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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:45:02 GMT -5
Shintoism Kami The Kami Way of the goddesses and gods, the indigenous faith of the Japanese people, Shintoism has neither a founder nor sacred scriptures like the Bible or the Sutras. As old as the people themselves, Shinto was deeply rooted in Japanese traditions which included Creation myths, folklore about the kami, as well as, the Kojiki and Nihongi sacred texts. Shintoism is an optimistic faith that believes all humans are intrinsically good and that all evil is caused by evil spirits. In Shinto everything is spiritual with no separation between the material and spiritual. The architecture of the shrines, Noh theatre, calligraphy, and the court dance music (Gagaku) are all important features of Shinto. Most of Shinto rituals focus on prayers (either at a home altar or at a shrine), purification, and offerings to keep away evil spirits. Since animals sometimes do mischievous or harmful things to people, Shinto rites are performed to console and placate the animal spirits. In the university medical facilities of some universities, Shinto rites are performed to console the spirits of animals killed during experiments. Talismans to ensure good health, safe travel, success in business endeavors, doing well in school examinations, trouble-free childbirth, and many other things are obtainable at Shinto Shrines. Before opening a factory or a nuclear power plant, Shinto Rites are also preformed to purify buildings to ensure that in the future everything will operate safely and function correctly. There is no written Shinto code of ethics and morals. In 285 A.C.E., the teachings of the esteemed Chinese philosopher Kong Fuzi (Confucius), who lived in China from 551-479 B.C.E., made their way from Korea to Japan. Over the centuries, the important principles of consideration, humanity, loyalty and morality (applicable to both individuals and countries) were instilled into Shintoism. Chu Hsi Confucianism also greatly influenced Japanese education, government, and society. During the sixth century, the complex theories of Mahayana or "Greater Vehicle" Buddhism were introduced into the Japanese culture via China and Korea. Even though the ruling nobles of Japan at that time welcomed Buddhism as the new state religion, the common people continued to prefer Shinto. After some early differences, the followers of Shinto and Buddhism were able to reach a complementary accord between their belief systems. Most Japanese municipalities have at least one Buddhist temple or monastery displaying sacred objects, while larger areas like Kyoto have several thousand of them. Buddhism temples in Japan typically have main halls, lecture halls for meetings, multi-storied pagodas, entrance gates to the temple grounds, temple bells, and cemeteries with ancestors' graves. Shinto became the state religion of Japan in the Meiji Period. At the time, Shinto Priests became state officials and Shinto shrines were funded by the government. The Japanese Creation myths were then used as a foundational impetus to liberate Shinto practices by detaching them from any connections they might have made with Buddhism. Following World War II, the religion of Shinto was once again separated from state support. Today over four million Japanese visit Shinto shrines to pray for good fortune; to keep away evil spirits before special events; and to procure talismans. Most weddings are performed as Shinto rituals. Since followers of Shinto view death as a cause of impurity, Buddhist rites are usually performed at funerals. The Shinto goddesses and gods continue to assist the people of Japan and the planet as Hierarchs and Archangels of the Twelve Universal Rays. For descriptive information about Kami goddesses and gods (Amaterasu, Benten, Daikokuten, Ebisu, Futotama, Hachiman, Inari, Inazuma, Izanagi, Izanami, Okuninushi, Sengen, Susanowa, Tenjin, and Toyouke), please see Creation Myth, Goddesses and Gods below. spiritsongs.org/Shintoism_Shinto_Shrine_Kami_Way.htm
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:49:15 GMT -5
Creation Myth
The Shinto faith began with the mythological belief that at the beginning of the universe there was only one thing that later divided into two things, Heaven and Earth. Then kami appeared in Heaven and the last of them was a male and female, kami couple who gave birth to the land, to nature, to the kami, and to the people of Japan. Within this life giving power, there is no substantial difference between humans and nature or the kami. We are all children of kami. After their death people are revered at their home as Ancestral Kami.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:51:10 GMT -5
Izanami and Izanagi
These Kami parents were Izanami (Izanami-No-Kami) who was the Japanese Shinto earth mother and Izanagi (Izanagi-No-Kami) was the Japanese Shinto sky father. Izanami (Izanami-No-Kami) who was the Japanese Shinto earth mother, Primordial creator goddess, who represented all that was gracious and heavenly. "The Female Who Invites" together with her husband, brother, and soulmate Izanagi (Izanagi-No-Kami), "The Male Who Invites", Izanami was given the task of creating the world.
