japan’s shinto and buddhist traditions by mr. kaufman bodine high school for international affairs

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)