Explore Kyoto
Religions in JAPAN

This is my point of view . These might not be correct.

About polytheism.....May be in your mind.....
Only one single religion and multi gods.....alike Hindu religion.

but

We have been feeling our Japan polytheism is multi religions and multi gods .

We have been feeling always with " Kami"s (Shintou Gods) and "Hotoke"s(Buddihms).
We always live together with another religions in harmony and respect each of them .
Religions of Japan never attack another religions.

川上忠志の個人的見解による日本語の日本の宗教についてはこちら

JAPAN SHINTOU

The SHINTOU is the polytheism and folk religion of JAPAN .

Shrine means the SHINTOU Shrine.

Shrine has TORII GATE but Budhism temples never have TORII GATE .

There are alot of kinf of SHINTOU Shrines.

At biginning ,,, SHINTOU does not have any shrine house or building .
About 6 centuries Budhism arrived this Japan Island
They had housies and buildings which were called temples.
SHINTOU had some housies and buildings from them,

There never be any cult image. Very pure .

The SHINTOU is very much related natures , creations and generations .
So that when people had new baby then go to SHINTOU shrine for new baby ritual.
When people build new house or building then call SHINTOU priest for ritual.

Before entering Shrine, You better wash your hand and rince in your mouth brcause
you have to be purified yourself.
(This is almost same manner as other polythiem alike ancient Greek religions or ancient Europian religions.)

There are more than 8 millions "KAMI"s .
( mistranslated as GOD in English word . We called " KAMI")


I know GOD is very unique being in Monotheism .
But We Japanese are mainly Polytheism .
We have been told that there are more than 800 millions "KAMI"s .

So that We feel that GOD is one of 800 millions "KAMI"s .

You better not take any animals into the Shirines . "KAMI" might get angry .
You better avoid curse .

SHINTOU never tell anything to people . We people only pray for "KAMI"s .
There are alot of rituals for "KAMI"s.

SHINTOU never has any cult image.
There never be any cult image inside the SHINTOU house or building.
"KAMI"s are always invisible .

Our "TEN NOU" (you called as "emperor" in English languege) is the top priest of Japan SHINTOU.
Our "TEN NOU" has been always praying to "KAMI"s for our good living and good health .

JAPAN BUDHISM　　　

Buddhism was founded in 5 centuries BC at the Nothern part of INDIA near by Pakstan by SHAKA who is human.

These 3 pictures has named "Bussokuseki" which means "Foot print of Buddha" .

When SHAKA died then he left a message that is "Do not make any cult image of me " .
So that People could not make his image or statue but then people had imaged
SHAKA is just standing where at his foot print was.

Arrived JAPAN island in 6 centuries AD.
There are alredy multi millions of Buddha cult image statues .

About 1 century BC then people could not realize what Buddha was .

People had been told that the Buddha was so shinning as gold .
So people made golden Buddha statue as picture shown above .

It took 1100 years to arrive this JAPAN island via Himalaya Mountains, Tibet, China and Korean Peninsula. It had taken tooooooooooooooo long .

Translated and edited more than twice.

There are mainly two kind of Buddhism.
One is the SHAKA Buddhism which is the almost original founded 5 century BC.
Another one is AMIDA Buddhism which is found about 1 century AC .
SHAKA did not know anything about AMIDA Buddhism.

SHAKA Buddhism is how to get the enlightenment .
AMIDA Buddhism is how to help the people.

Buddhism in Japan is mainly AMIDA Buddhism

There are a lot of modifications from the original.
Some sects of Buddhism monks can marry , can have child , can have asset .

There are mainly 13 sects of Buddhism in JAPAN which means
there are 13 schools of Buddhism. (Shuu means sect)
There are many sects in one Shuu.

They are talking in some different ways for people but
they are mainly talking to help people.
Monks had to learn 6 sects at the beginning of Buddhism.

They are talking somethings about Buddhism heaven.
So that people in Japan normally use Buddhism when it is funeral .

The most easy way to go the Buddhism heaven.
Just say "NAMU AMI DABUTSU " just before death .