Izanagi (Izanagi-No-Kami) was the Japanese Shinto sky father, primordial creator god, and Initiator of the Cleansing Rites who represented all that was light and heavenly. "The Male Who Invites" together with his wife, sister, and soulmate Izanami (Izanami-No-Kami), "The Female Who Invites", Izanagi was given the task of creating the world.
Izanagi and Izanami stood together on the floating bridge of the heavens called "Ama-no-ukihashi" and immersed a bejeweled spear deep into the sea. As they gradually removed it from the waves, water droplets condensed to form the first Japanese island where the kami and humans were born.
After their laborious endeavors together were finished, the Izanami needed a lengthy rest and recuperation, so she retreated to the Otherworld for a long period of time before returning to the Earthly realm to rejoin Izanagi. For more updated current information about them please see the Hierarchs of Twelve Universal Rays articles about Izanagi and Izanami.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:53:00 GMT -5
Way of the Kami
Kami are Shinto sacred spirits that are the objects to pray to for blessings and grace and to worship for their spirituality. The kami can take various forms including: the forms of natural elements like trees, rocks, mountains, the wind, and the sun; the forms of national heroes and protectors of family clans; or abstract things like fertility. Kami are the only things that have great influence on daily life. The kami of natural phenomena are worshiped: kami of the seas, kami of the rivers, kami of the thunders, kami of the rains, kami of the mountains. It is important to perform rites for kami since although they usually guard and bless people they can also get angry and bring misfortunes upon them.
The kami are neither omnipotent nor omniscient. In Shinto mythology, the kamiah that gave birth to the land of Japan failed at first and had to ask for help from other kami in heaven who told them to search for the answers through the practice of divination. There are no absolutes or perfect kami.
The people worship the divine spirits, Shinrei, because they have great influence in their lives, and they are in awe of the Magatsuhi Kami who bring evil into the daily living. Some of the most widely recognized of the Shinto gods and goddesses were Amaterasu, Benten, Daikokuten, Ebisu, Futotama, Hachiman, Inari, Inazuma, Izanagi, Izanami, Okuninushi, Sengen, Susanowa, Tenjin, and Toyouke.
Many of the ancient Japanese Shinto kami goddesses and gods are now serving the Japanese and other peoples of the planet as Archangels and Hierarchs of the Twelve Universal Rays. More of these Japanese kami goddesses and gods are in the process of joining them as Hierarchs of the Twelve Universal Rays and selecting Sacred Sites focal points as of summer 2005. Once the write-ups about them are completed, they will be included below.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:53:43 GMT -5
Amaterasu
Amaterasu (Ama Terasu, Omikami, Shinmei, Ten-sho-Ko-Daijan, O-Hiru-Me-No-Muchi), was a highly revered Japanese Shinto sun goddess. The daughter of the Creator god Izanagi and goddess Izanami, Amaterasu was known as "She Who Shines in the Heavens", "Illustrious Goddess" and "Ruler of the Plain of Heaven", and the Japanese Imperial family was descended from her. Written about in the Kojiki and Nihongi Japanese Sacred Texts, she has been revered since at least 600 A.C.E. The principal Kami of Shintoism, Amaterasu has been depicted in artistic paintings and sculptures.
Honored at every family shrine, her primary Sacred Site is the Ise Naiku Shrine, where the body of Amaterasu is represented by a mirror. Located at Ise-Jingue on Ise on the island of Honshu, the Naiku Shrine is pulled down every twenty years and then rebuilt in its original form.
