Shinto, any answers?

[steamboatsam]

Hey, I was wondering if there is anyone who follows the shinto faith who wouldn't mind asking a few questions I had about it?

[Ronin4hire]

Originally Posted by steamboatsam

Hey, I was wondering if there is anyone who follows the shinto faith who wouldn't mind asking a few questions I had about it?

Its not a faith.

Its just a tradition of visiting shrines based on the traditional belief in temporal spirits that inhabit everything.

It was only ever a faith during from the Meiji restoration up untill the end of WW2 when the Japanese government was trying to create a state religion in its efforts to nationalise the population.

[steamboatsam]

I'm not asking weather if it is considered a faith, religion, or just a set of traditional rituals. I'm only asking if there is someone who practices it who wouldn't mind if they answer a questions I have about it. Like why do they do this in a ritual, or why do they do that instead of this? things like that; you can only learn so much through books and internet.

[Ronin4hire]

Originally Posted by steamboatsam

I'm not asking weather if it is considered a faith, religion, or just a set of traditional rituals. I'm only asking if there is someone who practices it who wouldn't mind if they answer a questions I have about it. Like why do they do this in a ritual, or why do they do that instead of this? things like that; you can only learn so much through books and internet.

Everybody in Japan "practices" it. Very few people hold an actual belief in it.

What specifically do you want to know about it? Im no expert but I took a class on Japanese religion history IN Japan.

[steamboatsam]

I might have quite a lot questions actually, but here are the first three
1. Are there any books or scriptures that, if not considered sacred, at least considered important to shinto?

2. What is the specific idea of kami. Are they just gods, does it represent something in particular, etc.?

3. Is the purification ritual for cars and buildings true, and if so, what is the purpose?

[Ronin4hire]

Originally Posted by steamboatsam

I might have quite a lot questions actually, but here are the first three
1. Are there any books or scriptures that, if not considered sacred, at least considered important to shinto?

2. What is the specific idea of kami. Are they just gods, does it represent something in particular, etc.?

3. Is the purification ritual for cars and buildings true, and if so, what is the purpose?

1- Nihonshoki and Kojiki are the first books ever published in Japanese and are tales of the Creation of the Earth, the Emporers divinity and the divinity of Japan.

2- I will have to get back to you on that.

3- Yeah its true for buildings.. didnt know about the car thing. Its just to placate the spirits of the area.

[steamboatsam]

Next three
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?

2. Is there a reason why there is a ritual for infants who are expected to be born within a few months?

3. Reffering to the purification of cars and buildings, how or why does the creation of the car or building anger the/a kami?

[Ronin4hire]

Originally Posted by steamboatsam

Next three
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?

2. Is there a reason why there is a ritual for infants who are expected to be born within a few months?

3. Reffering to the purification of cars and buildings, how or why does the creation of the car or building anger the/a kami?

Oh... tough questions

My class was a bit too general for that sort of depth. It was on Japanese religious history and didnt go into that much detail regarding practice and belief except where relevant.

Sorry I was busy in another thread so apologies if you were waiting for my answer.

[steamboatsam]

Sorry to hear that, oh well lol. Thanks for answering what you could. No need to apologize, I know how it goes. Last question.

Do you happen to know anyone who would know about these questions?

[Nyororin]

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".

Originally Posted by steamboatsam

Next three
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?

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.

2. Is there a reason why there is a ritual for infants who are expected to be born within a few months?

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.

3. Reffering to the purification of cars and buildings, how or why does the creation of the car or building anger the/a kami?

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.