This document provides an introduction to world religions, comparing and contrasting aspects of Shintoism and Buddhism. It begins with objectives and vocabulary for exploring religious beliefs. Early forms of religion included animism and shamanism. Modern religions developed concepts of gods and the first had customs and practices centered around understanding gods. Many early civilizations had religion integrated with government. The document then compares Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan, and Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, focusing on their origins and histories, beliefs about gods and the human situation, practices, afterlives, and important texts.

8. Shinto

13. Buddhism

19. Japan Shinto Buddhism Origins & History Indigenous religion of Japan. Founded by Siddharta Gautama (the Buddha) in c. 520 BC, NE India. God(s) and Universe Polytheism based on the kami , ancient gods or spirits. Varies: Theravada atheistic; Mahayana more polytheistic. Buddha taught nothing is permanent. Human Situation & Life’s Purpose Humans are pure by nature and can keep away evil through purification rituals and attain good things by calling on the kami . Purpose is to avoid suffering and gain enlightenment and release from cycle of rebirth, or at least attain a better rebirth by gaining merit. Afterlife Death is bad and impure. Some humans become kami after death. Reincarnation (understood differently than in Hinduism, with no surviving soul) until gain enlightenment. Practices Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals. Meditation, mantras, devotion to deities (in some sects) Texts Important texts are Kojiki or ‘Records of Ancient Matters’ and Nihon-gi or ‘Chronicles of Japan’. Tripitaka (Pali Canon); Mahayana sutras like the Lotus Sutra; others.