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Ancestors
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Beliefnet welcomes Shintoists! Shinto is the native polytheistic religion of Japan with a literally infinite number of "kami", or deities, alongside a myriad of ancient traditions, customs, and ideas. The faith is practiced, usually in small pockets, all around the world and has a naturally flexible backbone which allows it to meld with other local traditions.
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Messages: 1 - 3 (3 total)
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ibisbasenji
3/9/2003 2:47 AM
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1 out of 3 |
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I've found in what little inspection I've done into Shinto repeated mention of one's ancestors, and thoughts regarding them..
I'd just like a little bit of clarification, a blunt flat statement if you will. What, simply, and generally if need be, are the roles of one's ancesotrs in Shinto faith? Are they actually "worshipped" or revered for honor's sake, or both, or is there some other purpose?
On a side note, I do wonder what Shinto teaches regarding afterlife.. I admit I've not yet gotten to that, and this seems relative (pardon the pun).
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ichamberlin
3/9/2003 9:47 PM
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2 out of 3 |
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Hi there Ibis! How are you? My name is Ian and I follow Tenrikyo (formerly part of the Shuha or Sect Shinto). I will explain in two different frames. The first is the Tenrikyo frame - we believe our Ancestors had virtues and we adore them for these virtues and hope that we can have all the virtues our ancestors had. In Tenrikyo Churches there is always a Goshintai (sacred object), usually a mirror, dedicated specifically to our Ancestors. Tenrikyo has very limited teachings on the afterlife. We believe only that we change clothes when we die (reincarnation). Within the Jinja (Shrine) Shinto it is slightly different (but Ancestor worship is rather the same except Jinja Shinto asks for ancestor's guidance). In terms of afterlife, in Shinto when you die you become a Kami (God - this is not a good translation since there are many cultural stereotypes applied to it). When you become a Kami, you are simply a honored person who is part of the universe. At least that's what I know
Ian Chamberlin
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abarenboshogunvi
3/11/2003 12:52 AM
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3 out of 3 |
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ibisbasenji writes,
I'd just like a little bit of clarification, a blunt flat statement if you will. What, simply, and generally if need be, are the roles of one's ancesotrs in Shinto faith? Are they actually "worshipped" or revered for honor's sake, or both, or is there some other purpose?
Ancestors are revered and honored because family relationships maintain their continuity after death. One's relatives are one's relatives, whether they are living or deceased. As such, one still has a duty and an obligation to honor them. Even though they are now "ancestral kami", so to speak, they are still family.
On a side note, I do wonder what Shinto teaches regarding afterlife.. I admit I've not yet gotten to that, and this seems relative (pardon the pun).
{Groan} :-)
Seriously, I just wrote something on this on the "Considering Shinto" thread.
With bright heart,
abarenbo
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