The tutelary goddess of the Emperor, Amaterasu created rice fields called "inada" where she cultivated rice. She also taught the people how to cultivate wheat and silkworms, as well as, how to weave with a loom. Amaterasu has reunited and reestablished her partnership with her brother/husband god Susanowa and regularly spends some time with him at his Sacred Site at Keino Matsubara, Awajishima. For more updated current information about her, please see the Hierarchs of Twelve Universal Rays article about Amaterasu.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:54:20 GMT -5
Benten
Benten (Benten San, Benzai Ten, Benzai Tennyo) was a beautiful Japanese goddess of the arts, good fortune, knowledge, language, water, wealth, and wisdom. One of the Shichi Fujukin, "Seven Japanese Shinto Happiness Beings", Enoshima Island rose from the waters to receive the footsteps of Benten. There are many sanctuaries dedicated to Benten like the popular Zeniarai Benten Shrine in western Kamakura. She was revered in both Japanese Shinto and Buddhist traditional practices. Benten was also the protectress of children, dancers, geishas, and musicians. Benten is often depicted holding a "Biwa" instrument in her hand. For more updated current information about her, please see the Archangels of Twelve Universal Rays article about Benten.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:54:53 GMT -5
Daikokuten Ta-No-Kami
Daikokuten (Daikoku) was a Japanese Shinto god of luck, happiness, wealth, agriculture, crops, farming, rice paddies, harvests, and kitchens. As Ta-No-Kami, he was an agricultural, farming, and rice paddies god in western Japan. Often portrayed as a wealthy rotund figure seated on two bales of rice with a sack of jewels over his shoulder, he also held a hammer in his right hand. Frequently a mouse was also depicted nibbling at one of the bales of rice. According to Japanese traditions, whenever Daikokuten shakes his hammer a large amount of money falls out of it. Small gold talismans with representations of Daikokuten on them are carried to ensure prosperity, abundance, and wealth. For more updated current information about him, please see the Hierarchs of Twelve Universal Rays article about Daikokuten.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:55:25 GMT -5
Inari
Inari was a Japanese Shinto kami goddess of rice, agriculture, and foodstuffs. A gifted shamanic healer, she often appears in the guises such as a bearded man riding a white fox. She was revered as Miketsu-No-Kami revered at the imperial palace. Most often Inari was depicted in pictures as a woman with long flowing hair with sheaves of rice. She often also rode a white fox. Her animal totem is the fox, an prolific animal endowed according to Japanese traditions with supernatural powers. There were numerous statues of foxes at Inari shrines, which were painted bright red. They also had rows of wooden portal tunnels leading to the shrine. Inari was also associated with an unique pear shaped implement encircled by small flames called a Hoju-No-Tama. For more updated current information about her, please see the Hierarchs of Twelve Universal Rays article about Inari.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:56:23 GMT -5
Okuninushi
Okuninushi was the Japanese Shinto god of magic, marriage, and medicine who as a skilled shaman journeyed to the underworld several times, and underwent many spiritual tests. After he successfully completed them, Okuninushi returned renewed and restored to become the symbol of the "dying and budding nature". Using his mythological proportioned organizational skills, he consolidated, secured and strengthened the creative efforts of Izanagi and Izanami before fathering many offspring by numerous consorts. For more updated current information about him, please see the Hierarchs of Twelve Universal Rays article about Okuninushi.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:57:07 GMT -5
Toyouke
Toyouke, Toyo-Uke-Bime, was a Shinto goddess of agriculture, earth, and foodstuffs. As Toyouke-Omikami she was the goddess of grain. Mentioned in the Kojiki as the great granddaughter of Izanagi and Izanami, she was a daughter of Waku-Musubi-No-Kami. Her main sanctuary was moved in 478 A.C.E. from the Tamba Shrine to the Geku Shrine after the emperor received a dream message from Amaterasu. For more updated current information about her, please see the Hierarchs of Twelve Universal Rays article about Toyouke.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:57:37 GMT -5
Sengen
Sengen, (Konohanasakuya, Ko-no-Hana-Saku-ya-Hime) was a Japanese Shinto sacred mountain and blossom goddess. "Dawn of Good Luck", "Child-Flower", "The Princess who makes the Tree-Blossom Bloom", and "Tsubaki, Pink Blossom Princess", Sengen, who was also formerly known as Princess Konohanasakuya, guards the secret well of eternal youth. For more updated current information about her, please see the Archangels of Twelve Universal Rays article about Sengen.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:58:13 GMT -5
Susanowa
Susanowa, (Susanoto, Susano, Susano-Wo) was a Shinto wind, storm, weather, and sea god. According to Japanese mythology, he was born from the nose of the Izanagi and represents the both the physical world and the chthonic otherworld. Susanowa was the archetypal shamanic journeyer, spiritual warrior, and vision quester who gained notoriety as a Shinto god who followed the dictates of his own inner voice and heart even if they were at odds with conventional wisdom and the customary ways of the other Kami.
