RELG 402 - World's Living Religions
Module 13 - Japanese Religions
Module Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to :
- Identify the people and main events associated with Japanese Religions.
- Discuss the literature associated with Japanese Religions.
- Describe the teachings and ethical standards of Japanese Religions.
- Describe the world-view associated with Japanese Religions.
- Describe the varieties of worship associated with Japanese Religions.
Readings
- Textbook, chapter 9, Shinto
Note - the Textbook states that the goddess Amaterasu was lured out of her cave by the lewd dance of the goddess Uzume. The more common account says that it was by means of a mirror that she was tricked into emerging - this is the way Amaterasu is usually portrayed, and it also explains why her mirror is one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan. - Notes on Shinto
- Notes on Zen Buddhism
- Notes of Buddhism in Japan
- Notes on Christianity in Japan
Optional InterNet Resources
- Go here for Links to optional extra resources for this week.
- Useful articles can be found by using Search Engines such as GoodSearch
- Remember - always cite your sources
Study Questions
Before taking the Test, prepare an answer sheet for yourself by answering the following questions. Then you may use it, along with the textbook and the course notes, to answer the questions on the Test and to formulate a thread for the Discussion Board.
You will need to use the course notes to answer some of the questions fully.
- What three religions have coexisted in Japan since the 6th century AD, and what observation describes the eclectic attitude of the Japanese?
- Discuss the meanings of the word kami. What are some of their characteristics? (see the course notes)
- How does the Japanese Creation Myth describe the creation of the islands of Japan? (see the course notes)
- How does the Japanese Creation Myth describe the birth of Amaterasu and her strife with Susanoo? (see the course notes)
- What are the Three Imperial Jewels (Regalia) of Japan? (see the course notes)
- What major themes of Shinto can be identified in the Kojiki story given in the textbook?
- According to the textbook, what is conspicuously absent from early Shinto (before the introduction of Confucianism and Buddhism to Japan)? what other differences do you notice between Shinto and Abrahamic religions?
- What was the aim of the National Learning movement? and what was the aim of State Shinto?
- How does Watanabe Minoru describe his training to become a Shinto priest, and what does it mean to him to be a Shinto priest?
- According to the textbook, when were Confucianism and Buddhism formally introduced into Japan, and how did they impact religious thought at that time?
- How did State Shinto influence Japan's international affairs during the 20th century?
- According to the textbook, what are some of the common characteristics of members of Sect Shinto?
- According to the textbook, what do the teachings of members of Sect Shinto generally stress?
- Describe the role of the miko in modern Shinto.
- Describe the four steps of harae. What is the purpose of harae?. What sorts of occasions may call for harae?
- Describe the approach to a Shinto shrine (the torii, komainu and the purification ritual) (see the course notes and the textbook)
- Describe the buildings in a Shinto shrine, and how a worshipper prays at the shrine. (see the course notes and the textbook)
- What is the importance of the Ise Shrine, how is it purified, and what is reported to be kept there? (see the course notes and the textbook)
- When did Christianity first enter Japan, and what happened afterwards? Who were the Nagasaki Martyrs? What happened in 1873 and what were the consequences for Christianity? Who were the Kakure Kirishitans, and why and how did they diverge from Roman Catholicism? (see the course notes)
- What religious role is played by the Emperor of Japan?
For some of your answers you may have to go beyond the textbook
Prepare a set of answers for yourself, then use it to help you answer the Test and post your Thread to the Discussion Board
Discussion Board 13
Thread :
If you are a Japanese Christian, describe what it is like to live as a Christian in Japan.
If you are Japanese, but do not identify yourself as a Christian, discuss what you would like non-Japanese to know about religion in Japan.
If you are not Japanese, or if you are not comfortable identifying yourself either as Japanese or non-Japanese, discuss the differences between Shinto and the Abrahamic religions.
Replies to 2 of your classmates' threads :
If possible, choose threads which deal with different topics.
Do you have any particular insights and/or experiences which might be helpful to the poster or to your classmates as a whole?
Test 13
Go to the Test Section of the course, and take the test at least once before 12 noon of the Monday following the Module.
You will have 1 hour to complete the test.
You may take the test three times before the cut-off time.
Questions will vary each time you take the test.
Your highest score will count towards your course grade.
Remember to cite your sources if you use any other than the textbook
Copyright © 1999 Shirley J. Rollinson, all Rights Reserved
