I can`t say I`ve taken classes about Japanese religion, but I`ve lived here for 10 years and do as much as everyone else when it comes to "practicing".
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Originally Posted by steamboatsam
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1. I read that shinto does not have the idea of sin, but it has purification rituals like Misogi. Why do they perform these rituals? Is is because they did something that the kami found displeasing?
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No, it`s because you got something unpleasant attached to you that would make you seem less appealing to the gods. Kind of like a spiritual bath - your sweat alone isn`t "evil", but strong BO isn`t going to please anyone around you. Having spiritual "dirt" on you isn`t going to get you extra favor. The cleaner you are, the more likely you are to get favor - so there are rituals to cleanse.
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2. Is there a reason why there is a ritual for infants who are expected to be born within a few months?
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I am going to assume you mean 戌の日? It`s to protect the baby and to have a safe birth. Birth itself can be pretty dangerous, so getting some kind of divine protection can help out there.
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3. Reffering to the purification of cars and buildings, how or why does the creation of the car or building anger the/a kami?
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I am going to go against what Ronin said on this one when it comes to buildings - It isn`t to placate the spirits. It`s to get their blessing for the building, and to get them to look over / protect the construction. Also, it is to clear the area of any bad entities that might attach themselves to the building to bring bad luck.
With a car, it`s to protect the car from accidents, keep everyone inside the car safe, and to get some divine "insurance" so to speak.