Belief Systems in Japan

Shinto and Zen

Today’s Goals

I Can…•Describe the Japanese business model and explain how it is different than the American model•Describe the basic characteristics of Shinto•Describe the basic characteristics of Zen Buddhism•Explain the similarities and differences between Zen and regular Buddhism

Shinto

• The term Shinto means “the way of the gods”• Emphasizes a respect for the beauty and power of nature

– Similar to Daoism from China• No sacred texts and no organized beliefs• Based off of the belief and worship of Kami meaning gods

– Spirits that live in living and nonliving things that people revere• Anything that a person respects, loves, or are in awe of• Everyone has their own view of what is to be respected and revered

– Believed to control the world and its natural forces like earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis• Similar idea to that of the “force” in Star Wars movies

Shinto

• Unlike other belief systems, Shinto does not explain death or proper behavior

• Followers place great effort on cleansing the dead– Ensures purity when the body returns to the earth– Promotes peace for the soul

• Followers place an emphasis on agriculture– Belief that you live and die by the success or failure of your crops

• Shinto had a major impact on World War II, but maybe not in the way you would have thought– Followers of Shinto have a strong feeling of superiority over all

other people

Zen Buddhism

• The word Zen means “meditation”– Zen focuses on attaining enlightenment through intense meditation

as Siddharta Gautama did• Important teachings

– All human beings have the potential to attain enlightenment• It is normally clouded by ignorance

– Lack of knowledge or education

– To overcome this ignorance you must• Reject the study of religious texts and practices

– You should instead focus all your efforts and energies on meditation• This will lead to a sudden breakthrough of insight and awareness of

ultimate reality– Meaning you will find your answers and become enlightened – Just like Siddhartha when he became the Buddha