Confucianism and Shinto - Case Study Example

I. Introduction 1.1 Religion and purpose Religion is a set of beliefs and practices that are handed down from one generation to another. Each of the religions present today has their own lineage and history. The purpose of any religion is to hold people together under a common umbrella and it works as a support for the people. Religion encompasses traditions and customs and serves to guide the people. It helps to bind the people together and even though the term ‘religion’ gives rise to different emotions in different people at different times, when human being are confronted with problems, they seek the support of religion (Walsh, 2001). Religion guides people in shaping their lives and steering forward in the right manner. In other words, religion provides a foundation from which to derive one’s ethics (Onlyagame, 2007). These help an individual to purify the self and strive to attain God-realization. 1.2 The ethical systems associated with religions Most religions contain an ethical code and are usually centered on a noble soul or saint. The ethical principles provide a set of rules and guidelines which help people in conducting their lives. The ethical system also provides guidelines for conducting business in different religions like Islam and Confucianism. 1.3 Shinto and Confucianism The eternal purpose of every faith, every religion in the world is the same. Shinto (Japan) and Confucianism (China) are two eastern religions which move towards the same goal. Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, is one of the world’s oldest religions. It claims no specific founder and follows no scriptures. It started even before 500 BCE and was originally an amorphous mix of nature worship, fertility cults, divination techniques, hero worship, and shamanism (OCRT, 1995). It derived its name from the Chinese words “shin tao” which means ‘the way of the Gods’. Confucianism is an ethical system, a way of life to promote social harmony and to guide the governing class to fulfill their duty towards the society. It is not a religion and is based on the teachings of Confucius which have now become the foundation of the Asian cultures (Zukeran, 1995). Many teachings claim the unity of Shinto and Confucianism and an interaction between the kami (Shinto) and Buddha. The paper would discuss the origins and how the influence came about including the current situation. It appears that both the religions follow different paths, have different concepts but are fused at many places. They are interrelated and the paper would highlight the similarities, the differences and the reasons thereof. 2. Confucianism 2.1 An ethical system Confucianism is an ethical system with belief in rituals and social order. It is based on the belief that man is the centre of this mundane world and is basically good but needs training. In fact, man’s nature is naturally good just as water naturally flows downwards (Zukeran, 1995). He believed that if a man is virtuous others will be naturally attracted to him (Lorenz, n.d.). If man is by nature good, why is it difficult to attain the goodness – this doubt lurked in Confucius which prompted him to lay down certain codes of conduct. Confucius further believed that man is a social creature has to be bound to others by jen which means humanity or human kindness (Answers.com, 2008). If there is improper conduct of human relations, it would throw man out of harmony with the universe. 2.2 Authority-based ethical system Even though Confucianism has a founder in Confucius, it is generally believed that this system of ethics does not depend upon the specific authority of Confucius (Guptara, 1998). People offer him a ritual respect and are not really concerned who he was. They follow the Confucius system of ethics because it is traditional. Confucius laid down certain rules which are followed till date. These include: li (respect for people in authority, whether a god, king or parent) hsiao (family love, though "family" includes distant relatives and even friends) yi (mutual commitment among friends, and friendship is taken seriously in the East) jen (literally "all the good things that happen when people meet," or expressing kindness) chung (loyalty to the state) chun-tzu (outgoing, generous, liberal). The authority based ethical system implies that since the government is for the people, the rulers should live in the highest principles. People would then follow them and there would be reform in the society. The authority based ethical system has been subject to criticism. People in authority misuse the power and there is no system to check this. The system did work well earlier but in modern times, the underlying value of Confucius’ principles has been ignored. Today the world is no more based on notions of fairness, justice and humanity but on money, power and pleasure. 2.3 Five different relationships and their basis transmission of ethical system Humanity can be expressed through five different relationships in a person’s life - sovereign and subject, parent and child, elder and younger brother, husband and wife, and friend and friend. Duties differ depending upon the different status one holds in relation to another. The central idea behind these five relationships is universal. If these are practiced sincerely, harmony will prevail in the universe. Of these different relationships, filial piety is the most important. Good family relationships can reform a society and thereby the government of any nation. Relations can be made to function smoothly by following certain etiquettes and rituals. Rituals are ceremonial behavior, which should be codified and treated as an all-embracing system of norms. Formal rituals should be adhered to in every aspect of life including quasi-religious ceremonies. 2.4 Emphasis on education Confucius believed that a good society can be achieved through education. The natural goodness of man can be developed through training, education, self-reflection, and discipline (Zukeran, 1995). A man’s character can be developed by the study of the six arts - ceremony, music, archery, charioteering, writing, and mathematics. 