2. WHAT IS SHINTO ?
Shinto is the native religion in japan with its roots stretching
back to 500 B.C., and is a poly-theistic one venerating almost
any natural objects ranging from mountains, river, water,
rocks, trees, to dead notables.
To dedicate to those diverse deities, shrines were erected in a
sacred sports throughout Japan. Among the natural
phenomena, the sin is most appealing to the Japanese and
the sun Goddess is regarded as the principal deity of Shinto,
particularly by the imperial Family.
3. HISTORY
One of the standard classification of Shinto
history reduces it to four major periods:
Before the arrival of Buddhism in Japan
Shinto and Buddhism together in japan
The Meiji reinterpretation of Shinto in the 19th
century
Shinto after World War II
4. Before Buddhism
Before the arrival of Buddhism
TOSHO GU SHRINE, NIKKO
Shinto and Buddhism
Shinto and Buddhism together
THE SEVEN LUCKY GODS
Meiji Restoration
The Meiji reinterpretation of Shinto
MEIJI PERIOD PAINTING OF
IZANAGI
AND IZANAMI CREATING
JAPAN
MEIJI PERIOD PAINTING OF
JIMMU, THE FIRST
EMPEROR
SHINTO AFTER
WORLD WAR II
7. CREED
Shinto provides a world view that has become
central to Japanese cultural and national identity.
Shinto is founded on belief in kami, which are
spiritual being / essences / forces belonging to
nature that animate everything in the world
9. RITUALS
Shinto is a set of traditional rituals and
ceremonies rather than a system of dogmatic
beliefs or a define code of ethics.
Shinto Jinja or shrines can be found in groves
of trees all over japan.
12. SHINTO ANCIENT ARTS
JAPANESE FOLKLORE AND
THE SHINTO FAITH
SHINTO TSUKUYOMI-NO-
MIKOTO OLD ARTWORK
THE YOKAI IN JAPANESE ART
WILLOW AND CHEERY
TREE GODDESSES SHINTO
ART
13. CONCLUSION
Shinto is the ‘Way to God’. ‘Tao’ of Lao-Tze is also the ‘Way to God’. Lord
Jesus says: “I am the Truth, Way and the Life.” Lord Krishna says:
“Howsoever men approach Me, even so, do I welcome them, for the path
men take from every side is Mine, O Partha!”
The Way to God is as much important as the end or destination or God
itself. The Way to God is righteousness or Dharma. He who shows the Way
is the Guru or the spiritual preceptor. Guru and God are one. If you stick to
the Way, you soon reach God. If you stick to your Guru, you will surely
attain God-realisation. Way, Truth, Life-everlasting are one.
Glory to the Way, Shinto or Tao! Glory to Guru! Glory, glory to God, the
Destination or Goal of all religions. May Shinto or Tao guide you,
rejuvenate, vitalise and reinforce you all! Be true to Shinto or Tao.