RGST3 FINAL STUDY GUIDE

Theravada

- the more conservative of the 2 major traditions of Buddhism (the other being Mahayana) which had stricter monastic rules and did not include the bodhisattva ideal, which is why it did not become the root of other Buddhisms in East Asia

- it is referred to as "hinayana" (inferior vehicle) by Mahayana Buddhism

Pure Land

- also known as Jingtu, it is a branch of Mahayana Buddhism that developed from Mahyana cosmology and the idea of a new landscape of enlightenment filled with buddhas and bodhisattvas

- through faith in cosmic buddhas combined with a moral life, one could be reborn into a "Buddha-Land" beyond the realm of samsara

- among new "cosmic buddhas" was Amitabha Buddha , and devotion to Amitabha and chanting his name (nianfo) became means of enlightenment

Chan/Zen

- comes from the Sanskrit word "dhyana" meaning meditation and is a tradition of Mahayana Buddhism that also infused with Chinese Daoism

- influenced by Mahayana scriptures as well as the concepts of emptiness (shunyata), Buddha-nature, and mind-only reality

- Bodhidharma is the legendary founder

- emphasized meditation

- it is a unique Chinese innovation in Buddhism and has no counterpart in India

Lotus Sutra

- one of the most important texts in Mahyana Buddhism known as the Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonderful Law

- claimed that all beings can attain Buddhahood by following the One Vehicle (the Buddha Vehicle)

- text filled with parables known as "expedient means" (fangbian) which the Buddha used to teach

- taught that the Buddha is eternal and his parinirvana and attainment were only expedient means

- taught that the Buddha attained enlightenment in the infinite past and is always in the world preaching the dharma

- people invoked the name of bodhisattva Guanine

Hinayana

- called the "Inferior Vehicle" by Mahayana Buddhism and rejected because it was limited and not open to all classes

- more strict on monastic rules, cultic practices, and metaphysical doctrine

Mahayana

- the "Great Vehicle" Buddhism that used this name to distinguish itself from Hinayana (the inferior vehicle)

- regarded Dharma as the real, true, good, nature of things

- to understand dharma is enlightenment (bodhi) and to experience it is nirvana

- viewed the Buddha as an embodiment of Dharma

- new cosmology of cosmic buddhas that are beyond the limits of this world; through faith in cosmic buddhas, one could be reborn into "Buddha-Land" beyond samsara, therefore being the foundation of Pure Land Buddhism

- Chan/Zen influenced by scriptures of this Buddhism as well as concepts of shunyata (emptiness), buddha-nature, and mind-only

jingtu/jodo

- "Pure Land" that developed into the popular form of Buddhism that was only a formal school in China for a brief period of time but became a long term movement

- refers to the tradition of devotion to Amitabh Buddha in rondo

- 6th century teachers advocating the use of incantations (dharani), leading to nianfo in this type of Buddhism

- came about as a broad branch of Mahayana Buddhism and stressed other power over self power

- even those who have committed heinous crimes have "buddha-nature"

Tiantai (Tendai)

- the mountain (translated heavenly terrace) which the Lotus School of Buddhism was named after founded by Saicho as a response to the Lotus Sutra in Japan as a branch/sect of Mahayana Buddhism

- term means heavenly terrace, but generally refers to a particular school of Mahayana Buddhism with connections to this region/mountain

- Saicho simplified bodhisattva vows for monks and taught the school on the famous mountain

Amitabha/Amituofo/Amida

- the most popular cosmic Buddha among the developing Mahyana cult whose name means Buddha of Infinite Life

- extremely important in Pure Land Buddhism0 it is his grace, not works, that allows o to the Pure Land

- chanting his name is a practice known as nianfo, and was meant and through his grace

Buddha-nature

- in Pure-Land Buddhism, it is believed that all living things possess this nature that is identical to that of the Buddha, and therefore all are able to attain salvation

