Comparing Buddhism And Shintoism In Japan

People from all parts of the world have their own specific set of beliefs that they choose to follow. The religions that people choose to follow are often influenced by their social location. Our families and the culture that people are born into often shapes how we experience and view the world. All of the different religions that exist in this world have their own system of beliefs that set them apart from the others.

In Japan, there was a time when both Buddhism and Shintoism were seen as reflections of one another. The religion of Shintoism did not evolve to what it is now without the help of Buddhism. John Breen and Mark Teeuwen suggest that “Before the Meiji policy that authorized the ‘separation’ of Shinto and Buddhism, Japanese religious culture had been to all intents and purposes defined by Buddhism” (4). In fact, Shintoism and Buddhism are the two religions that are most often practiced in Japan. Although the religion of

Shintoism has its roots in some of the ideas of Buddhism, that doesn't necessarily mean that they are completely similar to one another.

The teachings, beliefs, and the history between the early connections of Buddhism and Shintoism will be compared to see how and why these two religions are the principal religions that the people of japan practice.

Shintoism is the indigenous religion of Japan that focuses on the worshipping of ancestors and nature’s elements. It is a religion that can be traced back to japans earliest history. Buddhism which developed in Northern India, revolves around the idea of being enlightened by the teachings of the Buddha. One of the fascinating things that these two religions have in common is how the teachings of these two religions focus on having the individual follow a certain set of rules where individuals grow and become

better versions of themselves or enlightened versions of themselves (Carter 1). The article, Japanese Ethics, focuses on the ethics that are followed by the Japanese and Robert E. Carter mentions how in japan “a particular emphasis is placed on the transformation of the individual: a self-cultivation that requires following pathways to enlightenment marked out by these traditions, usually involving various meditative practices” (1). When It comes to comparing these two religions side by side, it is only correct to first examine these two religions at a time when Shintoism was not recognized as the indigenous religion of Japan. Before the Meiji government decided to recognize Shintoism as a religion that is independent of Buddhism, there was a time when these two religions were practiced at places known as temple-shrine complexes. In the article, Tracing Shinto in the history of kami worship, Teeuwen and Scheid state that “Within this system, groups specializing in kami worship existed alongside a number of more mainstream Buddhist factions” (196). It was during these times that the word Shinto was more synonymous with the term kami and the worshipping of kami rather than being recognized as an official religion that focuses on the deification of their ancestors and nature’s elements.
Shintoism teaches individuals to emphasize the ideas of cleanliness and simplicity. Cleanliness both physically and spiritually is thought to be needed in order to be in good terms with the Shinto deities because physical impurity is thought to be correlated to moral impurity and that does not sit well with the Shinto deities (Kawasati 481). The simplistic side of Shintoism is expressed through the construction of their shrines, as Kawasati puts it “One who visits a Shinto shrine observes that all the shrines are constructed of pure wood, are thatched, and are characterized by rigid simplicity” (481). Shintoism also teaches their followers to be true and genuine with their friends and family. Dishonesty and not being straightforward with people is frowned upon in Japan and not the way of the Shinto deities. People who practice Shintoism are never supposed to be disrespectful to any of their family members. In Buddhism, individuals are thought to be conflicted by timeless suffering and are perceived to be oblivious to how the world is supposed to work. People who are in this cycle of suffering need to be enlightened by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. The path that Buddhist have to take in order to achieve this enlightened version of themselves is to follow the teachings of the Buddha which is otherwise known as his Dhamma. The teachings of these two religions do transform the individual but the driving force behind why individuals decide choose to follow these two different paths are quite different.
Shintoism has a lot of unique aspects that set it apart from Buddhism and it starts with their belief systems. First off, Shintoist believe that their ancestors and all elements of nature embody a god in some shape or form. This means that trees, mountains, the ocean and other elements of nature all characterize a god. It is important to develop and maintain a good relationship with the Shinto deities, as it is thought that being in good terms with the Shinto deities will bring them and their families blessings. Shintoist also believe that the spirit of their ancestors remain with the family and are thought to be protecting and watching over them, which is why deity worship is seen as important. Failing to pay the proper respects to Shinto deities is inconceivable and Kawasati even mentions that “The welfare of the living is contingent on the welfare of the dead. The worship of ancestors, therefore, becomes expedient and necessary “ (480). When it comes to what is considered morally right or wrong , the Shintoist believe that there is no such thing as wrongdoing and that everyone has good intentions In them. As long as individuals are doing what is expected of them and are following “The ways of the gods” which is what Shintoism translates into then there is no wrongdoing. A Shintoist sole purpose is really on keeping the Shinto deities happy by following their ways and in return they will be rewarded. However, in Buddhism , the teachings of the Buddha does not focus on meeting anyone's expectations because there is no deity to follow . An individual’s decision to follow the Buddha’s dhamma is their own doing and because they feel that they need to be enlightened. Buddhism only provides individuals with a way to reaching this enlightenment which is through understanding the four noble truths. The first noble truth revolves around the understanding that in life there will be suffering, and this suffering can come in many different forms. The second noble truth is that there is a reason for this suffering that one experiences , and that reason may be the desire for wanting to attain something. The third noble truth is that there is a way to have this cycle of suffering remedied and this is known as nirvana. Lastly, the fourth noble truth is that there is a way to achieve nirvana and eradicate this cycle of suffering which is through following the eight fold path. Serious comprehension of the four noble truths will be needed to end this suffering as mentioning in the words of the Buddha that “as soon as the absolutely true knowledge and insight as regards these Four Noble Truths had become perfectly clear in me, there arose in me the assurance that I had won that supreme Enlightenment unsurpassed”(1).
In conclusion, both of these religions share quite a connection with each other that can be traced to very early in history. Shintoism is a polytheistic religion that has multiple gods that a Shintoist has to appease to. Whereas Buddhism is a non-polytheistic religion that focuses on the individual and his or her path to enlightenment. Shintoism would not be where it is today if not for the contributions that Buddhism earlier in Japanese history which was a time when Japan was still trying to make an identity for themselves. These two religions appeal to the Japanese for a lot because they’re the two religions that have helped define the Japanese culture.