Shinto and Me (purification, tradition, Buddhism, beliefs, creation)

[Azakel]

I have follow a few different religion in my still young life to try and help me find my place in this world. But I have found that Shinto seem like the one for me. At times I know it might seem wired for some one who is both white and doesn't live in Japan to follow Shinto. I even feel wired sometimes, but when a Goddess appears to you, you listen(at lest I do). I have asked the few Japanese friends I know if it okay for one who is not Japanese to follow Shinto, and they tell me yes. Though I am not Japanese I feel that there are some little things in Shinto that don't really work for me(more latter).
Here is a little bit about Shinto from what I know:

A Kami is a God, or more a Divine being, or Spirit. Everything in this world has a Kami, you, me, the rode out side, your dog or cat.....etc.
There are four types of Shinto:
Shrine Shinto (神社神道, jinja-shintō) is the oldest and most prevalent of the Shinto types. It has always been a part of Japan's history and constitutes the main current of Shinto tradition.
Sect Shinto (宗派神道, shūha-shintō)is comprised of 13 groups formed during the 19th century . They do not have shrines, but conduct religious activities in meeting halls. Shinto sects include the mountain-worship sects, who focus on worshipping mountains like Mt. Fuji, faith-healing sects, purification sects, Confucian sects, and Revival Shinto sects. Konkokyo, Tenrikyo, and Kurozumikyo, although operating separately from modern Shinto, are considered to be forms of Sect Shinto.
Folk Shinto (民俗神道, minzoku-shintō) includes the numerous but fragmented folk beliefs in deities and spirits. Practices include divination, spirit possession, and shamanic healing. Some of their practices come from Taoism, Buddhism, or Confucianism, but most come from ancient local traditions.
State Shinto (国家神道, kokka-shintō) was the result of the Meiji Restoration and the downfall of the shogunate. The Meiji restoration attempted to purify Shinto by abolishing many Buddhist and Confucian ideals; also, the Emperor was once again considered divine. After Japan's defeat in World War II, State Shinto was abolished and the Emperor was forced to renounce his divine right.
The 13 Sects are:

• Fusokyô (1882)
• Izumo Oyashirokyô (1882)
• Jikkokyô (1882)
• Konkokyô (1900)
• Kurozumikyô (1876)
• Misogikyô (1894)
• Ontakekyô, formerly known as Mitakekyô (1882)
• Shinrikyô (1894)
• Shinshukyô (1882)
• Shinto Shusei-ha (1876)
• Shinto Taikyô, known before World War II simply as Shinto (1886)
• Taiseikyô (1882)
• Tenrikyô (1908)

Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi is the Absolute Universal Self.
Shinto Ethics

Purity is one of the fundamental virtues of Shinto ethics. There are two significations of purity. One is outer purity or bodily purity and the other inner purity or purity of heart. If a man is endowed with true inner purity of heart, he will surely attain God-realisation or communion with the Divine. Sincerity is also the guiding ethical principle of Shinto.

Ten Precepts Of Shinto

i) Do not transgress the will of the gods.
ii) Do not forget your obligations to ancestors.
iii) Do not offend by violating the decrees of the State.
iv) Do not forget the profound goodness of the, gods, through which calamity and misfortunes are averted and sickness is healed.
v) Do not forget that the world is one great family.
vi) Do not forget the limitations of your own person.
vii) Do not become angry even though others become angry.
viii) Do not be sluggish in your work.
ix) Do not bring blame to the teaching.
x) Do not be carried away by foreign teachings.(the one I don't feel truly applise to me because I live in the U.S. and the are so many different type of teachings here)

A good site to check out: eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/

In conclusion, though I don't believe I am any of the four original types of Shinto, I have learned that there are deep down more then just those four. I follow more of a personal Shinto in the end.

[Mustard Seed]

Great post, thank you for sharing that with us. When I was younger I was very much interested in Asian religions and its culture. More specifically Japan as well....though you can't forget about China because that is where Japan can trace its roots back to.

I have personally found the right path for myself and as you pointed out, I do believe that there are a lot of truths to be found in Asian religions. Thank you again for sharing and I look forward to reading more of your posts.

darnell

[FFH]

Originally Posted by Amaterasu

A Kami is a God, or more a Divine being, or Spirit. Everything in this world has a Kami, you, me, the rode out side, your dog or cat.....etc.

This is also consistent with LDS scripture.

I lived in Japan for almost two years and never really studied the Shinto religion much more beyond what you have stated here. Thanks for sharing...

[Hema]

Hindu teachings also say "Vasudaiva Katumbakum" - The whole world is one family. We also believe that all creatures and by extension, the entire manifest creation, has this Spirit of Divinity pervading. There is no place where this Divinity is not. We are also big on paying tribute to ancestors.

I'm not Japanese nor am I Shinto but I see no reason why you can't follow the religion. The spirit is not Japanese, nor is it American etc. The Spirit is the same in everyone.

[ayani]

Originally Posted by Son_of_Amaterasu

Ten Precepts Of Shinto

i) Do not transgress the will of the gods.
ii) Do not forget your obligations to ancestors.
iii) Do not offend by violating the decrees of the State.
iv) Do not forget the profound goodness of the, gods, through which calamity and misfortunes are averted and sickness is healed.
v) Do not forget that the world is one great family.
vi) Do not forget the limitations of your own person.
vii) Do not become angry even though others become angry.
viii) Do not be sluggish in your work.
ix) Do not bring blame to the teaching.
x) Do not be carried away by foreign teachings.

that is great! i had not before read any kind of list of precepts or tenants for Shinto. thank you!

[Azakel]

Thank you all for the replies. Though as of late I feel a bit confused. Though there are parts of Shinto I believe in a do not fully believe I am Shinto. This all was seems to happen when every I got to know and say I am a religion. I posted this here because it is what I was talking about with what I believe. Thank you every one here for being nice, I will still be here but I will need to define myself more. Though if you look at my sig. you can all get an idea of what I still know for sure I believe. Click the Version 1.5.1.

[Hema]

Originally Posted by Son_of_Amaterasu

Thank you all for the replies. Though as of late I feel a bit confused. Though there are parts of Shinto I believe in a do not fully believe I am Shinto. This all was seems to happen when every I got to know and say I am a religion. I posted this here because it is what I was talking about with what I believe. Thank you every one here for being nice, I will still be here but I will need to define myself more. Though if you look at my sig. you can all get an idea of what I still know for sure I believe. Click the Version 1.5.1.

Just remember that the Spirit does not belong to any religion. If you are confused, you can draw from different religious beliefs if you want. There are lots of people on RF like that. Or perhaps you can just be a spiritual person without adhering to any one particular religion.

[ayani]

SoA- interesting. have you looked into Wicca at all? there are definately some similarities to Shinto practice, and no one says you have to draw away from Amaterasu for any reason, if you still feel close to her.

[Azakel]

Originally Posted by gracie

SoA- interesting. have you looked into Wicca at all? there are definately some similarities to Shinto practice, and no one says you have to draw away from Amaterasu for any reason, if you still feel close to her.

Thank you both. And yes I have looked into Wicca, I don't believe it fits me like some other believes out there.