Transcript Shinto and Confucianism

Shinto and Confucianism
Shinto
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The early religion of Japan.
Means: Way of the Gods
Kami: Shinto’s divine spirits that live in nature.
Kami means: Superior
These spirits are believed to live in beautiful places, animals, and especially as a person’s
ancestors.
• Many Japanese believe some of the mountains and rivers in Japan are the home of these Kami,
and these places are sacred. Shintoism also stresses the virtue of cleanliness.
Prayer
Those who practice Shintoism offer prayers and perform rituals to honor and
please the kami, or spirits they feel are special.
The religion does not stress life after death.
Most Japanese households have a small altar where the family will offer prayers
for the spirits they hope will bless and protect them.
Shintoism followers can be found around the world but is few in number
compared to other religions.
Where do Shinto followers worship?
• Shinto places of worship are called shrines and are usually found in beautiful natural
settings. The shrine contains an Inner Hall which is only entered by Shinto priests
since it is believed kami are present. Shinto priests can be either male or female.
• Purity is important to Shinto followers and therefore they rinse their mouths and
wash their hands and hang up wooden tablets with prayers on them before entering
the prayer hall. Once inside, the kami is summoned with a bell and offered rice or
money. After which the worshiper bows twice and claps twice to welcome the kami
then bows again.
Shinto Shrines
• Shinto shrines are marked by a special archway called a torii. This archway is
believed to separate the sacred world of the shrine from the world outside.
There are about 80,000 shrines all over Japan. Each shrine has a yearly
festival in which people pay their respects to the kami and celebrate with
food and drink.
The Worship of Nature
• The Japanese create small, beautiful gardens, areas of quiet and reflection in
their crowed world.
Shrines
• 445. In which country was Shintoism founded?
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• 446. What are the kami that are so important in Shinto belief ?
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• 447. How do believers of Shinto practice their religion?
Confucianism
• Confucius was one of the most important scholars in Chinese history.
• He was born around 550 BC at a time when the government was having
trouble keeping order and warlords controlled much of the countryside.
• He believed that the key to peace and social order was for people to behave
with good character and virtue.
• Virtue is behaving fairly and with justice towards others.
Golden Rule of Behavior
• What you do not like when done unto yourself , do not unto others.
• He believed a good ruler was one who treated his people fairly and was kind
to them.
• Confucius was not a religious prophet or even a religious leader. He saw
himself as a teacher and Confucianism is thought of as a philosophy or
ethnical system based on good deeds and morality rather than a religion.
Confucius: Five Basic Relationships
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1. ruler and subject
2. father and son
3. husband and wife
4. older brother and younger brother
5. friend and friend
He believed if each relationship were based on kindness, there would be
peace and harmony in the country.
Confucius Influence
• Confucius was the most influential and respected philosopher in Chinese
history. His ideas were the single strongest influence on Chinese society from
around 100 BC till the early 20th century.
• The Chinese governments throughout this period had made his ideas their
official state philosophy. Confucian theories and philosophies were even
exported to neighboring countries and honored as wise and noble ideals.
Confucius and Chinese Society
• When the teachings of Confucius were spread across China, the people
accepted his teachings for their sound principles. The emperor himself was
so taken in by these teachings that they were made the official state
philosophy.
• Confucianism then affected everything in China; education, government,
public and private attitudes and, etiquette. Confucianism is not a religion, but
a philosophy and a guide to morality and good government.
Review Questions
• 448. In which country was Confucianism founded?
• 449. What did Confucius believe were the keys to social order and peace?
• 450. What is Confucius” Golden Rule?
• 451. How did Confucianism come to play an important role in Chinese
society?
• 452. Why is Confucianism considered a philosophy and not a religion?
Test: Monday
Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Shinto
Philosophy: Confucianism
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1. Questions 430-452
2. Brain Pop Religion Questions (1-10)
3. Explain the caste system of Hinduism
4. Why did Buddha leave his family?
5. What was Buddha’s belief about greed?
6. Why is Confucianism not a religion?
7. What two religions believe in reincarnation?
8. Explain the Hinduism and Buddhism belief of karma?
Brain Pop
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What is Religion?
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/culture/religion/
What is Ramadan?
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/culture/ramadan/
Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/famoushistoricalfigures/mahatma
gandhi/