| The word Shintoism is said to have originated from | | | | believes that individuals are rewarded or punished |
| the words "Shin" meaning spirit and "to" which means | | | | according to the deeds of their past life. But on the |
| a philosophical path. Shintoism is popularly believed to | | | | other hand Shintoism stresses on finding happiness |
| be a Japanese religion. | | | | and satisfaction in one's present life only. |
| However according to another school of thought, | | | | The religion is broadly divided into two classes. The |
| "Shinto" means "The Way Of The Gods". And, | | | | Sectarian Shinto, which is again categorized into |
| Shintoism is the path that leads toward attainment of | | | | thirteen sects and the State Shinto religion. |
| universal self. | | | | Like most religions, Shintoism believes in figurative |
| It is believed that when a man's life comes to an | | | | representations of different principals. Mirrors, sword, |
| end, he becomes a Kami. Kami is regarded as a | | | | and jewels are commons symbols of virtues like |
| supernatural being who is equivalent to God. That is | | | | bravery, intelligence and benevolence. The Shinto |
| the time when he attains the universal self and | | | | shrine is represented by three big commas, known as |
| becomes equal to God. | | | | "Mistu-tomo-e". |
| But it would be wrong to assume that Shintoism | | | | However the religion came to an abrupt end after |
| believes in worshiping spirits. It believes in existence | | | | the World War II. Most of the customs and practices |
| of God within all living creatures which become | | | | of the religion has become extinct. But surprisingly, |
| manifested after death and equalizes to the supreme | | | | Shintoism has left an indelible impression in the |
| God. The dead spirits are better known as Kamis. It | | | | Japanese culture. It is a common Japanese practice |
| is a belief that there is a Kami residing within all living | | | | to sprinkle grains of salt before commencement of a |
| and non living beings and again there are supreme | | | | wrestling match. This is done with the intention of |
| Kamis residing over all the Kamis. It is said that the | | | | purifying the wrestling arena. Such practices and |
| world consists of about eight million Kamis. This belief | | | | traditions are inspired from Shintoism. |
| is popularly expressed by the expression "Yaoyorozu | | | | Again, Ikebana, which is a Japanese tradition of |
| no Kami". The most popularly worshiped of all Kamis | | | | flower arrangement, is inspired from Shintoism that |
| happens to be the Sun Goddess "Amterasu". | | | | recognizes the importance of the harmony of nature. |
| However the privilege of becoming a Kami is available | | | | The religion does not believe in killing of other living |
| to only those who abide by the ritual practices and | | | | beings for satisfaction of hunger and preaches to |
| customs in their life. And those who fail to do so | | | | keep such practices to the minimum. Perhaps it is the |
| would be degraded into the status of "Urami" | | | | reason why some Japanese people still utter the |
| meaning a grudge or a devil spirit. It believes, that | | | | word "itidakimashu" which is an expression for |
| there exists two forms of Universe. One is visible | | | | offering thankfulness to the preparer of the food |
| (Ken Kai) and the other is invisible (Yu Kai). And these | | | | and also to those animals who lost their lives to |
| two Universes are controlled by three deities. | | | | provide him the meal. |
| The above theology very much corresponds to Hindu | | | | Throughout ages we have seen that religion of a |
| belief. | | | | country has always leaves an important impact in its |
| However, it is reasonably argued that Shintoism has | | | | culture and Shintoism is no exception. It is not the |
| been inspired from religions like Buddhism and | | | | belief in a religion but an observance of its preachings |
| Confucianism. The migration of a section of Chinese | | | | that serves the purpose of it. One can not deny that |
| and Japanese in the interiors of Japan happens to be | | | | Shintoism is the background behind Japanese culture. |
| the reason of this. | | | | In today's world, Shintoism exists only in the pages |
| But a significant distinction between Shintoism and | | | | of history but its impact in the lives of common |
| Buddhism lies in their perception about rebirth. | | | | Japanese people is still the impetus behind the |
| Buddhism lays emphasis on the cycles of rebirth. It | | | | progress of the nation an its citizens. |