Shinto: Love of Nature, Love of Country, Purity, and Fertility - Essay Example

Shin love of nature, love of country, purity, and fertility Religion is an important aspect of any society since ancient times. Each cultural group practiced different forms of religions, thus believed in existence of gods. Shinto is an ancient and native religion found in Japan with a literal meaning of “the way of the gods” (Breen & Teeuwen 211). The religion existed since 500 BCE. Originally, it entailed an amorphous blend of nature worship, shamanism, divination techniques, fertility cults, as well as hero worship. This religion is a type of animism that emphasizes on the significance of harmony existing between man and nature. Consequently, followers of Shinto worship kami; which mean god, spiritual presences, or nature spirits. In addition, the name Shinto originated from Chinese words “shin tao” meaning the way of life of the Kami people within the 8 century (Breen & Teeuwen 217). Thus, Shinto established itself as an official Japanese language together with Buddhism. It is different from other existing religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. This occurs since Shinto does not have a real founder, written scriptures, religious doctrines, or laws. Consequently, it has a loosely organized priesthood unlike other religions. Shinto has four themes or affirmations that play a crucial role in its existence, practice, as well as teachings. Apart from expecting one to lead a simple as well as harmonious life with people and nature, Shinto lacks commandments or doctrines for its followers. The four affirmations or themes include great reverence and love for nature, love for country, purity, and fertility. Each of the themes constitutes major pillars of Shinto and should be observed by everyone practicing the religion. Love of nature The Shinto believes in sacredness of nature, and thus a person in contact with natural objects is close to the gods. This religion observed and acknowledged the existence of nature, and therefore the need to respect and love it. Some of the natural features revered by Shinto include the moon, conspicuous and oddly shaped rocks, rivers, lakes, swamps, waterfalls among others (Breen & Teeuwen 234). Therefore, Shinto recognized the need of protecting and conserving nature and its components. The reverence and love for nature among Shinto followers occurs since they worship nature and believe that it posses sacred spirits. I do agree with Shinto in advocating for love of nature since it is an important gift to man. Therefore, no one has control over nature as it entails everything not established or introduced by man. Nature is also significant because it supports all living things. Consequently, no one has control over nature as man found it and will leave it at the time of death. Shinto’s perception on nature and natural features is significant since it ensures protection and conservation of natural features and the ecosystem from overexploitation and unsustainable use of nature’s resources (Hartz 56). This is because unsustainable use of the natural resources can lead to their degradation and thereafter depletion. When resources are depleted, the entire ecosystem is compromised and can lead to misery and even death of living creatures, thus making life unbearable. Therefore, by revering and considering nature as sacred, Shinto has significantly reduced chances of unsustainable exploitation of natural resources thereby, curbing degradation and depletion of the resources. This ensures conservation of the gifts of nature as no one will encroach the sacred places with intention of disturbing or exploiting the resources. Therefore, Shinto is an important religion as it ensures that nature is safe from unsustainable human exploitation. This leads to wise use of the resources and thereby preventing resource or nature depletion, which can lead to misery and death among human beings and other living things on earth. Physical cleanliness Cleanliness is an important aspect of human beings compared to other creatures. Man has to maintain cleanliness of the body as well as of the environment. Various researches have asserted the need to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene. This is since cleanliness improves one’s living standard as well as health. Consequently, a clean person is not frequently attacked by disease causing pathogens that mostly occur due to exposure to dirt. Therefore, people exposed to dirt often fall sick compared to individuals who maintain personal hygiene. Consequently, followers of Shinto believe in the need for purity or body cleanliness. It expects them to maintain cleanliness by taking baths, washing hands as well as frequent rinsing of the mouth (Breen & Teeuwen 256. I do agree with Shintoism’s notion on cleanliness since it advocates for cleanliness among the followers. This ensures that that the followers do not suffer from diseases associated with dirt. By washing body, hands, as well as mouth, a person limits chances of contacting disease-causing pathogens thereby, ensuring that he leads a healthy and safe life. Just like in Shinto, I do believe in cleanliness of the body, surrounding and all apparatus and tools used by man. Consequently, I do advocate for cleanliness of all livings things with special emphasis on domestic animals. This is because cleanliness keeps off diseases, and thus reduces healthcare expenses associated with dirt. In addition, for an individual to lead a comfortable, disease free life, he needs to maintain and advocate for cleanliness. Fertility Fertility encompasses the ability of an individual to produce offspring. It forms an important aspect of living things since it ensures perpetuity. A fertile person will therefore leave an offspring thereby continuing his family lineage. An infertile person cannot leave an offspring thereby leading to demise or extinction of genes. Consequently, Shinto acknowledges the importance of fertility, tradition as well as the family among its followers. This is because through fertility, a person gets a family and thereafter develops traditions. Shinto believes in the need for one to get married since it forms part of the human life cycle (Breen & Teeuwen 275). Through marriage, a man and woman gets an opportunity to produce their own offspring thereby, ensuring preservation of traditions. Thus, Shintoism celebrates marriage because it leads to production of offsprings thereby, enabling continuity of a generation and preservation of traditions. Moreover, fertility is important since it enables a couple produce young ones. After completion of the marriage celebrations, Shinto expects followers to prove fertility by bearing children. It is good for a couple to posses children they have sired together since it leads to completion of life cycle. Consequently, it makes human beings get satisfied with life since one feels complete. A couple with no children feels incomplete since it lacks an important aspect of marriage and life. To reduce or curb such suffering, Shinto advocates for marriage and checks on fertility since it is the only way that traditions can be passed to children and other future generations (Hartz 96). By celebrating both marriage and birth, Shintoism acknowledges the need for fertility among the followers and encourages them to maintain it. Love for country Every human being has a place of origin and seems proud about the place thereby, appreciating and loving one’s roots or background. One’s country forms his place of origin that should be acknowledged (Hartz 106) It is good for one to remain proud about his roots since it gives a sense of belonging. Shintoism advocates for love of one’s country as it creates a sense of belonging as well as esteem. Individuals who are ashamed of their background often lack appreciation and thereby love for the nation. Shintoism expects followers to love their respective countries since it is beneficial to them. First, love for one’s country is good since it contributes to self-identification and understanding. A person who loves his country will always identify with it thereby feel part of a family. Consequently, it makes one develop a sense of belonging. A person who loves his country always feels welcomed and loved by fellow citizen thereby, boosting morale. Conversely, a person who does not love his country always speaks evil about it. In most instances, the person remains pessimistic about his country. By being pessimist, he loses the meaning of life thereby, making him lead an uncomfortable life. Therefore, I agree with Shinto that followers and the entire humanity should display and practice love for country since it proves more beneficial. Further, one leads an optimistic life whereby he is not bothered or feels guilty about his country. A person who loves his country also develops a sense of belonging, which is an important aspect of life. Furthermore, love for one’s country is good since it makes one become patriotic. This makes him respect his country and thus feels proud of everything within its borders. In conclusion, Shinto as a religion advocates for good practices and teachings for its followers. This is evidenced through the affirmations and themes it advances to the followers. These include love for country, love of nature, fertility and the need for pureness. I think that when a person practices these teachings, he will reduce misery experienced on earth, thereby making life more comfortable and enjoyable. Further, one needs to focus on the manner he leads his life in order to ensure it is beneficial to him and others, thus minimizing stress and other problems in life. Works Cited Breen, John, & Teeuwen, Mark. A New History of Shinto. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. Print. Hartz, Paula. Shinto. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2009. Print. Read More