Attached.

OUTLINE

1. INTRODUCTION
2. BODY
3. CONCLUSION
4. REFERENCE


Running Head: RELIGIOUS INFLUNCES IN JAPAN

Religious Influences in Japan

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RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES IN JAPAN

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Religious Influences
Introduction
Ancient Japan has an extensive history of several religious practices as well as beliefs. A
number of the religions originated from Japan while others originated from other cultures. The
paper will address the influences of different religions as well as philosophical systems within
Japan during 300 BCE to 1000 CE. My argument will be based on religion and the high culture
as one of the documents with which I feel is considered as the most influential figure within
Japan's religions as well as the philosophical development within the period of Religions. During
the culture of Yayoi (300 BCE), Shinto religion introduction was done to Japan. Shinto religion
is the single religion which was introduced in Japan; this refers to the way of the Gods.
Shintoism is considered as the polytheistic religion, (Kawahata et al., 2016).
Religious beliefs
The history of Japan religion being a broad process involves mutual influence occurring
between the Christian traditions. Shinto is considered as the indigenous religion which has
continued capturing parts of the people’s lives from the ancient period in Japan. Buddhism was
brought up in Japan in the old days; both Shinto and Buddhism began to interact with each other.
The interaction brought up characteristics of the Japanese religion. According to the theory of
honji suijaku, Shinko kami were considered as the deities of Buddhism incarnations, (Shaffer,
2015).
Confucian as well as the Taoism religions also played a significant influence concerning
the Japanese ethical as well as the political philosophy within the formation times of Japanese
government. The importance of different religious beliefs in Japan can be discovered in Chinese

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calendar use as well as those found in popular beliefs like those concerning the fortune-telling
together with the auspicious directions. In Japan, neither Confucianism nor Taoism develops a
different religion. However, the traditions have constituted majorly into the Japanese life as well
as influencing both the Shinto and Buddhism.
Confucianism, mainly is the formality termed as the Neo-Confucianism, gave out the
foundation for the ethical association within both the state and the daily life. The tenets of
Confucianism were known to influence the everyday life continuously. Taoism just like
Confucianism was derived from China had brought a long-lasting influence concerning the
popular religious beliefs. The specific ethical theories are concerned with the sacred mountains,
fire walking as well as the purification rituals of all types. Both religious traditions have
constituted to a greater or fewer extent to the following Japanese religious principles and
characteristics: pluralism in the religious beliefs, living dead, reverence for the ancestors,
religious system exchange ideas and the spiritual practices concerning mediation, prayer, amulets
together with purification rights, (Kawahata et al., 2016).
Religious practitioners
Through influence by the religious beliefs and culture, any male person can be trained for
the post of the priesthood; however, in small temples as well as shrines, the position of...