d_redant
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 Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:39 am Post subject: Shinto: the Way of the Gods |
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Shinto: the Way of the Gods!
By Dr Joshua David Stone
Shintoism is the name of the religion that the Japanese have worshipped from time immemorial. Shinto means "the Way of the Gods", or "God Like Way". It seems to have a similar type of meaning that Taoism has. Shinto is an all pervading indefinable way, which is quite universal.
Shintoism is a religion of the heart. It pervades Japanese culture, family ethics and national structure. It is the chief ingredient which has regenerated, and revitalizes the social and religious life of Japan. It has a quality of being polytheistic because of the multitude of gods that are worshipped.
According to Shinto theology, Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi is the absolute Universal Self. The visible universe is (Ken Kai). The invisible world is (Yu Kai). Both of these have come into being from Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi, and three sub dieties.
Fundamental to this structure of the universal way is absolute loyalty to the sovereign emperor who is regarded as a direct descendant and representative of the highest God. Also fundamental is respect for ancestors, and love and respect for parents and children.
As mentioned before, there are many Gods in Shintoism, but the sun God Anaterasu-omi Kami, is the Supreme Highest.
Purity is one of the highest ethics in Shintoism. This is broken down into outer purity or purity of the body, and inner purity or purity of the heart. A person with inner purity is seen as being able to attain God realization. One other strong guiding principle is that of sincerity. There are ten main precepts or ideals in Shintoism and they read as follows:
1. Do not transgress the will of the Gods.
2. Do not forget your obligation to ancestors.
3. Do not offend by violating the decrees of the state.
4. Do not forget the profound goodness of the Gods, through which calamity and misfortunes are averted and sickness is healed.
5. Do not forget that the world is one great family.
6. Do not forget the limitation of your own person.
7. Do not become angry even though others become angry.
8. Do not be sluggish in your work.
9. Do not bring blame to the teachings.
10. Do not be carried away by foreign teachings.
One of the common Shinto prayers reads as follows:
"Our eyes may see some uncleanliness, but let not our mind see things that are not clean. Our ears may hear some uncleanliness, but let not our mind hear things that are not clear."
Shinto Quotations
"The heart of the person before you is a mirror. See there your own form."
"Even the wishes of an ant reach to heaven."
"Leave the things of this world and come to me daily with your bodies and pure hearts."
"A single sincere prayer moves heaven. You will surely realize the Divine Presence through sincere prayer."
"Where you have sincerity, there also is virtue. Sincerity is a witness to truth. Sincerity is the mother of knowledge. Sincerity is a single virtue that binds Divinity and man in one."
"Retribution for good or ill is as sure as the shadow after substance."
"To do good is to be pure. To commit evil is to be impure."
"To admit a fault is the beginning of righteousness."
"The first and surest means to enter into communion with the Divine is sincerity. If you pray to a deity with sincerity, you will surely feel the Divine Presence." |
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