – has its roots in prehistoric Japan.“way of the gods” – has its roots in prehistoric Japan.
Buddhism – place of worship called “temples” – Buddhism – place of worship called “temples” – brought to Japan 1,500 years ago from India and China.brought to Japan 1,500 years ago from India and China.
Shinto• marriage• prayer for unborn fetus
• births• educational advancements
• career progress
Buddhism• deals with old age
• death• funerals and
memoral services• prayers for
ancestors• rituals dealing with
Confucian values
How Do Japanese Use Two Religions?
Shinto ShrinesShinto Shrines
Began in the Nara Period (724-780) and Began in the Nara Period (724-780) and became the offical religion of Japan.became the offical religion of Japan.
Shrines house “Kami” or deities. Each shrine Shrines house “Kami” or deities. Each shrine has its own Kami. There are Kami of Rain, has its own Kami. There are Kami of Rain, Kami of Wind, Kami of Mountains and Kami Kami of Wind, Kami of Mountains and Kami of Rivers. of Rivers.
Japanese go to shrines to pray for good Japanese go to shrines to pray for good fortune, birth ceremonies and weddings.fortune, birth ceremonies and weddings.
Shrines Are EverywhereShrines Are Everywhere
a Shinto shrineon the street
in Kobe
Main shrines have a torii gate at the entranceMain shrines have a torii gate at the entrance
In Kyoto, there are more than 2,000 shrinesIn Kyoto, there are more than 2,000 shrines
Heien Jingu Shrinebuilt in 1895Kiyomizu-dera Shrine
originally built in 778
Ways To PrayWays To Pray
Prayers are written on
wooden cards (Ema) or
paper (Omikuji)and hung
Wake the godsby clapping
andthrow moneyat the main
hall (Honden)
wood prayer cards (Ema)wood prayer cards (Ema)
PurificationPurification
Your body must be purifiedbefore you enter the shinto shrine
Buddhist TemplesBuddhist Temples
Originated in India in the 6Originated in India in the 6 thth Century BC. Century BC. In Japan, the first Buddhist center was Nara.In Japan, the first Buddhist center was Nara. Zen Buddhism was introduced from China in Zen Buddhism was introduced from China in
1191.1191. The “Buddha” is not god. Buddhism is about The “Buddha” is not god. Buddhism is about
achieving individual enlightenment – finding achieving individual enlightenment – finding “the path” to self-knowledge and happiness.“the path” to self-knowledge and happiness.
The Japanese observe Buddhist traditions for The Japanese observe Buddhist traditions for funerals and ancestor worship.funerals and ancestor worship.
Buddhist Temple in NaraBuddhist Temple in Nara
Siddhartha GautamaSiddhartha Gautamathe Buddha, the Enlightened Onethe Buddha, the Enlightened One
The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold Path1.1. Right views, or understandingRight views, or understanding
2.2. Right purpose, or aspiration.Right purpose, or aspiration.
3.3. Right speech.Right speech.
4.4. Right conduct.Right conduct.
5.5. Right livelihood.Right livelihood.
6.6. Right effort.Right effort.
7.7. Right kind of awareness or mindfulness.Right kind of awareness or mindfulness.
8.8. Right concentration, or meditation.Right concentration, or meditation.
The Great BuddhaThe Great BuddhaTodaiji Temple in NaraTodaiji Temple in Nara
BodhisattvaBodhisattva
an enlightened being whovoluntarily postponesnirvana to help others
achieve individual enlightenment
Boddhisatva of peace and compassionmade from the ashes of the victims
in Hiroshima
Sanju Sangendo in KyotoSanju Sangendo in Kyoto
Memorials For ChildrenMemorials For Children
MemorialsMemorialsfor for
the deadthe dead
Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism
Basic Zen ConceptsBasic Zen Conceptsas told by Abbot Fukushima, Zen Master of the Tofukuji Zen Monastery in Kyotoas told by Abbot Fukushima, Zen Master of the Tofukuji Zen Monastery in Kyoto
The core of zen is “Mu” – the concept of “everything The core of zen is “Mu” – the concept of “everything and nothing.”and nothing.”
Zen teaches the experience of “Mu” – it is personal Zen teaches the experience of “Mu” – it is personal and individual.and individual.
““Mu-Shin” is a state of “empty mind” or “free mind” Mu-Shin” is a state of “empty mind” or “free mind” – when your heart and mind are empty and you can – when your heart and mind are empty and you can adapt and accept anything into them.adapt and accept anything into them.
Satori – enlightenment – “free to do anything”Satori – enlightenment – “free to do anything” ““Every day is a fine day.”Every day is a fine day.” ““Modern people think they know everything, Modern people think they know everything,
therefore they don’t know themselves.”therefore they don’t know themselves.”
Tofukuji Monastery in KyotoTofukuji Monastery in Kyoto
The monastery wasbuilt around 700 years ago.
There are 3,000 mapletrees thoughout the grounds.
The Tofukuji ZendoThe Tofukuji Zendo
more images of the Buddha at Tofukuji
a Zen Buddhist monk-in-training begs for money in Naraa Zen Buddhist monk-in-training begs for money in Nara
Honen-In Temple in KyotoHonen-In Temple in Kyoto
Ginkakuji Temple in KyotoGinkakuji Temple in Kyotobuilt in 1482built in 1482
Siddhartha by Herman HesseSiddhartha by Herman Hesse
Siddhartha by Herman HesseSiddhartha by Herman Hesse
• In the end, Siddhartha reaches enlightenment.
• However, Siddhartha never follows any one set of beliefs.
• Siddhartha’s name means “he who finds the goal.”
• Every man/woman achieves their own personal goal
differently.
• Is Siddhartha perfect?
(Good luck, good fortune)(Good luck, good fortune)