Nichiren

- school of Mahayana Buddhism founded by Nichiren

- he taught that chanting "Namu Myohu Renge Kyo" (praise to the Lotus Sutra) was the only practice effective to attain enlightenment and be reborn into Pure Land in the age of mappo (Age of the Degenerate Dharma)

Saicho

- founder of Tendai Buddhism, a descendant of the Lotus Sutra school, who wanted to be in harmony with other Mahayana Buddhist schools

- simplified bodhisattva vows for monks to 12 years of schooling

- established Mt. Hiei as Buddhist learning center

Zazen/Zuochan

- sitting meditation emphasized as means to enlightenment in Caodong Chan/Zen school

- meditative discipline to calm body and mind and experience insight into nature of existence and thereby gain enlightenment (satori)

- generally, this practice is taught in one of three ways: (1) concentration, (2) koan contemplation, and (3) "just sitting" (shikantaza)

Dogen

- one of the founders of the Soto (Caodong) school of China

- focused on idea of Shikantaza (objectless meditation)

- said "nonthinking" is the art on zazen

- Chinese Chan Buddhist writer, philosopher, and priest

nianfo/nembutsu

- recitation of Amitabh's name as a means of attaining salvation

- easy and effective power related to "other power" as it allowed anyone to become enlightened through Amitabh's grace, replacing meditation as the "self power" means to salvation

- implemented as the easier necessary way for the Age of Degenerate Dharma (mofa/mappo)

shikantaza

- "just sitting"

- objectless meditation using heightened concentration to remain aware of phenomena that rise and pass away

- one of the three ways (the ultimate way) that zazen sitting meditation is taught

Koan/Gongan

- literally means "public case"

- enigmatic or shocking verbal encounters between masters and students used as pedagogic tools in Chan/Zen Buddhism

- originated in Tang/Song China

- pithy, epigrammatic, elusive utterances that seem to have a psycho-therapeutic effect and thought to embody enlightenment experience

- form of contemplation as one of the three ways of Zazen; form of zazen that became primarily practiced in Linji/Rinzai school

- cannot be solved by intellectual reason; meant to short-circuit the intellect and lead to direct experience of reality beyond thought

Mahakashyapa

- the first patriarch of Buddhism who received wordless transmission of Dharma from Sakyamuni

- depicted as laughing in the crowd of Sakyamuni's disciples as he is the only one who truly "understood"

Dharmakara

- a Mahayana Buddhist monk meditated for 5 eons and established a "Pure Land" in which there is no negative karma, unlimited life spans, and is ultimately a state of perpetual "bliss"

- he vowed that any being who sincerely wishes to enter this Pure Land can do so if (1) they meditate on it 10 times, (2) they desire enlightenment, live morally, and vow to be reborn there, and (3) they meditate on the pure land, practice virtue, and dedicate their merit

Bodhidharma

- legendary founder of Chan/Zen Buddhism/ first Patriarch of Buddhism in Cina

- famed for his teachings on meditation and promoted Mahayana doctrine in China

- his meditation is known as "wall gazing" or "wall contemplation"

- taught that enlightenment was a steep an sudden experience

- supposedly stared at cave wall for 9 years and tore eyelids to keep from falling asleep (origin of tea)

- one of the many "meditation masters" on Chan/Zen

- mediated and gave wordless transmission to Huike, known as the "mind seal"

- he is a critical figure because he is an Indian who transmits his Buddhist knowledge to a Chinese disciple, therefore establishing China's roots in Buddhism

- emphasized a special worlds transmission that allowed one to discover the self and attain Buddhahood

Caodong/Soto

- one of the 2 main schools of Chan Buddhism founded during the Tang dynasty that emphasized sitting meditation (zazen) as the means to enlightenment

- aimed at observing the innermost nature of one's mind

Linji/Rinzai

- teachings marked by abrupt, harsh encounters with students like "shock therapy" meant to catalyze enlightenment experience

- founded one of the 2 schools of Chan/Zen Buddhism

- iconoclastic teaching style

Tendai

- also known as the "Lotus School" because it focused on the Lotus Sutra

- people invoked the name of bodhisattva Guanyin

- tiantai means "heavenly platform"

