Anyone who knows about Shinto and Buddhism in Japan?
Ok, so for my Facebook page I put down Shinto-Buddhist for my religion, since in Japan many Japanese practice both Shinto and Buddhism (I and my mom are part Japanese), but my mom found it on my page and got mad (she's Baptist). I tried to explain to her that I like the Shinto-Buddhist way of looking at things and I could choose what I wanted to be not her but then she started yelling that I'm to young to know anything (I'm 16). Then she went to look it up on the computer. She started reading and said that I don't do any of the rituals that Shinto-Buddhist do so I couldn't be a Shinto-Buddhist. So, after she left and went to work I got on here and went to the same website as her and read the same stuff (on Wikipedia) and I found a line that said 'Shinto and Buddhism typically do not require professing faith to be a believer or a practitioner,...' I was wondering that even if I don't do the rituals (or rather I can't since I live with my parents and that their aren't any shrines near where I live) does that make me not be a Shinto-Buddhist or does it still count and my mom's just being crazy?
I really love how they think about all of nature as Kami and that you are reborn after you die. I really like the festivals that they have their for the Kami. I hope that when I get older that I will be able to move to Japan and learn more but for now in my current position I'd just like to know if this is OK for now.
OK for the questions that are their and any future ones I would do the rituals if I could but I can't, parents won't let me. The only thing I'm trying to find out is if what my mom is saying is true or if she's just trying to stop me or whatever. Again, if I could I would but I can't. I'm sorry if it sounds like I just started this religion 'CZ it sounded cool, which it does, but that's not why I want to join. I've loved this religion for about 5 years, while I can't say that I've practiced it ('CZ of parents) I can say that I've known and read alto about it but again I can't say that I know everything about it. So please answer with a good informational answer that will help me resolve my disagreement with my mother.
Rather than try to espouse on a subject I don't know well enough to talk about, I would refer you to the website for one of the few licensed Shinto Shrines in North America.
I don't know much about Shinto, darling, but my understanding is that a person is Shinto the way she is Japanese - not through practice or ritual, but, as with nationality, through identification and intent.
You can certainly adopt Buddhist principles and practices without going to a temple and formally becoming a Buddhist...and most Buddhists I know don't worry too much about the formal part.
Now is a good time to research and learn the basics of Buddhism and Shinto and find out what they are about (do some research on pantheism - you sound like that's what's attracting you to Shinto). It's best to know a bit more about something before you identify yourself with it.
Monotheistic religions tend to be about power and control of their followers and not much else. Their goal is to be the only religion and any means to achieve this goal are often acceptable (Rome became Christianized because the unwashed fanatics threw stones at the non-Christians' homes. Because the majority just wanted to live in peace they joined). Polytheistic religions tend to be more about providing services for their followers. There are exceptions to both.
In the case of Shinto, Gods of other religions are recognized as just another Kami (there are about as many Kami as there are natural objects in the universe) so there is no problem belonging to Shinto and one or more other religions (including being a Baptist). Unlike Western religions, Shinto is about how you live your life, not about going to church on Sunday to impress the neighbors (and give money to the priests). Many Shintoists only go to a shrine a few times in their life.
As far as the rituals go, Shintoists believe that everyone and everything starts out clean and pure and becomes contaminated along the way by thoughts, actions, and contamination with unclean substances (such as blood). Shinto rituals are designed to remove the contamination and restore the pure state. But a proper attitude--seeing the Kami (or divine spark) in every natural object and person--is more important than attending rituals. Shinto looks upon this life as the place to be happy and doesn't view it as just a preparation stage for the next life.
Shinto has four basic tenets:
1. Family--Respect for family traditions is very important because they nurtured you and shaped your outlook on life. Note: This means respecting your parents views. You're not a Shintoist if you cause discord. Arguing with your elders is not the Shinto way.
2. Cleanliness--Physical cleanliness as well as mental cleanliness are both important to avoid contamination and live in harmony.
3. Love of nature--Living your life in harmony with nature and society is the surest way to happiness.
4. Festivals--Celebrating the bond between nature, society, and the Kami.
Note that Shinto isn't a religion that you "join". That is there is nothing like baptism. If you live your life according to the Shinto tenets, then you're a Shintoist. You can register with a shrine, but that's mainly about getting on a mailing list.
For some light entertainment about Shinto, you might try watching the Aime "Kamichu". While this is mostly fantasy, it does give a pretty good representation about the attitude Shintoists have.
