Shinto: World Religions

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Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan.[i] Shinto means “Way of the Kami” or “Way of the Gods”. Shinto has no known founder; its roots lie deep in Japanese prehistory and extend to the land itself. [ii] Shinto is synonymous with Japanese character and has shaped and been shaped by Japanese culture. [iii] Shinto is loosely organized, and little was known about it before the eighth century C.E.[iv] Many aspects of Shinto are unique from other religions, such as their beliefs, practices and worship. Shinto only began to be defined when Buddhism became popular in Japan, threatening its existence.[v] Shinto has a rich history that has shaped the beliefs and practices of the religion, including its link to Buddhism and Chinese religions and its mythic origins. Important aspects of Shinto and the worship of kami are shrines, cleanliness, and festivals. Shinto was influenced and shaped by China and Chinese religions including Confucianism, Taoism and more significantly, Buddhism.[vi] The name Shinto is derived from the Chinese phrase, “Shintao”, meaning “kami no michi” or “ways of the kami”.[vii] “Shintao” is a combination of the Chinese words “shin” meaning “divine” and “tao” meaning “way”.[viii] Confucianism and Taoism had limited influence on Shinto, only shaping small aspects that already existed, such as the importance of family and rituals.[ix] Buddhism however had a larger impact on Shinto, namely on the belief of life after death and the worship of many deities.[x] Shinto has been closely associated with Buddhism for centuries and they share many temples and rituals.[xi] There was a time when Buddhism overshadowed Shinto that lasted nearly 1500 years.[xii] Today, around seventy percent of the Japanese population consider themselves to follow Shinto; however, forty-five percent of these people also claim to follow Buddhism.[xiii] Shinto began as

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