- founded by Sancho in Japan

- stressed the idea of expedient/skillful means as a way of explaining all the different Buddhist teachings coming in to Japan that may have appeared conflicting

Shingon

- school of Buddhism that was popular in China during the Tang dynasty

- it is a tantric Buddhism (tantra being the Buddhist view of sex as a flow of different energies)

Huanyan/Kegon

- it is known as the "Flower School" of Buddhism

- it was the first school of Buddhism to develop in China

tariki

- "other power" in Pure Land Buddhism that often refers to the power of the grace of the Amitabh Buddha

- it is this power that allows one to enter the Pure Land, not jiriki (self power)

jiriki

- "self-power" in Pure Land Buddhism that cannot save according to Honen, as only Amitabhas grace through recitation of his name could save

bodhisattva

- in Mahayana Buddhism, a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays in doing so in order to help others attain enlightenment

- Pure Land Buddhism believed in a pure land filled with these

Flower Sermon

- story of the origin of Chan/Zen in which Sakyamuni Buddha transmits direct wisdom (prajna) to the disciple Mahakasyapa

- he gives a wordless sermon to his disciples who don't laughs

- emphasizes transmission of dharma or enlightenment experience as an intellectual experience without words or letters

- Mahakasyapa's smile signifies the transmission of wisdom without words

Platform Sutra

- a Chan Buddhist scripture supposedly written by Huineng promoting his teachings and the "Southern School" of Chan Buddhism

- paradoxically, it is a "scripture that rejects scriptures"

- said the base of Buddhism was not on words and letters, but was an intellectual experience

- promoted "sudden enlightenment" over gradual enlightenment

Huineng

- the sixth patriarch of Buddhism in China who is said to be the author of the Platform Sutra even though he is an "illiterate woodcutter" from Southern China

- won in poetry contest between him and high monk Shenxiu

- his becoming a patriarch is viewed as Chan Buddhism opening up to all stratum of society

- promoted "sudden enlightenment"

- his teachings became prominent through the efforts of his student Shenhui

Dogen

- a Japanese Buddhist priest, writer and philosopher that was one of the founders of the Caodong school and emphasized shikantaza "just sitting" meditation

- described nonthinking as the art of zen

- considered shikantaza in zazen to be identical to studying Chan/Zen

Linji

- one of 2 main schools of Chan Buddhism founded by Linji Yixuan

- teachings marked by abrupt harsh encounters with students (like "shock therapy" meant to catalyze the moment of enlightenment

- "if you meet the Buddha, kill the buddha..." shocking phrase which encompasses ideas of shunyata (emptiness)

shunyata

- idea in Mahayana Buddhism meaning emptiness

- nothing has an underlying nature, essence, or identity because everything is dependent on causes and conditions and is in constant flux

emptiness

- key idea in Mahayana Buddhism, referring to the claim that nothing possesses an actual permanent identity, essence, or nature because everything is dependent on causes and conditions and is in constant flux

Honen

- the founder of Pure-Land Buddhism

- charismatic teacher that enthusiastically practiced nembutsu (chanting of Amitabh's name)

- taught that nembutsu was the only requirement for salvation, not meditation or merit

Shinran

- Honen's disciple who continued to emphasize nembutsu as a means of entering the Pure Land

- made 2 innovations to Pure Land Buddhism: (1) institutes practice of married clergy, (2) asserts that only a single nembutsu was needed to enter the Pure Land

- had a dream about bodhisattva Guanyin/Kannon and found her and married her, saying he was neither layman or clergy and establishing marriage of clergy in Pure Land Buddhism

- salvation by grace alone with single nembutsu since only grace alone would save, not works

