Shintoism, an ancient religion of Japan, sees spiritual powers in everything in the natural world. The term “Shinto” means “the way of the gods.” Spirits called "kami" live in everthing natural and not man-made: Animals, plants, stones, mountains, rivers, people and the dead—our ancestors.
Shinto shrines and are usually in peaceful, natural settings. The Inner Hall of the shrine is only accessible to Shinto priests (both male and female) because kami are present. It is important to be clean when anyone enters the shrine out of respect for the kami. Therefore, Shinto followers rinse their mouths and wash their hands. They also and hang wooden tablets with prayers on them before entering the prayer hall. Then they summon the kami with a bell and offer rice or money. Finally, they bow twice, clap twice to welcome the kami, then bow again.
Shintoists have altars in their homes and at the job—often for the purpose of paying respects to their ancestors. They place rice and tea shelflike altar called a "godshelf." This is where people say prayers to and for ancestors, who have become kami by virtue of crossing over from life to death.
According to Shinto, a human spirit is believed to remain kami forever. They live in the “otherworld.” There are many different otherworlds but the most well known otherworld is ‘Takamano-hara’ (the otherworld of Heaven). All of the otherworlds, however, do not resemble the heaven and hell of Christianity. They are depicted as being not at all different from this world.
There is a deep faith in Shintoism that the spirit of the dead can visit this world if people perform rituals to revere that spirit. Divine spirits visit this world when people show their reverence at festivals. These festivals ensure that kami and ancestral spirits will protect their descendants as long as the descendants continue to hold festivals and show their devotion.
Shinto shrines and are usually in peaceful, natural settings. The Inner Hall of the shrine is only accessible to Shinto priests (both male and female) because kami are present. It is important to be clean when anyone enters the shrine out of respect for the kami. Therefore, Shinto followers rinse their mouths and wash their hands. They also and hang wooden tablets with prayers on them before entering the prayer hall. Then they summon the kami with a bell and offer rice or money. Finally, they bow twice, clap twice to welcome the kami, then bow again.
Shintoists have altars in their homes and at the job—often for the purpose of paying respects to their ancestors. They place rice and tea shelflike altar called a "godshelf." This is where people say prayers to and for ancestors, who have become kami by virtue of crossing over from life to death.
According to Shinto, a human spirit is believed to remain kami forever. They live in the “otherworld.” There are many different otherworlds but the most well known otherworld is ‘Takamano-hara’ (the otherworld of Heaven). All of the otherworlds, however, do not resemble the heaven and hell of Christianity. They are depicted as being not at all different from this world.
There is a deep faith in Shintoism that the spirit of the dead can visit this world if people perform rituals to revere that spirit. Divine spirits visit this world when people show their reverence at festivals. These festivals ensure that kami and ancestral spirits will protect their descendants as long as the descendants continue to hold festivals and show their devotion.
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