I have been to several Shinto Shrines. The first time I was by myself. When I entered through the gate, there was a beautiful stone well of water, carved with fabulous twisting dragons, and with what looked like a little drinking cup resting on the side. It was SO hot and miserable and the water looked SO cool and inviting and there was no one around...sooooo, I almost took a quick sip. I am sooooo happy I did not take that sip. Apparently, there is a purification protocol to follow upon entering a Shinto shrine....
I learned the proper protocol later with a tour group, while visiting one of the major Shinto shrines in Japan.
There were three gates at this shrine. Passing through the first gate rids one of evil spirits (which is the evil within oneself).
Passing through the second gate is for purification - And this is where the beautiful stone well of water is positioned. To properly purify oneself, you pick up the little cup and pour water over your left hand, then pour water over your right hand, then pour water INTO your left hand, then drink the water from your left hand - BUT don't swallow it - just swish it around and then spit it into the designated spitting place...and don't miss.
Now that you are purified you can enter the actual shrine by passing under the third gate.
Once inside, there are several rituals to choose from. You can pay a few yen and write your prayers on a little board. It is then hung up on a wall for all to see. There were some great prayers - the usual requests for millions of dollars, for Ferraris, and for true or not-so-true love - but my favorite was "To heal Pam's heart."
Just beyond the prayer wall was the actual shrine. After approaching the shrine, you clap 3 times, throw your offering of coins into a grilled area, then clap 3 more times..... and that's all there is to it ....
The main lesson I learned from visiting Shinto shrines is "when you're in a foreign country, don't drink the water till you see what the natives do with it..."
... Of course, this protocol does not explain what Shintoism is...and it is a very important concept for understanding all that is Japanese....
Shinto is the native religion of Japan. It's ways of thinking are deep in the subconscious fabric of Japanese society. The emphasis is placed on fitting into this world - Fitting into your group is VERY important in Japan. You do not want to be the "nail that sticks up" because you will be hammered down. Shinto has no absolute commandments for its adherents outside of living "a simple and harmonious life with nature and people."
1. Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage. By the way, they are REALLY into the big, white Western style wedding dresses here.
2. Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the kami - thus the beautiful Japanese gardens.
3. Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouths often - The bath is one of the most essential rituals of the Japanese - that's why I have that button in my kitchen to fill up my bath tub while I cook dinner.
JAPANESE RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY...TO BE CONTINUED
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