- only "other power" (tarok) can save, not "self-power" (jiriki)

dhyana

- the Sanskrit term for meditation that was emphasized in Chan/Zen

- pronunciation of this term led to name "Chan" which became a collective name

tri-kaya

- a Mahayana Buddhist doctrine of the "Three Bodies" of the Buddha: dharmakaya, nirmakaya, and sambkogakaya

dharmakaya

- the "Essence Body" in the three bodies (tri-kaya) of Mahayana/Pre Land Buddhism

- this body is meant to be the true body of the Buddha; it is the Buddha body in its self-nature

- in this way, the truth body related to the idea of Buddha-nature

sambhogakaya

- the "bliss body" in the Three Bodies (trikaya) in Mahayan/Pure Land Buddhism

nirmanakaya

- the apparition body of the Buddha in Mahayana/Pure Land Buddhism that was viewed as an illusion (maya)

- it is the "Transformation Body" in the 3 bodies of the tri-kaya

mofa/mappo

- according to Pure Land Buddhism, one of the 3 ages of the Dharma known as the Age of Degenerate Dharma

Guanyin/Kannon

- bodhisattva in the dream of Shinran who was said to marry him when he found her and instituted practice of marriage in clergy in Pure Land Buddhism

"other power"

- translated as "tariki", it is the power of Amitabh's grace that saves and allows one to enter the pure land

- the opposite of self-power

"self power"

- translated as "jiriki", concept in Pure Land Buddhism

- according to Honen, only Amitabh's grace, not jiriki could save a person and allow them to enter the Pure Land

benevolence, ren

- acting with propriety (li) externally, one cultivates this internally

- it is an inner feeling of that corresponds to respecting parents and ancestors (xiao)

- can also mean humaneness

- says we should have respect and care for each other

propriety, li

- a key principle in a sage's way of life according to Confucian teachings, the heart of which is filial piety (xiao)

- acting with this externally, one cultivates benevolence (ren) internally

- the purpose is to establish proper relations in family and society

filial piety, xiao

- heart of propriety (li) requiring respect and obedience to elders and responsibility for raising youth

- illustrated in the 5 relationships

- from the Confucian point of view, one's country is an extension of family

jungzi ("superior person")

- originally referred to son of noble man in aristocracy, but was extended by Confucius to anyone who behaved in a certain good manner

- Confucius believed anyone could become a "gentleman" or "superior person" through study

yin-yang

- idea of balance between the energies of nature developed during the Zhou period

- balance between polar energies of yin and yang lead one to prosperity; on the other hand, when these forces are out of balance, there is pain and suffering

- one should understand the movements and balance of nature's energies to better be able to predict the future

- this idea was stressed in the Yijing Classic of Divination--> the aim of the trigrams was to balance the powers of yin and yang

Kongfuzi/Confucius

- aristocrat from China viewed as the most important figure in the development of Chinese philosophy

- In the Analects (Lunyu), he calls himself "a transmitter who invented nothing"

- believed in human goodness and education

- promoted a way of life based on a sacred power known as the Dao

- his 5 classics provide a "humanistic" education that transform individuals into "noble men" (junzi)

- "propriety" (li) is a key principle in a sage's way of life and the heart of propriety is filial piety (xiao)

- illustrates principles of li, xiou, and ren in the 5 relationships

Mengzi/Mencius

- most famous disciple of Confucius

- believed human nature is good and people need education to protect innate goodness

- taught living properly meant living in accordance with the Dao

- established public education in China

Xunzi

- another disciple of Confucius born near the end of Mencius's life who believed humans are innately evil

- taught people need strict guidance and needed to be forced into civil conduct

ren

- Confucian value referring to benevolence, which is cultivated though internal propriety (li)

- idea that if you have an inner wishing to do well and help others you

xiao

- filial piety, meaning respecting and obeying family

- a key confucian ideal that is the heart of propriety meaning reverence or respect to ancestors and family (filial referring to son or daughter and piety referring to reverence or respect)

- it is the respect of a son or daughter toward their parents but can also refer to all hierarchal relationships (subject to master)

li

- Confucian value meaning "propriety" referring ti appropriate behavior and etiquette

