| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,938,904
|
Article: 5073
[Religious]
Date Posted:
10/5/2002
11:40:11 am EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 5,242
RSS: 0
Comments: 3
|
Shinto: A Japanese Faith
Author: Bob Reeves Source: The Lincoln Journal Star (NE)
Title: SHINTO: A JAPANESE FAITH
The best definition of Shinto (and the one most commonly used by writers of religion texts) is "the indigenous religion of Japan."
Shinto has no founder, no official scriptures, and no fixed system of ethics or doctrines. Rather, it began in the earliest days of Japanese history and gradually grew into a body of rituals and practices that can be found in every part of Japan.
Shinto is often called "the way of the kami" because of its focus on spiritual entities known as kami.
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 3 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Ah, One Of My Favorite Subjects | Oct 5th. at 7:21:43 pm EDT |
by Emerald Eastwind (Lincoln Park, MI) - wc_xemail
If I'm not reading up on Wicca, etc. I'm reading about Shinto. I have Japanese relatives, and studying Shinto is a good way to understand where they're coming from, even if they're not active in the faith. Shinto is so deeply ingrained into the Japanese way of life, even down to the practice of removing your shoes before entering a house. I find it infinitely fascinating.
I had the good fortune to enter a jinja (shrine) in Hawaii earlier this year. My mom and I cleansed our hands and mouths at the well just past the torii (archway), walked up the steps, bowed, and recited a short prayer in halting Japanese (it was printed on a small sign in romanized Japanese for the convenience of non-Japanese speakers). Then we removed our shoes and entered. Since nothing was going on that day, it was empty. We sat in quiet contemplation for a short while, taking in our surroundings. The main room was surprisingly small, with about thirty folding chairs set up in neat rows. There were two steps leading up to large doors in front of us; I knew that behind the doors was the main, meat-and-potatoes part of the shrine. We left a small monetary donation in an envelope on a table, took a few pictures, and left.
I feel very fortunate whenever I'm able to enter houses of worship of a faith other than my own. Don't get me started on the HUGE statue of Buddha I also saw in Hawaii! :D Find More info -- HERE
|
| Well, This Sounds Familiar ... | Oct 5th. at 5:30:55 pm EDT |
by Arachne (Alturas, California) - wc_xemail
... to my version of Neo-Paganism! I've been thinking about looking into Shinto recently, and here it is. As I've said before, you guys must be psychic! Thanks for posting this article.
|
| Shinto In Film | Oct 5th. at 3:04:51 pm EDT |
by DragonD (Midlothian, VA) - wc_xemail
When watching the anime of Hayao Miyazaki, the famed director who is frequently compared to Walt Disney, the Shinto influence in rather evident. Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) exhibited this worldview in the ecologically oriented story of the forest spirits (kami), the humans and the interaction (good and bad) between the two. In Miyazaki's latest feature, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (The Spiriting Away of Sen and Chihiro, aka Spirited Away), this spirituality plays an important part. The setting is a bathhouse for the gods and contains characters (mostly background) which bear a remarkable resemblance to entities in Mononoke Hime. This is one of the things that raise Miyazaki's films above standard fare (including other anime). I hope that his recent offering opens the American market to more films made with such care and understanding of nature and humanity's place within.
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