For additional study:
A major Shinto shrine in Japan:
http://www.isejingu.or.jp/shosai/english/index.htm
A scholarly site from a major Shinto university:
http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/
And a local shrine in North America (already posted by another poster, but I'll post it here again):
http://www.tsubakishrine.org/
Note also that you'll find some differences between these sites. Shinto has no founder and although there are Shinto texts, they are not central to the belief. So each Shrine has it's own views which may or may not correspond to other shrines. All embrace the four tenets but their focus may be different. There is an organization of Shinto shrines but not all shrines (including some major shrines) belong to it.
Most Japanese pick up and combine lo res or commandments from Buddhism, Shinto, other local Kami(yes! there are so many Kami-Samar here and there in Japan!), and other religions on earth (their God(s) are also Kami-Samar) as she or he likes.
You can do like that. Then you don't have to argue with your mom.
But I think you haven't understood the meaning of "reborn".
Neither do many teenagers in Japan.
Neither do many people who are tired and can't stand their situations.
Sometimes they think they can reset their life by ending their life. But It's not the way Buddha taught.
You are you. But on the other hand you are a part of a great energy of entire LIFE.
You are tiny yourself but an irreplaceable member of thousands years of never ending history of LIFE at the same time.
I think that's why Buddhists value harmony with other people. You'll get along with your mom if you understand the way of thinking...
It's hard to explain the concept of the religion with my English! I hope you understand my answer.
Lets get some real basics out of the way first ..99.9% of all Japanese say they are Buddhist and Shinto ..and for 99% of them it means nothing more than a hopeful saying like ..have a good day .. or good luck to you .. they don't believe or adhere to a moment of it . If there is a huge festival in town and there is fun and food and fireworks and thousands of people and costumes and fun ..... everyone and anyone would show up and they do ..When they are polled they will honestly say they know nothing about the religion and basically don't care either ..So whether you are of Japanese or Scottish or Latvian decent .. it means absolutely nothing as far as religion ... for people who are atheists or agnostic and want people to think they are involved in some odd religion that most people don't know much about .. yeah it's a great non- religion...Sort of like Confucianism which isn't even really a religion but basically a philosophy ..
The odd thing about your statements about religion is that you are seeking one that you like .. one that pleases you and fits into your lifestyle ..My opinion is this is exactly why it's Wrong for you .The truth is the truth apart from what we think or wish it to be ..If we had created the universe then maybe our opinions would matter but our feelings are only subjective and therefore changeable ...the truth is absolute and rigid ..it will knock off the sharp edges off of you . It will hurt at times but it's honest and unbiased .. Like the line in "A few good men " with tom cruise and jack Nicholson When jack screams at tom saying " You can't handle the truth " ..Most people can't and would rather be deceived than accept the truth that hits them in the ego or demands that they lose their pride or be honest with themselves .. They said of Jesus ... "no man has ever spoken the way this man has " lots of people are talk in about peace love and understanding .. not too many said "as you do it to the least of my brethren .. so you've done it unto me " or i am the truth the life and the way .. no man comet to the father ..but by me ..he alone is the one way to god ...all things were created Thur him by him and for him ...Quite a bit different than superstitious mambo jumbo that even the people who live eat and sleep it ignore as wishful thinking and something to do on new years eve. go to a shrine ring a bell and flip a coin into a fountain and read a fortune off a lil piece of paper from the wall .. jesus made all the molecules that hold a billion galaxies each containing a billion stars .. Your mom is right .. impress us all and learn some seriously good doctrine and seek the truth in a living savior who is both creator and an ever present help in time of need . your mom is right .. your mom is right .. your mom is right
Don't listen to "I ain't know", he is eating food with his butt and spewing crap out of his mouth. Internet research is the best way for Americans to adopt Shinto (way of the Kami). The Nihonjin (Japanese people) really made the flower of the Dharma into some sort of golden lotus (a pathetic attempt from a white boy to sound all Asian poetic). Once you are 18, you can get the cops involved if you really had to in order to get you parents off of your case. But you folks could also cut you off. If you really love it go for it. Unless there is a taboo reason to not do it maybe think of what kind of Kami live around you. They like certain places, like islands mountains and natural features that are unique (like maybe a rock formation that looks like it has a face) and think of rituals that you think would happen around those places. There is no reason for a Shintoist or a Buddhist to do only and exactly what your parents say, respect them. But that does not mean that you have to adapt their beliefs. And even if a Shintoist says that you have to, you can think for yourself in both traditions. you also might want to look into Taoism. But that might be just a major headache.
I practice Nichiren Buddhism (not a Sig member) and Japanese Buddhism is keel.
Latashia WA bucked Desi.
Anyone who knows about Shinto and Buddhism in Japan?