- a key principle in a sage's way of life and viewed as the key to establishing order in Chinese society

- originally used to refer to rites for gods and ancestors, but Confucius expanded the term to apply in all aspects of life

- the heart of propriety is filial piety

- the purpose of propriety is to establish proper relations in family and society

- by acting with propriety internally, one cultivates benevolence (ren) externally

mandate of heaven

- know as tianming, idea that arose in the Zhou dynasty replacing ancestors as the divine principle

- idea that a ruler could continue to rule so long as they were sanctioned by the power of heaven

- this idea was known to be a cycle in which the ruler would eventually displease heaven and a new leader would arise

tian

- the concept of heaven which became particularly important in the Zhou dynasty as the new divine principle governing the earth

- something like a god, law, or abstract principle that governs the activities on earth

- correct order of ritual performance in Zhou dynasty was the goal; trying to align the activities on earth with the activities of heaven

tianming

- new divine principle that arose in the Zhou dynasty

- means Mandate of Heaven and is defined as the idea that the ruler has the divine sanction of heaven that gives them ultimate political authority or legitimacy

- understood to be cyclical

- eventually the ruler would be immoral and lose the sanction of heaven, and therefore and new ruler would be selected

tianzi

- means "son of heaven"

- the emperor in the Zhou dynasty became know as the son of heaven because they were selected according to the mandate of heaven (tianming) to rule

- the emperor maintained the authority to rule so long as they had the mandate of heaven

rites

- refer to rituals performed to please ancestors

- the term "rit" means sacrifice, offering, etc.

- Confucius expanded the meaning of this and makes the practice the purpose themselves

- by performing these rituals correctly according to Confucius, one becomes attuned with the forces of nature and ensures prosperity for themselves and their family

- Highlighted in the Classic known as the Liji

- aligning activités on earth with activities of heaven was the goal

Yijing (Classic of Changes)

- book of divination

- one of the 5 classics in Confucian scripture

- talks about the changes of the elements as they interact with each other

- consists of trigrams (broken and solid lines representing yin and yang forces)

- linkage of trigrams allowed one to answer questions

Warring States Period

- the last final stage of the Zhou Dynasty characterized by warfare, social strife, natural disasters, etc., indicating that the Mandate of Heaven had been lost

- political units fragmented, preventing unity

- poems about this period question the benevolence of heaven

Zhou Dynasty

- the longest lasting of China's dynasties following the Shang Dynasty and considered to be the golden age of Chinese civilization

- perceived to be eliminating the corruption that arose near the end of the Shang dynasty and became the ideal civilization in future Chinese religion

- Confucius's goal was to return Chinese civilization to the practice of this dynasty

- in this dynasty there is a refinement of themes and concerns of previous dynasties, such as the importance of rituals

- this dynasty concerned itself with rituals to please heaven rather than ancestor

Lunyu (Analects)

- teaches the main confucian ideal of filial piety (xiao), "genuine human" (jungzi), ritual propriety (li), heaven (tian), benevolence (ren), 5 social relationships, the way (dao), virtue (de)

- in this text, Confucius calls himself a "transmitter who invented nothing"

"Five Classics"

- the heart of Confucian scripture that provided a "humanistic education" transforming the individual into a "noble man" (jungzi)

- The Classic of History (shujing) is a collection of speeches and documents from the 6th century

- The Classic of Poetry (shijing) is a collection of poems, folk songs, eulogies probably compiled by Confucius

- The Classic of Changes (Yijing) is a book of divination

- The Classic of Rites (liji) contained ancient rites and court ceremonies

- The Spring and Autumn Annals contain the history of the Lu region

divination

- telling the future in consultation with the higher powers

- in early Chinese civilization, the king would consult oracle bones by carving questions into the bones and superheating the bones to form cracks; the pattern of these cracks were the answers to the questions

"Five Relationships"

- father to son, elder brother to younger brother, husband to wife, elder to junior, and ruler to subject

