Japan's+Religion


 * 1. How did Shinto and Christianity shape their respective countries?**
 * 2. How did Shinto and Buddhism practices affect the daily life of Japan?**
 * 3. In what ways did Christianity alter the traditional religion of Japan?**

Shinto and Christianity have shaped their respective countries for many, many ways. Shinto, being the main religion of Japan for many years, shaped many aspects of their development as they grew. Christianity, spreading all throughout Europe, had shown people the path to live for almost as long as it was there. These two religions had been influencing the way of life in their countries for a very long time.
 * How did Shinto and Christianity shape their respective countries?**

Shinto is a deep expression of ancient culture in Japan, and its origins go back to a very early time. Shinto has no supreme God and heaven, but it is a place where Kamis live. The Kamis are like the gods of Shinto. In the very, very beginning, Shinto was only a combination of beliefs, myths, and practices, but that was because Japan had virtually no writing, painting, or sculpting at that time. When Buddhism came to Japan from China, it strengthened the religion and imperial government of Japan. Buddhism was a state religion, and Shintoism appeared as a resistance against central authority. While people tried to combine the two, it didn’t __#|work__, and in the Meiji period, the government forced Shinto and Buddhism to separate.

From that point, Shintoism developed its own style and intricacy, splitting off into different forms. Koshitsu Shinto, which was the general term for conclave rituals, were usually done by the emperor. Shuha Shinto, which were originally created to separate government-owned shrines from local religious practices, had their own individual Shinto practices which they did in groups together. Shrine Shinto were rituals practiced in Japanese temples, which strengthened the Japanese identity and devotion to the Emperor. Folk Shinto has the many folk beliefs of deities and spirits. Some practices of Folk Shinto include divination, spirit possession, and shamanic healing. All of these different forms of Shinto are intermixed inside every person.

Almost all Japanese traditions have some Shinto culture mixed into it. In Sumo Wrestling, the two wrestlers throw down handfuls of salt to purify the arena, and kick one another to crush forces of evil. The referee comes from a family specialized in the function, and dresses as a priest for such occasion. As well, mixed public bathing is seen as a ritual of communion with nature. Shinto does not imply any particular belief. There is very little superstitious belief in the Kamis, and people don’t seek out any rational justification. Shinto is just an expression of belonging in the national community for many, and by participating in Shinto ceremonies, people prove their willingness to maintain harmony of nation. The Shinto celebrations mark special events of individuals or the community or nation. They are simple occasions for people to rejoice being alive.

Despite Japan being such a technologically advanced country, Shinto is still well adapted into it, surprisingly. People do simple things such as going to a temple on Sundays, walking in gardens, or doing purification rituals. Hundreds of thousands of people go to festivals at shrines. Shinto goes into their daily lives naturally, telling them what to do for almost everything without them even realizing it.

Christianity, the main religion of Europe back in the Middle Ages and such, dominated the entire continent. To become a Christian, a person had to believe in the Christian message, commit him/herself to the Christian lifestyle, and repent for all the sins he or she’s done. Christianity spread throughout Europe until it became the largest religion in Europe, and it’s been practiced all the way from the Middle Ages until today. Even today, over 70% of Europeans consider themselves Christians.

Many kings and groups became Christians, giving the Christian Church more and more power. Eventually the __#|Church__ began owning more land and gaining more power. They set up educational and medical services in many places, as well as monasteries. But they didn’t translate the Bible, making it so only their monks could read it. This actually also gave them power, as they could say anything and t hen say it was a part of the Bible, and people couldn’t read the Bible to check. Christianity dictated social status and laws to many people, dictating rules and how to act to people. It provided sanctity for both the oppressed and fugitives. It also had its own supreme court where people could be judged and excommunicated if guilty, and many people feared being excommunicated, so they obeyed. If you were excommunicated, you would supposedly go to hell when you died. You weren’t allowed to take place in any Church activities anymore, and you were denied all Church services. And while people feared being excommunicated, they feared death from regular courts more, so they went to church. As Christianity grew in power, it began spreading farther and farther across the world. Christianity has even spread to Japan, taking over as its main religion today. While many people don’t believe in religions, Christianity is still quite dominant with control over beliefs of the world. So in short, while they don’t seem like it, both Shinto and Christianity have been having a long-lasting effect on the beliefs, culture, and lifestyle of the people living in their countries.


 * H****ow did Shinto and Buddhism practices affect the daily life of Japan?**

Shinto and Buddhism are a great part of Japan’s life. Shinto and Buddhism are the most important religion in Japan. Shinto and Buddhism affected japan in several ways such as history, culture, and daily lives. Shinto and Buddhism have shared cultural, spiritual, and political roles in shaping Japan’s society. Religion affected Japan’s society. The beliefs of the people played an important role in Japanese government. Shinto and Buddhism were given a role in supporting the growing influence of central government. The Religious establishment was also one of the independent power blocks in Japan’s government. The respect for family, respect for nature, politeness, and the cleanliness of Japan are all of part Shinto and Buddhism’s valuable teachings. These play an important role in Japan’s daily life. Shinto and Buddhism became the official state religion of Japan supported by state funding. Worshippers make up 80 to 90 percent of the population following as Shinto or Buddhism. Shinto was enthusiastically promoted by Japan's militaristic. Many popular sites such as shrines were developed by the religions of Japan. Religion was a major part of Japan’s ceremonies. Religion gave people beliefs so they held ceremonies to make sure the spirit of kami will look after Japan and its people. Buddhism acquired a strong intellectual tradition in Japan. Marriage, birth, and a funeral make up most of the religious practices to religion of Shinto and Buddhism because Shinto represented the spirit or life and Buddhism represented death. Religion gave them activities such as songs and dances. The Japanese believe that songs are magical instrument that summon a god and offer prayers for blessing. Music is a great part of the religion. Every part of Japanese culture and society has been affected by the two great religions in Japan.

Japan has a wide variety of religious practices including Shintoism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Christianity was the last of these religions to arrive on the shores of this island nation yet its influence has altered the traditional religions of Shintoism and Buddhism in several different ways. Shinto is considered to be the native religion in Japan.It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written historical records of the and in the 8th century. Shinto is no longer Japan's official state religion. However, it is considered the native religion of Japan, Shinto practices and teachings were given a great deal of prominence during World War II, they are no longer taught or practiced today.
 * In what ways did Christianity alter the traditional religion of Japan?**

Buddhism is a religious indigenous to the that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed tothe Buddha. The Buddha lived and thought somewhere between the 6th and 4th century.

The Roman Catholic Jesuit missionaries who arrived in Kagoshima in 1549 first introduced Christianity to Japan. By the end sixteenth century, the number of Christians had reached about 300,000 when the Tokugwa shougnate prohibited Christianity and expelled all foreigners. With the arrival of Christianity the practices of the other religions were affected in several ways; When Christianity arrived Japan many people start having their thoughts towards Christianity leaving behind Shinto and Buddhism. With a great increase in Christianity Buddhism and Shinto decreased in popularity. Overall Christianity alters the traditional religion in Japan changing the beliefs and rituals of a big part of the population in Japan.



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