As Shinto pretty much blends with Buddhism, I thought I'd post this here. Also the Sakura will soon be making an appearance in Japan, so this kinda ties in with it. Anybody else interested in Shintoism? Or aspects to with it?
I admit I don't have much knowledge about Shinto ... It believes in kami, right? That is -- spirits (not kami-sama, or God), sort of animistic? (Correct me if I'm wrong, which I probably am.) Edit: sakura wa kire desu ne
i'm really interested in it, but I don't know enough about it to satisfy myself. Can anyone suggest some good sites I could go to and learn about it?
Aye, you're on the right lines. Shinto (meaning "way of the gods" ) is a religion of nature, focused on kami (supernatural spirits), in which the force of nature is concentrated. The force of nature is also seen as kami and is seen as divine. Hence why many Shinto Shrines are situated in places of natural beauty. It is the oldest religion of Japan and is more a religion of experience rather than of doctrine, which is why it blends so easily with Buddhism (which came to Japan in the 6th Century). The reason I made this post is to also learn more about it. Especially anything about the sevon gods... I know bits about Daikoku, but not about the others. Also, I'd like to learn a little more about the supreme god "The sun goddess Amaterasu". I know the basics of her story, but not enough to satisfy me. And yes... the sakura is indeed very beautiful. CHERRY BLOSSOM PARTIES!!! woot!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto Looks like I hit the nail on the head: "It is a form of animism. It involves the worship of kami, which can be translated to mean "sacred spirits which take the form of things and concepts important to life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility"." I think Shinto is pretty interesting, as far as beliefs go ... I just read the Wikipedia article on it, and learned a lot of things I didn't know before ... Anyhow, fountains of nay, I noticed you live in Japan? How is Japan these days? I've been studying Japanese a little bit over the past year, and I've thought of visiting sometime in the future. =)
Interesting how many native Animist religions blend with Buddhism, I also found this in North Lao...Then we have Zen Buddhism which is essentially the bastard of child of Buddhism and Taoism... But if the core element is there then it doesn't matter.
Wikipedia, hehe... It is fast becoming the terrestrial version of the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.
I definately recommend visiting Japan, it's one of those places that even if you explain and describe it in the most amazing way ever, you still wouldn't come close to actually knowing how great it is. If you are into Buddhism and Shintoism... DEFINATELY check out "Narita-san".