- relationships that illustrate Confucian values of li, xiao, and ren

- from the Confucian point of view, one's country is an extension of family

- according to Confucius, humans exist in a hierarchy of relationships patterned according to nature

- when these five relationships are harmonious, inner nature is harmonious

- establishing harmony in these relationships is a huge part of the Dao (way)

dao

- a way of life based on sacred power promoted by Confucius known as the "Way"

- indicates the "way" in the sense of a road or path

- According to Confucius, it is the "Way of Heaven" which governs human relationships and society

- can be used as a noun or a verb

- the absolute principle underlying the universe

oracle bones

- in early Chinese civilization, a divination practice in which the king would take the breastbone of an ox or turtle and write questions in the form of statements on the bones about the future; the bones would then be superheated and would crack; the patterns of the cracks were regarded as answers to the questions from the ancestors

Shang Dynasty

- the dynasty preceding the Zhou dynasty

- this dynasty prioritized rites in order to please ancestors

- the emperor of this dynasty was like a priest and it is his connection to the spiritual world that makes him fit to be a ruler

- this dynasty held belief that the unseen world was populated with ancestors who continued to control and interfere with human life on earth

- Oracle bone divination was seen in this dynasty

- central figure in the spiritual world known as Shang Dhi--> the ultimate ancestor to all

Duke of Zhou

- one of the rulers of the Zhou dynasty

- Confucius considered him to be the ideal ruler and makes mention of him in the analects

Laozi

- revered sage in Daoism who probably didn't actually exist, but is attributed with many Daoist ideals

- in Daoism, the name means "Old Sage" and refers to "many anonymous masters"

- stressed "nature mysticism" and gave advice to rulers in the Daodejing (the main text under Laozi that is credited to him)

- stressed the idea of the Dao being the different forces of yin and yang in balance leading to creation

Zhuangzi

- the second most important text in Daoism named after the sage

- explores the mysterious Dao in everyday human life (differs from Laozi in this way)

- it is filled with anecdotes and parables exploring the Dao in everyday life

- one important parable is the Butterngzi explores ideas of existence, death, knowledge, etc. which in Daoist philosophy and art

Daodejing

- main text of Daoism

- Classic of the Way and its Power

- book of "nature mysticism" and advice to rulers attributed to Laozi (old sage)

- highly influential text with over 700 commentaries explaining the nature of the Dao which cannot be explained, discusses concepts of yin-yang, de,

dao

- idea that began to emerge around the same time as Confucius arising somewhat against Confucian teachings

- means the "way" as in path, method

-can be used as either noun or verb

- cannot be described in words

- not a god, but is still numinous, ineffable, and the origin of all things

- gives rise to all things but itself has no will or intention

- to experience it one must let go and do nothing (wuwei)

de

-Chinese term referring to excellence, virtue, power, energy, or charismatic force

- achieved by moving in harmony with the Dao

- expressed as power, wisdom, moral bearing, and confidence

- arises from experience of mysterious and profound Dao

qi (ch'i)

- life force/energy in Daoism

- religious Daoism focuses on meditation to increase this life force and ultimately attain immortality

wu-wei

- idea of action less action in Daoism

- exhibited through a form of effortlessness

- emphasizes ideal that de is not shown through striving, planning, or training

- although it has been translated as inaction, the Daodejing clearly states that one should be active

- in order to experience the Dao, one must let go and do nothing

- Laozi said "Do nothing and nothing will remain undone"

Philosophical Daoism

- one of the 2 forms of Daoism that came from the Daodejing and later thinkers such as Zhuangzi

- people under this branch believed humans were connected in a web of dynamic forces

- yin-yang is a way to understand this

- Yijing is an important text in this form of Daoism

- the Yijing uses trigrams to explain yin-yang forces

Religious Daoism

- one of the 2 forms of Daoism based on filial piety (xiao)

- respects the state and Confucius

- people who practice this form of Daoism seek immortality

- some emulate sages known as the "8 Immortals"