3. Shintoism 3.1 Shinto – synthesis of many religions and tradition Shinto or Kaminomichi or the way of the Kami or the Gods is the name of the religion observed by the Japanese from time immemorial (Sivananda, 2005). Shinto literally means ‘the way of the Gods’ and is not an ism and is merely a teaching. It has no set concepts or theories but it is all-pervading. It is a classical indigenous religion, animist and shamanistic to which some elements that were missing such as handling death and Confucian ethics were added. It has no ceremonial and administrative procedures, religious laws, or any chronicles of ruling families and temple construction. There were no images of Gods until the introduction of Buddhism and efforts have been made to synthesize it with Confucian ethics (Farlex, 2004). While Shinto has no ethical codes, it is a real spiritual force that pervades the lives of the Japanese. It does not have any grand philosophy or complicated rituals but it is the formative principle of life (Sivananda, 2005). The principles are based on Japanese culture, code of ethics, fine arts, family and national structure. Purity is one of the virtues of Shinto ethics and they believe that one who has inner purity will certainly attain God-realization. The Shinto philosophy encourages people to be one with the nature. This requires people to live in harmony with the nature. Thus nature is perceived as a living organism. There was the natural awe and respect for ‘kami’ which is unusual and superior. The commonly known kami are water, rain, wind, sun, storm and vagaries of the weather (Sood, n.d.). The religion has unique concepts of birth and death – birth is the mystical appearance and death is the disappearance into the invisible world. 3.2 Authority-imposed as a state rule by Emperor Meiji The Meji Restoration in 1968 brought about a major change in the religious environment in Japan. Shinto was completely separated from Buddhism and brought under state administration. Amaterasu became the main deity and Emperor was made the high priest of Shinto (BBC, 2004). The Emperor thus had the divine right to rule the whole world. The Emperor became the icon for everything and Japanese political, social, military and religious institutions all centered on the Emperor. He became the spirit and the very essence of Japan, an icon of everything good, pure and holy. Freedom of religion was promised but not granted (BBC, 2004a). It became the official state religion and the shrines were supported by the state for a brief period. Shinto served to bind the people of Japan together with a powerful mix of devotion to kami, ancestor-worship and group loyalty to family and nation. The political interference was soon removed as pollution was realized along with the fact that the purpose of the religion was to bring about inner purity in the people. 3.3 “Kami” or the “Way of the Gods” Shinto recognizes the existence of various ‘Kami’ or nature deities. The first two deities, Izanagi and Izanami, gave birth to the Japanese islands and their children became the deities of the various Japanese clans. Amaterasu Omikami, the ruler of Takama no Hara, was Sun Goddess ancestress of the Imperial Family and is regarded as the chief deity (Omshakthi, 2008). Others included the moon god Tsukiyomi no Mikoto; and Susanoo (Susanowo) no Mikoto, the ruler of the nether regions (Crystallinks, n.d.). They believe that all human life is sacred and there are four affirmations – 1. Family is the mechanism through which traditions are preserved. 2. Nature is sacred and natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits. 3. Physical cleanliness is very important. 4. They observe the festival “matsuri” which honors the spirits. 4. Comparison of the two systems and their faiths Shinto was the authentic original religion of Japan, which was named and formalized as a response to the Buddhist threat of loss of power and position. Over time it incorporated some ideas from other religions. In other words, Shinto is a formal religion, an amalgamation of several religions whereas Confucianism is an ethical system. Shinto has no formal scriptures or founder whereas Confucianism is totally based on the principles of Confucius. Both have been influenced by Buddhism to some extent but have managed to retain their own identity and concepts. Shinto at least for sometime had political interference and the power was misused. It was imposed as a state religion but Confucianism was never imposed. It was and is accepted as the traditional system in the society which is followed without questions. It has been followed uninterrupted since the beginning while Shinto had phases of political influence. Shinto follows worship of the deities and purification of the inner self. Worship of the nature and natural objects is the focus of this religion. Confucianism-has a role model with set doctrines. It is not a religion as it does not impose worship of any deity or propagate any mystical insights. Confucianism believes that education can evoke the natural goodness in man; Shinto insists on inner purification. Thus Confucianism conveys that man is capable of doing all that is necessary for his development by evoking the virtues from within. Shinto believes that the inner virtue and purification lead one to unite with the God. Both however, emphasize to look within one’s self. Both religions are authoritarian. Confucianism believes that a person in authority can be a role model for the society and bring about transformation in the people but it overlooks the fact that powers can be misused. Shinto was imposed as a state rule and used political force and Confucianism too was imposed upon the society. Both religions have the influence of Buddhism. Both share ancestor worship. Confucianism believes that the spirit of the deceased ancestor controls the fortunes of the descendants. In both the systems family is important – in Shinto to carry forward the traditions and in Confucianism filial piety. Both emphasize on harmony – Shinto insists on harmony with nature while Confucianism emphasizes to live in harmony with the society. Thus both the religions move towards the same goal – inner purification which is the very purpose of every religion. 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