"Conquering Kami", "Powerful Transformative Healer of Illnesses, and "Wielder of the Grass Cutting Sword", he was credited with wiping out the plaque, as well as, defeating enemies and monsters. Portrayed artistically in paintings and sculptures, Susanowa was also mentioned in the Shintoism Nihongi and Kojiki Shintoism texts. The brother of the Shinto moon god Tsuki-Yomi and the sun goddess Amaterasu, Susanowa represented both the physical world and the chthonic otherworld.
Out of primordial necessity, Susanowo initially mated with his sister Amaterasu, but their earlier partnership was short-lived since she was repulsed by his temperamental excesses and sought refuge in a heavenly cave until she was eventually coaxed out by seeing the reflection of her divine purity in a mirror. Grounding his passionate nature in the earthly realm, Susanowa later on fathered offspring that included the harvest god O-Toshi-No-Kami with other consorts. Then after the passage of many years, a more even-tempered, less volatile, and seasoned Susanowa reestablished his partnership with sister/wife Amaterasu. For more updated current information about her, please see the Hierarchs of Twelve Universal Rays article about Susanowa.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:58:40 GMT -5
Ema
People visit Shinto Shrines seeking many different kinds of blessings like happiness, health, success, love, and wealth. After they arrive at the shrine they write all their desires down on a wooden plate and leave the plated behind when they depart with the hope that all of these wishes will be fulfilled in due course.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 21:59:37 GMT -5
Garden Designs
There are three types of artistically landscaped gardens. They are Chaniwa Tea Gardens, Karesansui Gardens, and Tsukiyama Gardens. The effortless simplicity of the Chaniwa Tea Gardens are atheistically pleasing. Usually stepping stones lead towards the tea houses where the sado tea ceremonies are held. There are stone lanterns and a tsukubai stone basin where guests purify themselves before participating in the customary ceremony. A fairly popular Japanese pastime, the ritual way for the host to prepare the matcha green tea for the guests to drink has been keenly affected by Zen Buddhism. Each ritualized step must be committed to memory and nearly every hand movement has been prescribed.
The Karesansui Gardens are dry gardens used for meditation that have also been keenly affected by Zen Buddhism. This type of Japanese artistically landscaped garden utilizes moss, gravel, sand, and stones to represent aspects of the natural landscape like island, mountains, and rivers. In Tsukiyama Gardens there are replicas of hills. Variable in size and perspective, they comprehensively depict a reknown Japanese setting with bridges, flowers, trees, paths, ponds, streams, and stones. Many of the larger Tsukiyama Gardens have circular scrolling paths.
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Post by Lady Anastasia on Jan 16, 2007 22:00:27 GMT -5
Hanami
The sakura (cherry blossom), which usually only blooms for a few days in the spring, is the unofficial flower of Japan. There are numerous varieties of cherry trees, and, cherry blossom viewing parties are held by the Japanese underneath the cherry trees to celebrate that time of year. Hanami, which means flower viewing, figures prominently in Japanese culture.
For many centuries, people have gathered together across the country to enjoy the intense beauty of the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom viewing might include a stroll through a park or garden in combination with a traditional picnic party under the blossoms of a tree. Popular hanami picnic spots are usually reserved ahead of time by spreading picnic sheets on the ground early in the morning. Either the picnic sheet is marked with the party group's name and starting time or else someone from the hanami party waits there until the rest of their group arrives.
When viewed from a distance, groups of cherry trees in full bloom resemble beautiful horizon clouds. Up close, the exquisite loveliness of a single cherry blossom delights the viewer. Cherry blossom viewing is often an exceptionally outstanding sight at shrines, temples, and castles, as well as, hanami spots that are lit up in the evening.
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