In what way(s) is Japanese religion as much a matter of practice as it is "beliefs"?
Unlike the western views of religion, Japanese religion is not defined so much as belonging to a single institution but by the personal mixture of beliefs from multiple religions such as Shinto, Buddhism or Confucianism. Earhart states that “there are as many Japanese religions as there are Japanese people.” (Page 6) People in Japan pick up different beliefs throughout their life, especially from family because family unity is so important to them as a nation. As for how the religion is a matter of practice as it is beliefs, it is easy to see why that is so because people do not identify with just one religion. “Religion in Japan has been characterized not so much by belonging to specific organizations as by acting out religious beliefs in daily and …show more content…
The first thing was when Earhart mentioned it is believed the purification is used by “soaking in a hot bath and the provision of a damp face cloth for guests.” (Page 12) While providing a face cloth for guest is not something I am too familiar with a hot bath is something I believe most people are. Taking a shower would be just as effective as a bath, we view it as rejuvenating and refreshing, and it makes sense how that can be related to religion in that way. A second thing that is mentioned is how the blessing of objects is common within Japanese religion and that “this practice has even extended to the blessing of automobile.” (Page 13) While I assume most people do not think to go out and get their car blessed by someone such as priest, our generation has taken a liking to giving our first car a name. Giving something a name is like acknowledging it as something special to us because it marks a new stage in our lives. I believe that has some religious significance even if at the time we do not realize
Unlike the western views of religion, Japanese religion is not defined so much as belonging to a single institution but by the personal mixture of beliefs from multiple religions such as Shinto, Buddhism or Confucianism. Earhart states that “there are as many Japanese religions as there are Japanese people.” (Page 6) People in Japan pick up different beliefs throughout their life, especially from family because family unity is so important to them as a nation. As for how the religion is a matter of practice as it is beliefs, it is easy to see why that is so because people do not identify with just one religion. “Religion in Japan has been characterized not so much by belonging to specific organizations as by acting out religious beliefs in daily and …show more content…
The first thing was when Earhart mentioned it is believed the purification is used by “soaking in a hot bath and the provision of a damp face cloth for guests.” (Page 12) While providing a face cloth for guest is not something I am too familiar with a hot bath is something I believe most people are. Taking a shower would be just as effective as a bath, we view it as rejuvenating and refreshing, and it makes sense how that can be related to religion in that way. A second thing that is mentioned is how the blessing of objects is common within Japanese religion and that “this practice has even extended to the blessing of automobile.” (Page 13) While I assume most people do not think to go out and get their car blessed by someone such as priest, our generation has taken a liking to giving our first car a name. Giving something a name is like acknowledging it as something special to us because it marks a new stage in our lives. I believe that has some religious significance even if at the time we do not realize