|
Shinto is the native belief that existed before Buddhism was introduced in the 6Th century.
For Japanese Shinto deals with life here and now while Buddhism deals with death and what comes after. Shintoism believes everything particularly in nature as a spirit called a Jami.
Shintoism holds that Japan (and presumably the world) WA created by two deities who then later gave birth to Amatersu-no-origami, the sun-goddess. For ages, the Emperors claimed divinity due to being a descendant of her.
There are a number of shrines at Buddhist Temples because the shrine deities are perceived as being like divine bodyguards of the temple.
Another aspect of shrines is they often have either foxes or lion-dogs. The foxes are INRI or rather messenger of INRI the god of food.
Temples have devils which are actually protective to keep evils away.
As for the belief of Buddhism, it would take a while and keep in mind there are a number of different sects even in Japan so it gets confusing. Teh bottom line is the idea of the illusion of life and the escape of rebirth in this world into nirvana
|