IndexTopic AnalysisConclusionBibliographyA person's religious views and how they are raised in the religion can greatly influence their moral compass, values, and overall outlook on life. With over 4,200 religions out there. It is difficult for humans as a society to respectfully understand each other's beliefs. One of the most misunderstood religions is known as Shinto which is The Way of Kami (Hirai). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Topic Analysis Shinto is a religion based primarily in Japan. With over 119 million people following his faith today. People who follow Shinto focus primarily on following the spirits known as Kami. These spirits are close to humans and are said to even respond when prayed to. The shapes of these Kami Earth range from different portions of landscapes such as rivers and mountains, to atmospheric conditions such as winds and rain, and even animals and plants. These Kami spirits are in practically everything that is alive. Shinto followers believe that when Kami are treated with respect, kindness, and prayer, they change the course of a person's situation and way of life. Either stop bad luck and pain or even bring good health and better opportunities. This is a brief explanation of why people follow Kami's ideology. A brief history of Shinto is that the religion itself is seen as a fairly ancient religion even though most of its popularity is due to Buddhism. Shinto began as a primitive religion focused on nature, which it still does, but it had far fewer moral ideals. A more focused development began between 400 BC and 300 BC in the Yayoi period of Japan. At the time, Japan supported itself primarily by growing rice and producing additional bronze and metal materials and weapons (Hardacre 18). The Japanese people began to develop these small sites and shrines near waterfalls and rivers. To let Kami in. Around 450 AD the Japanese began building small objects next to anything of value. Mainly it is rice plantations in the hope that good weather will help the crops grow. Along with new homes in the hope of good fertility and health. This little ritual-based idea continued until around 700 AD. Eventually, Buddhism began to grow in popularity in Japan, and Shinto believers began to pick up some of the major Buddhist ideals. Not having up to now a real official founder of the religion. Followers of the religion did not mind changing its goals as the story progressed. Some of the beliefs added were about how funerals would be and how we as people should control our lust and hatred. As mentioned before, Shinto has a more unique philosophical basis. They believe in many different spirits. With Shinto having over eight million Kami spirits. All Kami have different practices that show them respect. However, if treated with disrespect or greedy intentions, these Kami can act in rebellion against humans. The two main Kami in Shinto are Amaterasu and Susanoo. Amaterasu is the Kami of the Sun, a kind-hearted and good-humoured Kami (Reader, Ian-Tanabe, George Joji and Tanabe, George J). He is always fighting with his younger brother Susanoo, who is the Kami of Storms. The two are featured in many famous myths. The most famous myth of Amaterasu and Susanoo dates back to 712 AD Where Susanoo told his sister that he was called to go to Heaven; even if the father wasalways angry at him for causing damage all over Japan. His sister was skeptical and didn't believe he was telling the truth about his goodbyes. He takes Susanoo to bet on who could create gods from objects, and if he added up five gods he would be telling the truth. Amaterasu managed to bring three women from Susanoo's Totsuka-no-Tsurugi (Sword of the Length of Ten Fists), while she gave birth to five men from her beloved necklace. Have Susanooclaiming to be the winner. Even though Susanoo won the bet, he began to fill with anger, and with that anger he destroyed his sister's rice fields and participants. Out of fear and anger, Amaterasu hid in Ama-no-Iwato (heavenly rock cave) causing darkness throughout Japan. Eventually, she was convinced to leave the cave and Susanoo was uprooted from Heaven and sent to Hell. Where he continued to fight an eight-headed serpent, until he was killed and known and gave Amaterasu the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Grassscutter Sword), as a way of forgiveness (Hardacre 52). This story is cited so often even nowadays in Japan. Not only to be used in multiple different anime and shows, but to show that one should not act out of anger and jealousy. Which became a great ideal in Shinto, and even more so when combined with Buddhism. Some of the main practices for being good in the eyes of the Kami, including Amaterasu and Susanoo, are going to a Jinja. "Where one or more Kami are kept." Which is basically a Japanese shrine for specific or many variations of Kami. With over 100,000 Jinja recognized in Japan. Some of the largest are Ise Grand, Izumo Taisha and Meiji Shrine. Shinto, unlike Christianity and Judaism, does not have weekly meetings at its shrines. Usually, people come when they want and the meetings, if they take place, are on the 1st and 15th of the month. What is mainly done when going to a Jinja is that when approaching the building the person will approach the symbol known as the Torii (perch), and one must show respect to the Torii and the symbol of whatever Kami the Jinja is. Since the Torii represent, you are crossing the normal land and entering the holy land. Once someone passes the Torii, he should be grateful for the blessings of Kami and his ancestors. It can pray or meditate silently, but mostly people just need to be at peace with themselves and appreciate where they are in life by doing the Kami. However, Shinto is not limited to that one ideal, but continues into many different branches. One of the most important values ​​and concepts that must be followed in the practice of Shinto is that one is constantly impure. Guiding every person should always be an attempt to purify us. Both physically in the Shrines with holy water, and through prayer in Kamis. A person should not dwell on resentment or hatred. Letting it go helps purify the soul. Since, once a person dies, Shinto followers believe that we become Kami. If you were constantly filled with anger, jealousy and hatred, your soul after leaving your body would transform into a spiteful and evil Kami. Always seeking revenge on the living for eternity in the land of Yomi, a place similarly described as the Greek Hades. Which is a place that separates the real world and Yomi across a river (Littleton 88). He is never allowed to visit the real world again unlike Kami who is free to travel to Heaven and the real world as he wishes. While even good Kami with pure souls are constantly celebrated and given gifts at the shrines where they can dwell. Most Shinto holidays are used to celebrate and give admiration to the Kamis. One such festival is Daijōsai Matsuri known as the Festival of, 1997.