01 Belief systems and their influence on culture
What is religion?
Monotheism vs Polytheism
What is Cultural Identity?
- What is culture? Think about what culture means and write down a definition of it.
- Have a look at the images on this PowerPoint. What country might you associate with these pictures? Why?
- Where do our ideas about different countries come from?
- What are stereotypes?
- What problems do stereotypes pose?
|
|
Shintoism: Japan's Native Religion
Unlike other religions, Shintoism lacks a universally accepted religious text or spiritual authority. The ancient Japanese believed they were created by the gods. Amaterasu was a sun goddess. She sent her grandson, Ninigi, to earth to rule over men. The first emperor, Jimmu, was a descendent of Ninigi and Amaterasu. He was the first (mythical) emperor of Japan in a line of 125 emperors. This is unique as a world religion as its ties together Japanese identity and history. One of its central myths describes the Shinto gods creating the country and alleges that the Emperor is a direct descendant of these same deities. Although the Emperor was forced to renounce his divine status after World War II, Shintoism's effect on the nation of Japan remains undeniable, with the Emperor participating in Shinto ceremonies and followers praying for the preservation of the nation at Shinto shrines.
In Shinto purity and cleanliness is very important. People must wash their hands and mouths before praying in a shrine. Walking under the torii gates was part of the purification process. Sincerity and tranquility are also very important. People must have respect for nature and their behaviour must be respectful. Why is nature so important? The ancients believed that everything in nature had a spirit. Rocks, mountains, rivers, and even food – everything had a spirit, or ‘kami’. Even the islands of Japan are considered ‘kami’. In fact, counted, there are about 8,000,000 gods. It was believed that a person can affect nature if you properly respect it. Humans become impure by interacting with others, and purify themselves by worshipping. Shinto also represents loyalty. The individual person is not as important that the whole of society, so people must be loyal to society.
What is appealing about Shinto? It’s a religion that helps people deal with common, everyday problems. Shintoists can also practice other religions. You don’t have to give up other religions. You can be Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim, or anything, and a Shintoist at the same time! People pray at Shinto shrines, which have torii gates at the entrance, are lined with lanterns and have lion-like stone guards called komainu. Did you know that even mountains, waterfalls and rivers, too, can represent a shrine? Also, Shinto doesn’t have images or statues. Deities (gods) are represented by a bronze mirror, sometimes a sword, or a jewel that represents a gift given to Ninigi by Amaterasu.
Why are there other religions in Japan? In 605 Prince Shotoku declared Buddhism and Confucianism state religions of Japan and began building temples. He had Horuji (a Buddhist temple in the Asuka Valley) built. Christianity came when Europeans wanted to trade and spread Christianity.
In Shinto purity and cleanliness is very important. People must wash their hands and mouths before praying in a shrine. Walking under the torii gates was part of the purification process. Sincerity and tranquility are also very important. People must have respect for nature and their behaviour must be respectful. Why is nature so important? The ancients believed that everything in nature had a spirit. Rocks, mountains, rivers, and even food – everything had a spirit, or ‘kami’. Even the islands of Japan are considered ‘kami’. In fact, counted, there are about 8,000,000 gods. It was believed that a person can affect nature if you properly respect it. Humans become impure by interacting with others, and purify themselves by worshipping. Shinto also represents loyalty. The individual person is not as important that the whole of society, so people must be loyal to society.
What is appealing about Shinto? It’s a religion that helps people deal with common, everyday problems. Shintoists can also practice other religions. You don’t have to give up other religions. You can be Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim, or anything, and a Shintoist at the same time! People pray at Shinto shrines, which have torii gates at the entrance, are lined with lanterns and have lion-like stone guards called komainu. Did you know that even mountains, waterfalls and rivers, too, can represent a shrine? Also, Shinto doesn’t have images or statues. Deities (gods) are represented by a bronze mirror, sometimes a sword, or a jewel that represents a gift given to Ninigi by Amaterasu.
Why are there other religions in Japan? In 605 Prince Shotoku declared Buddhism and Confucianism state religions of Japan and began building temples. He had Horuji (a Buddhist temple in the Asuka Valley) built. Christianity came when Europeans wanted to trade and spread Christianity.
