REL 402 - World's Living Religions
Week 13 - Japanese Traditions, Zen Buddhism, Shinto
Textbook Readings
- Chapter 7, pages 236-271
Notes
- Zen is a form of Buddhism which developed in Japan. It stresses Zazen (meditation) more than other forms of Buddhism.
- Shinto is the ancient native religion of Japan, established long before the introduction of writing to Japan in the fifth century A.D.
The origins of its beliefs and rituals are unknown. Shinto stresses belief in a great many spiritual beings and gods, known as kami, who are paid tribute at shrines and honored by festivals. It also teaches great reverence for ancestors.
Although there is no overall dogma, adherents of Shinto are taught to remember and celebrate the kami, support the societies of which the kami are patrons, remain pure and sincere, and enjoy life.
InterNet Links for this assignment
- Go here for Links for this week
- Useful articles can be found by using the Topics as search words in Goodsearch
- Remember - always cite your sources
This Week's Report : Twenty Questions
- Which are the two main religions in Japan. Which other two religions entered Japan at an early time
- What do the terms "Kami no Michi" and "Shen Dao" mean in English; to which religion do they refer
- When and how did literacy (reading and writing) enter Japan
- Which religion do most Japanese associate with "life events". What is one of these events
- Which religion do most Japanese associate with "death events". What is one of these events
- What social and economic conditions of Japanese culture have influenced the types of religion popular in Japan
- According to the textbook, in which Period and Era did Shintoism enter Japan; when was this, and where did Shinto probably come from
- According to the textbook, who is often described as the "founder of Japanese Buddhism". Write a paragraph about his life and accomplishments
- When and how did Christianity first enter Japan. What happened subsequently
- Which are the two great Shinto epics, and with what subjects do they deal
- Using your own words, re-tell the story of Izanagi and Izanami
- Which of Izanagi's offspring became the Shinto "supreme deity"; what happened subsequently
- How were the Emperors of Japan related to the Shinto gods and goddesses
- Describe the "Seven Lucky Gods" of Shintoism
- According to the textbook, who are the three most popular Buddhist divine beings, and what are their attributes
- According to the textbook, what are the two most important texts for Japanese Buddhism, and what does each of them teach
- According to the textbook, who were the two founders of Zen Buddhism, what sects did they establish, and what were the main characteristics of each of these sects
- What form of Buddhism did Honen (Genku) develop, and what are its main teachings
- What two forms of Buddhism did Nichiren develop, which is the main sect which has become important in modern times, and how do they differ from other branches of Japanese religion
- When, and by whom, was the Shinto sect of Tenrikyo founded, and what are its main teachings
Remember to cite your sources
Use MSWord or a text editor such as Notepad to prepare and save your work, then send it as an Attachment to, or pasted into, an email message to Dr. Rollinson at
rollinsondr@yahoo.com, rollinsondr@hellokitty.com, and rollinsondr@mail2world.com
Please use all 3 email addresses in case any of the mailboxes go down.
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