- includes 3 different paths to immortality: meditation (qigong) to increase the life force (qi), alchemy (mixing substances to make elixirs), and exercise and diet

Huang-Lao

- predecessor to Daoism that focused on the worship of Yellow Emperor

- influential Chinese school of thought that was particularly popular with the royal court

- included longevity practices and techniques

Zhuangzi (text)

- the second greatest Daoist test after the Daodejing named after the sage

- filled with lively parables and paradoxes that explore the mysterious Dao in everyday human life

- contains famous passage of Butterfly Dream

Laozi (text)

- the main text of Daoism attributed to the sage but probably written my many anonymous masters

- stressed nature mysticism and advice to rulers

Amaterasu

- "The Great Deity Shining from Heaven" in Japanese Shinto religion

- part of the Japanese myth cycle and one of the major deities of the Shinto religion

- battles with brother Susano-o who causes her to hide in a cave, where the kami around her coax her back to the world with an erotic dance

- origin for dance, theater, and shamanism in Shinto religion

- sends grandson Ninigi to earth, and his great-grandson becomes the first human emperor Jimmu

Kojiki

- The "Chronicle of Ancient Events" completed in 712 CE also translated as the "Records of Ancient Times"

- it is the first text written in "Japanese" and therefore very difficult to read

- in response to the influx of Chinese and Korean influences of Buddhism, the emperor desires that histories of Japan be written to help prevent takeover of other cultures

- myths in this text centered around Yamato clan gods who become central in Japanese pantheon of religion

Nihongi

- "Chronicles of Japan" issued in 720, similar in information to the Kojiki, but new approach to language and accords more closely with continental historical chronicles

- legitimizes royal line in Japan by founding emperor's authority in antiquity

- the second oldest book of classical Japanese history

- myths in this text centered around Yamato clan gods who become central in Japanese pantheon of religion

kami

- means gods, spirits, deities, or beings who possess sacred power

- in Japanese Shinto religion, believed to be beings who inhabited and constantly animated the natural world

- early Japanese believed all of nature to be imbued with kami, and that there were originally no human beings, only kami

Izanagi

- one of the main figures in the Shinto creation story

- the male god who churns the water to create land of Japan and hack Kagu-Tsuchi to pieces

- takes ritual bath after chasing his sister/wife in death to cleanse from death pollution and the sun goddess is born from his left eye

Izanami

- one of the main figures in the Shinto creation myth

- the female god who helps churn the ocean to create the land of Japan and gives birth to 8 small islands and 35 deities

- last son, the heat/ fire kami burns her up, and she goes to the underworld, where her brother/husband chases her

Susano-o

- brother of Amaterasu in Japanese Shinto myth who battles her and causes her to hide in cave

- the god of sea and storms also known for mischievous behavior

Yamato

- the clan that arose following the Kofun period whose practices and beliefs became the basis of Shintoism in Japan

- revered the sun goddess, regarded as ruler of heaven and ancestress to the chieftains

- Japan's strong association with the sun goddess is because of the power of this clan

Kitsune

- the Japanese word for fox, the common subject of ancient Japanese folklore

- stories depict them as intelligent beings and possessing magical abilities to change form

- still extremely prominent in Japanese religion and culture today

Jomon Period

- period in Japan from 14000-300 BCE in which the Japanese were still an undeveloped society based on hunting and fishing

- relics and pottery from this period suggest a strong preoccupation with burial and fertility rituals

- by the end of this period, arrivals from Asia brought rice farming and we begin to see a more agricultural society

Yayoi Period

- period following the Jomon period marked by more advanced pottery techniques and intense cultivation of rice

- society becomes more stratified through different roles in rice cultivation leading to development of "classes"

- however, clans are still fragmented and there is no central authority in Japan

Kofu Period

- period in Japan following the Yayoi period that shows a particular preoccupation with death rituals

- the term "kofun" means something like burial tomb erect for ruling classes

- it is in this period that the Yamato clan arises and becomes dominant