Comparing Belief Systems: Confucianism vs. Buddhism
Buddhism
What do you remember about Buddhism? Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and that something called karma will determine what you become when you are reborn. Karma is the responsibility for your actions in life. This means that if your karma was bad you may be reincarnated as a worm or a stinky pig. If your karma was good you may be a princess or a king! How did Buddhists come to believe this? Buddhism was actually started in India, by an Indian prince who was saddened by the suffering in the world. His name was Prince Siddhartha Gautama and he lived from 533 BCE to 483 BCE. He left his rich life (and his wife and baby!) to become a monk and find the answers to human suffering. When meditating one day he finally understood. He first explained where suffering comes from. He said, (i) life is full of pain and suffering; (ii) suffering is caused by people’s greed; (iii) suffering can end if people stop being greedy; and (iv) people must follow the 8-fold path to end greediness. The eightfold path says: know the truth; resist evil; don’t say things to hurt others; respect life; property and morality; don’t hurt others, don’t think evil thoughts; control your feelings and thoughts; and meditate. If you learned to control your desires, you would be ‘enlightened’ and reach ‘nirvana’. Buddhism came to Japan in the 500’s and slowly became very popular and many temples and statues were built.
Confucianism
Who is the wisest person you know? Who do you think is the wisest person everybody knows? In ancient China a man named Kong Fu Zi became very famous. In fact, he still is. We know him as Confucius. Confucius became very wise from studying. He travelled around China teaching his ideas to anyone who would listen to him. His ideas were based on morals and responsibilities. These ideas, really, were codes of social behaviour. These ‘rules’ were very strict. He believed that everybody had a place in social life. It went like this: nobles over commoners; family over strangers; elders over young; men over women; parents over children; and ancestors over the living. Ancestor worship and rituals were very important to Confucius. Overall, to keep peace Confucius believed that a ruler must be moral and take care of their people. If the ruler did not do this people would not obey. According to early Japanese writings, it was introduced to Japan via Korea in the year 285 AD. Some of the most important Confucian principles are humanity, loyalty, morality and consideration on an individual and political level.
During the Edo Period (1603-1867), Neo-Confucianism was the most important philosophy in the Tokugawa government and education. It had a prevalent impact on Japanese society at the time, and its influences can still be felt today.
What do you remember about Buddhism? Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and that something called karma will determine what you become when you are reborn. Karma is the responsibility for your actions in life. This means that if your karma was bad you may be reincarnated as a worm or a stinky pig. If your karma was good you may be a princess or a king! How did Buddhists come to believe this? Buddhism was actually started in India, by an Indian prince who was saddened by the suffering in the world. His name was Prince Siddhartha Gautama and he lived from 533 BCE to 483 BCE. He left his rich life (and his wife and baby!) to become a monk and find the answers to human suffering. When meditating one day he finally understood. He first explained where suffering comes from. He said, (i) life is full of pain and suffering; (ii) suffering is caused by people’s greed; (iii) suffering can end if people stop being greedy; and (iv) people must follow the 8-fold path to end greediness. The eightfold path says: know the truth; resist evil; don’t say things to hurt others; respect life; property and morality; don’t hurt others, don’t think evil thoughts; control your feelings and thoughts; and meditate. If you learned to control your desires, you would be ‘enlightened’ and reach ‘nirvana’. Buddhism came to Japan in the 500’s and slowly became very popular and many temples and statues were built.
Confucianism
Who is the wisest person you know? Who do you think is the wisest person everybody knows? In ancient China a man named Kong Fu Zi became very famous. In fact, he still is. We know him as Confucius. Confucius became very wise from studying. He travelled around China teaching his ideas to anyone who would listen to him. His ideas were based on morals and responsibilities. These ideas, really, were codes of social behaviour. These ‘rules’ were very strict. He believed that everybody had a place in social life. It went like this: nobles over commoners; family over strangers; elders over young; men over women; parents over children; and ancestors over the living. Ancestor worship and rituals were very important to Confucius. Overall, to keep peace Confucius believed that a ruler must be moral and take care of their people. If the ruler did not do this people would not obey. According to early Japanese writings, it was introduced to Japan via Korea in the year 285 AD. Some of the most important Confucian principles are humanity, loyalty, morality and consideration on an individual and political level.
During the Edo Period (1603-1867), Neo-Confucianism was the most important philosophy in the Tokugawa government and education. It had a prevalent impact on Japanese society at the time, and its influences can still be felt today.