4-Japanese Religion-A Brief Introduction

Shinto

The indigenous folk religion of Japan, focusing on kami (spirits) and the natural world.

Kami

Spiritual beings or elements; can refer to gods, spirits, or mythological figures in Shinto.

Buddhism

A religion founded in India that emphasizes the path to enlightenment and the end of suffering through practices such as meditation.

Pure Land Buddhism

A popular branch of Buddhism in Japan that focuses on calling upon Amida Buddha for salvation.

Zen Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation and the realization of Buddha-nature in all beings.

Confucianism

A system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius, influencing Japanese culture and social order.

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the superiority of one's own culture or ethnic group, often viewed negatively.

Animism

The belief that all things, including inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence.

Shinto Torii Gate

Symbolic gates that mark the entrance to sacred ground in Shinto; they represent the transition from the mundane to the sacred.

Nirvana

The ultimate goal in Buddhism, referring to the liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

Reincarnation

The process of rebirth, where an individual's soul is born into a new body after death.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful God, primarily associated with religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Animistic Elements

Concepts in Shinto where all things are believed to have a spiritual life or sacredness.

The Eightfold Path

The fundamental principles of Buddhism that guide ethical conduct and lead to enlightenment.

Tao (Dao)

A philosophical concept in Chinese thought, often translated as 'the way'; in Japan, it refers to a way of life or path.

Aum Shinrikyo

A Japanese new religious movement that gained notoriety for the sarin gas attacks in Tokyo; now renamed Aleph.

Gosho

The writings of Nichiren, which form important texts for Nichiren Buddhism.

Kaminomichi

Japanese term potentially referring to the path of the kami or ways of worship in Shinto.

Shusaku Endo

A Japanese author known for his novel 'Silence,' which explores themes of faith and cultural friction.

Tenrikyo

A religion founded in Japan by a woman in the 19th century, emphasizing a singular God uniting all kami.

Cults

Religious or social groups often characterized by unorthodox beliefs; contextually applied to various new religious movements.

Hidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitan)

Japanese Christians who practiced their faith in secret during periods of persecution.

Bukkyo

Another term for Buddhism in Japan, referring to the religion's teachings and practices.