The Religions Book

82

RITUAL

LINKS US

TO OUR PAST

LIVING THE WAY OF THE GODS

S

hinto is the indigenous,

traditional religion of Japan.

Some say that it is not so

much a religion as a Japanese way

of life, because it is so intrinsically

linked to the topography of the land

and its history and traditions. Its

origins can be traced to prehistoric

times in Japan, when animist

beliefs, with their respect for nature

and natural phenomena, prevailed.

As the universal belief system

of an isolated island nation, Shinto

had no need to define itself until

it was challenged by the arrival of

a rival religion, Buddhism, in the

6th century CE. The traditional

Japanese beliefs lacked complex

intellectual doctrines, allowing

IN CONTEXT

KEY MOVEMENT

Shinto

WHEN AND WHERE

8th century, Japan

BEFORE

From prehistory In Japan,

animist belief in nature spirits

blends with ancestor worship;

the emperors claim to be

descendants of the gods.

2nd millennium BCE In

ancient China, just rulers

are thought to be invested

with divine authority.

6th century CE Buddhism

reaches Japan and begins

to attract followers.

AFTER

19th century Shinto becomes

the Japanese state religion.

1946 The Japanese emperor

renounces his divine lineage.

Shinto is disestablished, but

continues to be practiced.