You can go to the Buddhism heaven and can get the enlightenment at there
( you have to be trained in the Buddhism heaven under AMIDA Nyorai)

At the 6 centuries, Government of JAPAN had used Buddhism to govern this country .
Many ancient religions merged into the Buddhism . Very much mixed .

ZEN is the newest Buddhism in JAPAN . ZEN had arrived about 12 centuries AD.
There are 3 sects in ZEN type religions.

You have seen some Buddhism temples and Buddhism statures
but those might be very ancient another religions .

For example the Nestorianism

The Nestorianism called "KEI KYOU" in Japanese language.

The Nestorianism had been in China and temple named shown below.
arrived this country Japan .

There is a temple named "Kouryuu Ji" temple which has been located west side of Kyoto
where place is named "UZUMASA". 　

There is a museum in the "Kouryuu Ji" temple which feel very much alike the Mesopotamia .

Also there is one sect of Buddhism which is named "SHIN GON SHUU" was told as
"Nestorianism in Buddhism style". "SHIN GON SHUU" was very much effected by Nestorianism .
If you like to see some evidences then you have to go to Mt.KOUYA in WAKAYAMA Pref...

About BUDHISM Temples dialogues:　　　

Pronounce "JI" or "TERA" sometimes "DERA"　is the Buddhism temple
but there is a some difference between "JI" or "TERA" .

Called "JI" temple was founded by government budget.
Example: Ryou An Ji , Kin Kaku Ji , Tou dai Ji ,

Called "TERA" sometimes "DERA "was founded by people donations.　
Example Kiyo Mizu Dera , Mi Bu Dera .
　

Some Temples have the formal name and nickname .　　　　

Golden Pavilion or Golden Temple is a nickname . Formal name is the " ROKU ON JI "

Silver Pavilion or Silver Temple is a nickname . Formal name is the " JI SHOU JI "

Admission Fee　　　　

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　Our JAPAN Government normally never pay any money to temples and Shrines.

So they have to make living by them self .

KANNON Religion

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KANNON only works in present time.

Very much related with the SHIBA of INDIA.

KANNON change 33 different styles .
So there are 33 windows at "San Jyu San Gen Dou"(33 windows house) .

KANNON is always helping people in present time .

KANNON does not talk about Buddhism Heaven.

This is my point of view.
KANNON had arrived very much earlier than Buddhism .
KANNON Religion might be used via sea line .

About Religion for Japanese People　　　　

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(1) At the first,   In the ancient time , People had afraid great nature and curse.
       People try to avoid dangerous nature and curse then Japan SHNTOU had begun.　

(2)   At the second,   Kannon had arrived via sea line .

(3)   At the third,   Buddhism had arrived via land line .

   We are now almost Japan polytheism ( Not alike a Hindu polytheism at India)

SHUGENDOU Religion ( " YAMA BUSHI " ) 　　　　　　

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SHUGENDOU is also very much original folk religion of Japan .
Very much mixed with ancient SHINTOU , ancient Mountain religions , Buddhism and others .
Monks of SHUGENDOU normary excised and trained in the high altitude mountain area .

TEN NOU ( called as EMPERROR in English language )　　　

TEN NOU means the king of king .

TEN NOU does not have any stake between the TEN NOU and people .　

　

TEN NOU is untouchable being.
TEN NOU is very spiritual being.
TEN NOU is the top priest of SHINTOU.
TEN NOU has been spending very much time for SHINTOU ritual .
TEN NOU does not have last name .
TEN NOU is now 125th generations.

It is now 2017 in western calender.
It is now 2676 in our TEN NOU calender .
A combat airplane which was named "Zero fighter" was registered at 2600 in our TEN NOU calender.

We Japanese people call " TEN NOU " in Japanese language as called in English language as EMPEROR .

We Japanese never called "TEN NOU" as " KOU TEI ".
"TEN NOU" is TEN NOU . "KOU TEI "is emperor .
Napoleon was called Emperor Napoleon.