Many foreign visitors think Japanese religions are too difficult to understand. They are confused by the way that Shinto and Buddhism are so well harmonized in the Japanese way of life. They seem to have a lot of questions about Japanese religions. The following are some of the more common questions:

★Can you tell me the history of Japanese religions?

There are two religions in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism. Shinto is the native religion characterized by the worship of myriad deified natural spirits. It originated from everyday life of the Japanese people in prehistoric times and has long played an important role in Japanese society. Unlike the world’s major religions, Shinto has no fixed dogma, moral rules or sacred scriptures. Perhaps for this reason, most Japanese quite easily incorporate Shinto into their way of life together with Buddhism.

Buddhism originated in India and traveled through China and Korea to Japan in the
mid-6^th century. At first there was some dispute among ruling families over whether to accept Buddhist teachings. But it was Prince Shotoku that accepted and adopted Buddhism along with other aspects of Chinese culture. He established several major monasteries such as Horyuji, near Nara. As the state religion, Buddhism dominated Shinto, the indigenous religion, for over a millennium. Buddhism was practiced mostly by the ruling classes until in the Heian period (794-1185). In the Heian period Tendai and Shingon sects appeared, then, Jodo, Jodoshinshu, Nichiren and Zen sects, etc. in the Kamakura period (1185-1336), when Buddhism became more widespread. In the Edo Period (1603-1868), when the parishioner system was adopted by the Tokugawa Shogunate, temples were controlled and Buddhism emphasized ancestor worship including funerals and memorial services. 

  During the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the emperor was restored to the head of the government and Shinto was established as the state religion. The emperor was considered the divine descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami. She was believed to have presented Imperial Regalia to her grandson, who in turn passed them on to his descendants, the emperors, the first of whom was Emperor Jimmu. This direct lineage from the gods was reflected in a feeling of Japanese superiority, which in turn fed the military expansion of the Japanese Empire. Shinto was considered to be the official belief of the entire Japanese race and was embodied in the huge number of shrines, large and small, throughout the country.

  After World War �U, the Allied Occupation separated Shinto and the state and this break was written into the new constitution. The emperor also issued a statement renouncing all claims to divinity and the use of Shrine for nationalistic purposes was forbidden.

★Well, what about a cabinet minister's continued visits to the Shrine?　
　 Visits by cabinet ministers to Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrine the war-dead, are always protested as being provocative by Japan’s Asian wartime foes. The problem is whether the minister’s visit is a private or not. He can visit the Shrine privately.

★I’m very confused to hear that the birth and wedding ceremonies of most Japanese are Shinto, while funeral ceremonies are Buddhist. Do Japanese have a religion ?
Japanese people are tolerant of all religious sects, because Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, has no fixed dogma or sacred scriptures, but has a lot of deities. This doesn’t mean that many Japanese are totally indifferent to any religion. In the troubled days of youth, they show their interests in the philosophy of life, and as they become busier with their work and with supporting their families, they move away from religion. But in old age, they once again come back to religion. Japanese attitudes to religion don’t include a monotheistic god such as the God of Christianity. Japanese people are not dogmatic but they sense that everything is transient from events and natural phenomena around them. Their love is directed not only to human beings but also to the whole universe. Japanese people often say, “You can’t say what will happen tomorrow. Let’s lead a full life now. To live well means to die well.”

★How can I distinguish temples and shrines?

   If you find a gate that consists of two pillars joined by two crossbeams, you are at a shrine. That gate is called “torii”, and marks the entrance to a sacred area. In front of the “torii”, there is usually a pair of guardian dogs called “komainu”. On the other hand, if you find a pagoda, you are in the precinct of a temple. A pagoda was originally built to enshrine the holy relics of Buddha
On the other hand, if you find a pagoda, you are in the precinct of a temple. A pagoda was originally built to enshrine the holy relics of Buddha.

★I can see a stone statue, sometimes lined up in their dozens, at the edge of the town or village or crossroads. What are they and why are some of them draped with red bibs or baby hats?
They are statues of “Jizo Bosatsu”, who is believed to be a guardian deity of children, pregnant women and travelers, and they often appear in folktales as someone who brings good fortune to those who are honest and kind. The red bibs and baby hats are offerings from the women who have lost their children, either before or after birth, to console the souls of their children.

★In Shikoku I saw a lot of pilgrims wearing the white clothing. Why are they wearing the white clothing? Are they all making a pilgrimage for religious reasons?
　
The white clothing worn by the pilgrims represents purity and innocence. However, in the past it also held the meaning of a death shroud, symbolizing that the pilgrims were ready to die at any time. Some pilgrims receive temple stamps on their extra vest. The vest becomes a family treasure and is later put on the deceased before cremation. The motives for making pilgrimage are varied. For example, some go for religious reasons, some to pray for healing, and safety at home, or some in memory of those who have passed away.  As well, some come just to get away from regular life, some for recreation, or some to spend time alone in reflection and to find oneself.

★Some temples enshrine Shinto deity personified as a Buddhist statue. Why? Moreover, the Buddhist Statue is different according to the temple. Is there any hierarchy among Buddhist Statues?
 In the course of incorporating Shinto into Buddhism, various different deities emerged. At the end of the 9th century, Hachiman Deity, for example, was personified as figures of enlightened Buddhist priests. These are called Sogyo Hachiman. However, the most common name of Buddha, meaning “an enlightened one” and holding the highest position of all statues, is Nyorai. The greatest Nyorai is different according to the teachings of the Buddhist sects, but there is no hierarchy. The roles of Nyorai are different.

・Shaka Nyorai
　This represents Shakamuni who at the end of training achieved enlightenment and became a Nyorai. With encompassing power, this being can save all humankind. This Nyorai is conceived to be the greatest within Zen teachings.

・Amida Nyorai
　 This Buddha lives forever and the light it gives forth shines all 　people throughout the world. Those who believe in Amida Nyorai and chant a prayer to this Buddha will be able to go to the Land of Paradise. Within the teachings of Jyodo and Jyodoshinshu sects, this figure is believed to be the greatest.

・Yakushi Nyorai
　This figure is considered to be a Buddha of healing to whom people pray for cures from sicknesses. This being holds a medicine jar in its left hand.

・Dainichi Nyorai
　This Buddha has a crown on its head and other accessories and is said to be a model of young Shakamuni. Within the teachings of Shingon sect, this figure is considered to be the greatest Nyorai.