Introduction: Discovering the Harmony of Shinto and Buddhism in Japan
This is a series of me sharing what I learned about Japanese culture in order to fulfill your curiosity in our tour. And I am Yuki the tour guide or a worrywart worried about how often he should water his Dorcena in his room. It's been a helpless time when I could not answer a question from my foreign friend: "How does Shinto and Buddhism coexist in Japan". From celebrating the New Year at a Shinto shrine to holding Buddhist funeral ceremonies, we embrace both religions in our daily lives. Whether you're planning a cultural tour or simply curious about Japan's spiritual landscape, I hope this learning will enrich your travel experience as well. For learning that there are more shrines and temples in Japan than convenience stores is one of hell of a learning for today ;)
Feel free to ask me anything about Japan in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts or answer your questions!
How Japanese Live with Shinto and Buddhism, From New Year to Funeral
Shinto and Buddhism play distinct yet complementary roles in Japanese life. Many people visit a Shinto shrine at the start of the year to pray for good fortune, my family included, while Buddhist temples are where funeral rites and ancestral worship take place. Weddings are often held at shrines, symbolizing purity and new beginnings, whereas funerals and memorial services follow Buddhist traditions, emphasizing impermanence and rebirth.
What Is Shinto and Buddhism in the First Place?
So we have been learning about Shinto and Buddhism but what are they? Well, Shinto is Japan's indigenous belief system, rooted in nature worship and the reverence of kami (God), while Buddhism, introduced from China and Korea, offers teachings on enlightenment and the cycle of rebirth. In short, Shinto worships the nature as God and Buddhism worships someone specific: Buddha. For a quick tip, you can see shrine offer raw vegetables to God and temples offer regular foods that human normally eats because to God is in the nature, so we offer natural foods to them.
The Reason Japanese Live with Both Religions: The Concept of Shinbutsu-Shugō (神仏習合)
The blending of Shinto and Buddhism, known as Shinbutsu-Shugō, began centuries ago when Buddhist teachings were integrated with indigenous Shinto practices. This policy is responsible for the coexistence of Shinto and Buddhism. Around 7th century, old Japanese government was debating whether they should accept Buddhism, the religion from the most powerful country back then: China. After the conflicts between the two ideas, the winner decided to accept the Buddhism in Japan. However, they still wanted to remain Shinto, which worships the emperor's family. Therefore, they started the policy: The blend of Shinto and Buddhism. Therefore, there was some funny incident that happened such as many temples feature a shrine within their grounds. And the history is about to have other twists such as Confucianism and Christianity. However, that is for another day.
Next Time: Introducing Several Types of Buddhism
Japan is home to multiple schools of Buddhism, each with its own philosophy and practices. In our next blog, we’ll explore the six major types of Buddhism followed in Japan, from Zen meditation to Pure Land devotion. Stay tuned for an insightful journey into Japan’s spiritual diversity.
Even if you’re just curious, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions. We will be sure to check them out and reply to you. Or you can book your e-bike tour today and embark on an adventure that combines culture, history, and outdoor fun👇
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