The paper of Shinto in the Japan culture

In this essay intends to perform an analysis of the importance of Shinto in Japan, with the main objective point out the benefits which were developed during this period of Japanese history. Note that in Japan the importance of Buddhism and Shinto, are relevant because of the historical, cultural and religious define the Japanese state.

It is very important to know the meaning of the word religion, because it has many interpretations from the actions of individuals, some authors says that religion was created because of the various beliefs and actions of human beings, such as believe in beyond or in the various monotheistic or polytheistic deities. However, according to Cicerone, word religion comes from "religare or religious" being an act of worship with rules strictly linked (Hispanoteca, 2013). That is, we can handle the word of religion as a divine where it includes faith and hope in a creed, as applied in Shinto spiritual practices.

Shinto was developed in Japan, as a belief system that worships natural deities, being that the essence of Shinto is devotion that comes from Japanese kami spirits, of which performs various rites (BBC, 2013). Since then, that the meaning of Shinto comes from the Chinese characters for the word "Shen" meaning "divine" and "Tao" which means the way, understanding Shinto as the way of the spirits (Swick, 2012) .

The Shinto rites and festivals are characterized by veneration towards their ancestors, they focus on worshiping the deities of heaven and earth, to be of great importance and respect for Japanese culture. Allowing the main objective for the Japanese, is to have the value orientation and the different attitudes to unify Japanese society.

It is worth mentioning, the meaning was in the sixth century, it was necessary to differentiate the indigenous rites of Buddhism. However, the rise of religion or  this term, was in the nineteenth century, during the Meiji restoration, taking the name of Shukyo, such term is attributed to the influence of Christians that subsequently add to Buddhism (Terrades:5). Shinto had to make the meaning of religion over time, due to the lack of legitimacy of the Japanese government, which is why the importance in the definition of Shinto is very important to the Japanese, as it is an action that goes beyond ordinal of religion, as it focuses on the true meaning of prayer and veneration of their ancestors, and which has evolved according to the needs of the population.

The principles that characterize Shinto is based on the appreciation of happiness, for which they try to help each other to have benefits in the negotiations, production, health, among other things, to perform well and be a functional society. What we can understand of Shinto that is not a true expression of religion but is a Japanese lifestyle.

For the Japanese doing good means do good deeds for the welfare of society, they does not believe that by giving good examples go to heaven, this kind of thinking comes from the belief that people are born Shinto and die being Buddhist. Therefore, is very important that it is critical that the kami, the spirits of nature are conceived as sacred beings, their main objective is to protect (Yusa: 18).

Likewise, it should be mentioned that in Japan the practice of religion is not forbidden, which is why it is possible to practice Shinto in a public way through the temples, and in private reflecting in binding families. Therefore, the importance that the Japanese give their various festivals, also called Matsuri, the thinking done thanking the kami and offering their respect and obedience to the welfare of their society (Yusa: 20).

Finally, Shinto is a practice of devotion is of paramount importance to the Japanese, as it is a way of life for a balance of goodness, justice and values, representing a united society and with the strength of serve its faithful and Japanese community residents. Since then, that Shinto can be expressed freely, generating motivation for his faithful and hope to live in a society capable of limiting negative actions that may harm society. The importance that Shinto had in the creation and sustenance of the Japanese state was shown solidarity and devotion to the deities, which are shaped by nature, without prejudice or value concerns in denying cultural identity. In particular, Shinto is an important agent in Japanese society, due to taken as a lifestyle and not a requirement to personally profess the religion, is an example of the freedom to worship.

The Shinto is very important to maintain an equilibrium in the society, because can be considerate which as a thing essential to make a stable life of the individuals. Since then, is considerate which as a lifestyle in the diverse socials circumstance, that can be harm the equilibrium. To the Japanese society, is very important to maintain the balance of the body with the spirit, the practice of Shinto which as religion is the base to the devotions of the individuals, that the likewise is promulgate which a lifestyle and of teaching, the difference negative actions are counterproductive to can live very happy.   

References

              BBC, 2011. “Shinto at a glance”. Source:       http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/ataglance/glance.shtml

   Dennis, S. (2012). “Shintoísmo”. Source: http://www.institutointerglobal.org/religion/2405-shintoismo

   Justo, F. (2013). Etimología de la palabra religio. Hispanoteca, Source: http://hispanoteca.eu/Foro-preguntas/ARCHIVO-Foro/Religión-religare-relegere.htm

   Michiko, Y. (2002). “Jamanese Religions”. Laurence King Publishing Ltd, 2002.

   Minerva, T. (2012). “Género y deconstrucción del Shintoísmo”. Universidd Autónoma de Barcelona.

Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 31/2: 389-415. Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture.

   Hardacre, H. (2004): "Religion and Civil Society in Contemporary Japan",