Southern and Eastern Asia

South and East Asia Belief Systems: Shintoism

Discovery Ticket #3

Re-Performance Lesson

•Shintoism is a belief system that is unique to Japan.

•It has not spread to other parts of the world.

•Shintoism was once the official state religion of Japan and is still widely honored among the Japanese today.

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Origin

•Shintoism is based on the traditional Japanese teaching that everything in nature contains kami, or the spirit of a god.

•Many Japanese believe that the mountains and rivers in Japan are home to these kami and are considered very sacred.

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​Kami

•Shintoism follows no single, primary god or text.

•Instead, Shintoists follow daily rituals that help connect them to nature and to their ancestors.

•Shintoists are expected to respect and honor all life and nature.

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​Beliefs

•Shintoism also teaches that physical purity (cleanliness) is more important than moral purity.

•Followers must perform many ceremonies and rituals to cleanse and purify the world.

•Since Shinto offers no ideas of a moral code, a god, or life after death, many Japanese who practice Shinto also practice another religion as well.

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​Beliefs

Multiple Choice

Shintoist believe in the following beliefs/ideals...

• Suffering exists but can be overcome through enlightenment

• Each person has a place in society

• Everything in nature contains kami (spirit of ancestors)

• A person's karma can determine his/her position in the next life

Multiple Choice

This religion is from Japan and claims no founder.

• Buddhism

• Confucianism

• Hinduism

• Shinto

Multiple Choice

In the belief system of Shintoism, it follows . . . .

• A sacred text that must be adhered to at all times

• No set of rituals

• no single, primary god or text

• to shun others

Multiple Choice

Since Shinto offers no ideas of a moral code, a god, or life after death, many Japanese who practice Shinto _______________.

• also practice another religion as well.

• never practice another religion

• makeup and follow their own god or gods

• develop their own set of moral code.

Multiple Choice

Shintoists follow daily rituals that help _____________________________.

• their soul stay holy and sacred

• abide by their ancestral rules and regulations

• connect them to nature and to their ancestors

• set goals for their spiritual life