confucianism and shintoism
Shintoism Location:
Shinto is the earliest religion in Japan.
It is unique to Japan and has not spread to other parts of the world.
Shinto means the “way of the gods”.
It was once the state religion of Japan and is still widely honored among the Japanese.
Beliefs:
Shintoism has no rules for moral living and no concepts of a single ruling god.
There is no single text that is followed.
It centers on the reverence of the kami (divine spirits that live in nature).
Many Japanese believe that the mountains and rivers in Japan are home to these kami and are considered very sacred.
Shintos offer prayers and perform rituals to honor and please the kami.
Most Japanese households have a small shrine where the family will offer prayers for the spirits they hope will bless and protect them.
Many worship their ancestors who they believe became kami when they died.
Shintoism stresses the virtue of cleanliness and teaches physical purity.
Since Shinto offers no ideas of a moral code, a god, or life after death, many people who practice Shinto also practice another religion as well.
Shintos worship natural spirits called kami and these spirits are found in all of nature such as rocks, trees, and the sky.
The main rule in Shintoism is to demonstrate loyalty to one’s ancestors.
Polytheistic- about 800,000 gods.
Practiced by 60 millions people globally (many in Japan). Followers are called Shintos.
Kami
Shinto does not have one single, Creator. Each kami plays its own role in the ordering of the world, and when faced with a problem, the kami gather to discuss the issue to solve it.
Therefore, people pray to different Kami for differing things.
Confucianism
Location
Confucianism is not a religion but rather a philosophy that is often said to be the foundation of modern Chinese culture.
Confucianism was declared the official guiding practice for the Chinese government in 121 BCE.
It has continued to have great influence on Chinese government for over 2000 years.
Many people in China still support the teaching of Confucius and his emphasis on dealing with others fairly.
Confucianism is also practiced by others in East Asia.
Confucius
Confucius was born in 550 BCE, a time when the government was having trouble keeping order and warlords controlled much of the land.
He believed he knew how to bring peace to ancient China – the key was for people to behave with good character and virtue.
Confucius created a moral structure for social life and politics that every person should follow.
Confucius was not a religious prophet or leader; he saw himself as a teacher.
Basic Beliefs
Confucianism is thought of as a philosophy (a way of thinking) or ethical system (a system of good behavior) based on good deeds and morality rather than faith in a deity.
Right Relationships
Confucius believed there were five basic relationships among people:
1) ruler over subject
2) father over son
3) husband over wife
4) older brother over younger brother
5) friend to friend.
He believed that if each relationship were based on kindness and leadership, there would be peace and harmony in the country.
He believed it was the job of the person in the superior position to take care of those inferior to them and the job of the person in the inferior position to respect and obey the superior person
Sacred Text
The Four Books and Five Classics are the most important books on Confucianism written before 300 BCE.
These are texts that explain the values and concepts of Confucianism and they have very strongly
influenced many cultures in East Asia