Religion & Spiritual Customs in Japan

Shintoism and Buddhist believers in Japan account for the majority. In Japan the era of Shinto and Buddhism studies (a kind of syncretism) lasted long. There is an ambiguous aspect in the distinction between Shinto and Buddhism even after the separation of the Buddha and Buddha in the Meiji Restoration. Also, in order to escape the Buddha Buddhism, there are many cases that what was originally a temple became a shrine. For these reasons, altar Festival Buddhist altar are also at home, the Buddhist temple parishioner of the shrine and at the same time is a parishioner home that is also not a few. This is why it is said that more than 200 million people agree with those who believe in Shinto and those who are devoting to Buddhism. Changing the viewpoint did not regard that the two religions Shinto and Buddhism existed in parallel in Japan, there was a unique faith in Japan where Shintoism and Buddhism swallowed each other and became all together (or even now It is also considered that it is natural. Both in the current Historically, birthday, seven hundred fifty-three \- age ceremony , such as and prayer events Halle Shinto's event is, such as that surrounding the funeral, memorial service and views of life and death foul will share the functions to Buddhism plays It can also be said that they together constitute a view of religion.Shinto system is about 120 million people, the Buddhist system is about 90 million people, the Christian system is about 2.94 million people, the other about 906 Total million people, totaling 191.71 million people, which is about 1.5 times the total population of Japan. However, in a questionnaire survey for individual citizens, the result of 20% to 30% often comes out for "people who have some beliefs or beliefs''.

The following are listed as factors that make these figures

• ###### *As statistical surveys are conducted by religious corporations as a respondent as a respondent, each religious organization tends to inevitably declare the number of believers of its own organization to a greater extent.*

• Regular Christianity, Islam and other participating in worship services are not treated as believers until receiving ceremonial ceremonies such as baptism and Shahada. Also, in many Christian organizations, it is common for expenses to be expelled in a few years in case of lost communication. However, in Shintoism and Japanese Buddhism , examples in which all local residents are regarded as female , those who are believers of other teachers or those who express no religion are counted in the dancer of the temple to which the birthplace belongs , the Hatsumode to the shrine There are examples to calculate the number of supporters calculated from the number of sales and distribution of spells such as defenders and wishes, including examples of including worshipers of the number of believers.
• In current Japanese society, generally, which religion / religion is believed is not much regarded, and individuals are also less conscious of their own faith (including cases of self-recognition of no religion). Therefore, there is little raise of protest voices to the survey method which can be said to be something like the above, and inconvenience does not occur in real life at the same time. In addition, there is a negative view toward religion in general, there is also a tendency to ask others to ask faith itself as a taboo.

• ###### *Buddhism*

Buddhism in Japan is mostly Mahayana Buddhism. The denomination (Kamakura Buddhism) which was established in the Kamakura period has become the cornerstone of today's Buddhism, has deeply influenced the history of Japan, many believers are present, occupying the majority of Japanese Buddhists. Tracing back on history, Buddhism is said to have been brought to Japan in the 6th century. Nara period in the "Nanto Rokumune was called" East Asian Mādhyamaka, tattvasiddhi, East Asian Yogācāra, Kusha-Shū, risshū, Kegon and spread. Heian era to the envoys with Tang had many monks to learn Buddhism over the (China). As representative existence, Teruyoshi opened the Tendai sect, centering on Lotus Sutra and Esoteric Buddha after returning home, Kukai learned the esoteric religion which preaches the Dainichi Nyorai created by deifying the sun as the center of the universe, and then opened Shingon sect after returning home. The Buddhist scriptures, but a thousand years from preaching the teachings of Buddha are properly taught is transmitted Practice (Masanori), then thousand years is taught to mere facade(Zoo), after the Zobo latter days That is, we cannot correctly listen to Buddhism, there is no one to understand correctly, that is, the thought of the arrival of the age of darkness is written (Final thought). In Japan, in the Heian period, thought that it entered the final law in 1051 (although there are some viewpoints), the painful consciousness that it already entered the final law caused some movements among people. One movement is spreading among aristocrats and common people who are poor and ineffective, with faith in the Amitabha Nyorai desiring a despair in this world and wishing for the happiness of the afterlife (temple pure land), and this temple based on this religion is nationwide scale It was erected in.

Shinto

By the time that the hunting and fishery of the Jomon period and the collection of natural objects were mainly used, it was said that there was a custom in which people recognized the existence of a spirit in natural phenomena, fear, avoid misfortune by magic, pray for nature, Fully considered. In the late Jomon period, rice crops are transmitted to Japan, spread rapidly to the Japanese archipelago, and reach the Yayoi era. In " Kojiki " there is detailed information such as imperial family and myths. "Nihon Shoki" and "Ancient Letter" are also established, and Shinto uses it as a norm. The "god" of Shinto means that there are particularly virtues, among all things including nature, humans, animals and plants, that people are fearful and refraining. However, there are also terrible Gods, like the "fishermen" that bring disease. The "god of rain" gives rich water, but it will rain heavy rain and cause floods. It is also worthwhile to oblige God to vow to live in coexistence with nature, keeping the rules of nature. Nara period comes in; the shrine to Jinguuji was built, now God is enshrined in the temple.

Christianity

It is a missionary work by Francisco Xavier of the Jesuits to know that Christianity has been reliably transmitted to Japan by historical materials. It was supposed to be Midorika in the Sengoku period, 1549, and initially almost Xavier and missionaries of the Jesuits only started missionary work. Xavier initially entered Kagoshima and started doing missionary work there. After that, the Franciscan societies came to Japan and carried out missionary work. These are mostly Catholic, and at that time it seems that Protestants, which were still emerging teachings, were hardly coming in. Originally, the warring country lord names who were dying for the expansion of the group basically welcomed the Europeans with the latest knowledge and skills, and Christianity also spreaded relatively smoothly. Some of the Daimyo were attracted by new ideas of Christianity and entered them, and they were called the Christian Daimyo. However, due to several incidents such as the case of Saint-Felipe, it came to be evaded by powerful persons, and it was forbidden by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who eventually played a unified reign.

Confucianism

In addition to Shintoism and Buddhism, although it is rarely conscious as a religion, Confucianism has a big influence mainly on funerals and view of life and death. Although ideas such as ancestral beliefs are now incorporated into Buddhism, they originally contradict Buddhist philosophy, originating from ancient private faith and Confucianism. Important customs relating to ancestor retirement, such as bodhisattvas, lawyers, etc., are mainly derived from Confucian origin in that form. Confucianism as thought, morality and political norms was learned mainly in the ruling class, and after the Meiji era also directly and indirectly influenced the common people as well.