Shinto Beliefs, Cultural and Life Practices
Adherents of Shinto believe in the presence of kami
as guiding spirits. There are kami who are associated with particular families, regions and
areas of life. The principle of all kami is to protect and sustain life.
All humans are referred to as the children of kami, and are thus considered as part of the vitalized natural world.
In many ways, kami may be regarded as the creative life force in all things, and Shinto adherents
have a particular reverence for musubi the creative, energizing and harmonizing power of kami.
The first kami Takami-musubi-no Kami for instance
is the Most August Divinity-Producing kami a name that embodies the idea of the sacredness of
the life-producing principle.
Morality and Human Actions
Moral behavior and particularly sincerity (makoto) or acting with "a truthful heart" are
emphasized in Shinto. Such behavior is described as the way of the kami since the end
result is that it fosters harmony. Acting with a true heart means that followers are enjoined
to adhere to right practice, sensibility and attitude in everything they do.
Harmony and Collective Well-Being
Harmony between humans, as well as harmony between humans
and the natural world begin with sustaining connections between the generations, and between members of the
family. Veneration of ancestors, and respect between family members are therefore emphasized. Older people are
still honored each year on the Festival of the Elderly keiro no hi which
is celebrated on September 15. At the opposite side of the human spectrum, children likewise are honored
on Children's Day (kodomo no hi)
on May 3 every year. In addition children age three, five and seven are honored and blessed by the priest on
November 15 on the so-called "three-five-seven matsuri." May 5th used to be celebrated as "Boy's Day,"
(tango-no-seku) but is now celebrated as children's day. Little girls, however, have their own day of celebration on March 11th called ohina matsuri.
The Shinto practice of prayers for the prosperity of the state
and the family, together with the celebrations for all sectors of human society, are symbolic of the way the
concept of collective well-being transcends the personal and the public parts of life. The sense of collective well-being
is also seen in the Shinto practise of individuals skipping a meal once a month and donating the money from this meal to a
particular humanitarian cause.
Harmony with nature is also an important
part of Shinto worship:pilgrimages, viewing of scenery or certain flowers during their peak season, as well as
cultivating an appreciation in general for nature are all part of the veneration of kami.
Festivals, or matsuri are very much a part of Shinto commemorations of different aspects of life. Throughout the year in Japan,
there are both national and regional, for instance, is Hounen Matsuri in the Nagoya region of Japan which is essentially a fertility celebration.
Other less unusual festivals include setsubon which celebrates the spring equinox,hamamatsu or the kite flying festival,
and Mitsuke Hadaka festival commnly known as "naked day."
Purity
While other religions decry sin, Shinto
adherents are more concerned about contamination. Purity and cleanliness are therefore a key part of Shinto. Prior
to facing the kami at a shrine, for instance, adherents wash their hands and rinse out their mouths with water
provided at the entrance to the shrine. Rituals of purification led by Shinto priests are also
common and may be used in instances such as the dedication of a building. A jichinsai ceremony, for instance,
is one that is conducted by a Shinto priest and is meant to purify a site before a building is erected.There
is also a ceremony known as the muneage ceremony, or building frame work dedication
to the kami. In everyday life, the emphasis on purity is translated into scrupulous care over
personal cleanliness.
The Concept of Inner Purity
In Shinto practice, observances that support a concept of inner purity, or the purity of the heart,
form the corollary to the emphasis on physical purity. Ethical behavior and observance of prescribed rites and rituals are thus an important
part of the cultivation of inner purity. These practices are embodied in the Ten Precepts, and the Four Affirmations.
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