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Major Religions of Japan: Shinto & Buddhism

Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan dating back as far as Japan itself. It coexists with Buddhism, which was introduced from China and Korea. Both religions influence Japanese culture without sacred texts or single founders. Shinto priests perform rituals at shrines while allowing marriage. Buddhism consists of Buddha's teachings and various sects like Zen. Confucianism also came from China focusing on morality and loyalty. Christianity was briefly prominent but banned due to intolerance and involvement in slavery. Today, religion is part of ceremonies for most Japanese rather than daily life.

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382 views9 pages

Major Religions of Japan: Shinto & Buddhism

Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan dating back as far as Japan itself. It coexists with Buddhism, which was introduced from China and Korea. Both religions influence Japanese culture without sacred texts or single founders. Shinto priests perform rituals at shrines while allowing marriage. Buddhism consists of Buddha's teachings and various sects like Zen. Confucianism also came from China focusing on morality and loyalty. Christianity was briefly prominent but banned due to intolerance and involvement in slavery. Today, religion is part of ceremonies for most Japanese rather than daily life.

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gil tabion
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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JAPAN’S

RELIGION

RICHARD U. CAYABYAB

(Ph. D. – MATH, PRESENTOR)


SHINTO

– means “the way of the gods“


– is the indigenous faith of the people
and as old as Japan itself
– It remains Japan’s major religion
alongside Buddhism
– does not have a founder nor sacred
scriptures like the sutras or the Bible
– “Shinto gods” are called kami; they are
sacred spirits which take the form of
things and concepts important to life
SHINTO

– there is no absolute right and


wrong, and nobody is perfect
– Shinto priest perform rituals and
often live on the shrine ground
grounds and are usually aided by
younger women called miko
– Men and women can become
priests, and they are allowed to
marry and have children
BUDDHISM

– it originated in India in the 6th


century BC, was imported to Japan
via China and Korea in the form of a
present from the friendly Korean
kingdom of Kudara
– it consists of the teachings of the
Buddha, Gautama Siddharta
– Of the main branches of Buddhism,
the Mahayana or “Greater Vehicle”
Buddhism found its way to Japan
BUDDHISM

– It has initial conflicts with Shinto but – Nichiren sect was founded by
were soon able to co-exist and even Nichiren and considered
complement each other
exceptional due to its intolerant
– Jodo sect (pure Land sect) was founded stance towards other Buddhist
by Honen and was followed by different sects
classes
– Jodo Shin sect(True Pure Land sect) was
founded by Shinran
– Zen sect was introduced from China and
were popular among the members of the
military class
CONFUCIANISM

– was founded by Confucius;a


Chinese philosopher
– It was introduced to Japan via
Korea
– Some of the most important
Confucian principles are humanity,
loyalty, morality and consideration
on an individual and political level
CHRISTIANITY

– was brought by Europeans in


Western Japan together with the
gun powder
– Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued an edict
banning missionaries from the
country due to the religion’s
growing power, intolerant behavior
towards Shinto and Buddhism, and
involvement in the sale of
Japanese people as slaves overseas
CHRISTIANITY

– Tokugawa Shogunate accused the


religion of obstructing the
authorities, antisocial behavior and
intolerance towards the
established religions
– Today, about one to two million
Japanese are Christians (about one
percent of Japan’s population)
Japan’s Religion

– Religion does not play a big role in


the everyday life of most Japanese
people today. The average person
typically follows the religious
rituals at ceremonies like birth,
weddings and funerals, may visit a
shrine or temple on New Year

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