Burhan Riaz 1 SPC 160807/22/2009Informative Outline

Informative Outline on Shinto Shrines

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the tradition of Japanese/Shinto shrine worship.

Introduction

I. “Art is not in some far-off place. A work of Art is the expression of a man's whole personality, sensibility and ability.” - Said by Shinichi Suzuki (Fisher, 2008).

II. In America, you may believe that religion is mutually exclusive from culture but in Japan, the traditions of Shinto are practiced by everyone including Christians and Buddhists.

III. In my World Religions class, we’ve learned that Shinto is not considered a religion in Japan. Instead, it is a way of life that transcends the limitations of other religions.

IV. The most important aspect of Shinto is its sacred shrines which I will be discussing today.

V. To find and successfully enter a Shinto shrine, you must locate a Torri, go through the purification, and successfully pay respects to the Kami.

[Transition: To begin with, we must first know how to locate a Shinto shrine.]

Body

I. A Torri and a pair of Komainu indicate that you are entering a shrine.A. A Torri is a wooden gate that symbolizes the entrance to the spirit realm in which

Kami or spirits live. (Nakano, 2009). Picture (JSNW).B. There are 100,000 shrines in Japan and it is believed that every Japanese citizen is

in walking range of a shrine. (Fisher, 2008).C. Komainu are stone statues of animals that are placed near the shrine to protect the

Kami. (Nakano, 2009). Picture (JSNW).

[Transition: After locating the shrine, you must purify yourself before entering.]

II. Instead of wiping away your sins, purification wipes away your impureness that may repel the Kami. A. Take off your shoes since they have touched the ground and are impure. (Nelson,

1996).B. With a ladle, wash both hands and rinse your mouth at the purification fountain.

(Nelson, 1996). Picture (JSNW).

[Transition: Finally, you may enter the shrine and pray to the Kami.

III. Inside the shrine, you must follow proper procedure to pray to the Kami. A. Place any amount of money to the offerings box. (Fisher, 2008).

Burhan Riaz 2 SPC 160807/22/2009Informative Outline

B. Ring the gong to gain the spirit’s attention. (Fisher, 2008).C. Bow twice and clap your hands twice to pray for whatever reason and bow ……once more to end the prayer. (Fisher, 2008). Picture (JSNW).

Conclusion

I. Now you know how to locate a shrine, purify yourself before entering, and to successfully pay respects to the Kami.

II. If you are ever in Japan, don’t be afraid to take the journey through the gate of the spiritual realm.

Burhan Riaz 3 SPC 160807/22/2009Informative Outline

References

Fisher, Mary P. (2008). Living Religions (7th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Nelson, J. K. (1996). A Year in Life of a Shinto Shrine. Seattle, WA: University Of Washington.

Nakano, H. (2009). The Shinto Shrine. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from

ooohttp://int.kateigaho.com/aut04/kyoto-shinto-shrine.html

Japan Society North West - Gallery. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2009, from

ooohttp://www.jsnw.org.uk/photoarchive.htm