INTRODUCTION TO WORLD

RELIGION AND BELIEF

SYSTEM
2ND Quarter: Module 6

Rogelio DG. Burce

Mary Ann C. Doctor
Module Writer

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

HUMSS – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 6
First Edition, 2020

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 12
Introduction to
World Religion and
Belief System
Quarter 2 – Module 6
SHINTOISM

Content Standard
The learner demonstrates understanding of the elements of Shintoism.
Performance Standard
The learner interprets the Kojiki creation story creatively.
Most Essential Learning (Week 14)

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

 Examine the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs, practices, and related
issues of Shintoism.
Learning Competency
● Understand the teachings and practices of Shintoism.
● Appreciate the distinctiveness of Shintoism religion.

EXPECTATION

● This module is intended to you learners of Grade 12 Humanities and Social Science
Strand classes specifically in your course subject Introduction to World Religion and
Belief System
The lesson included in your module teaches you to analyze the similarities and
differences of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.
● It also helps you to appreciate the differences of Theravada and Mahayana
Buddhism. In this module there are activities that will guide you to better understand
your lesson.
Are you ready and excited? Let’s start…

PRE-TEST
Multiple Choice: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of your correct answer on the space
provided.
1. It is the comprehensive collection of Shinto mythology.

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

a. Amtasu Norito b. Kojiki c. Nihongi d. Naruto
2. The Japanese name for their country which means “sun origin.”
a. Nippon b. Dharpa c. Darwin d. Dhami
3. The meaning of the word ‘Shinto.’
a. “ways of men” b. “way of the people” c. “way of the gods” d.”ways of the things”
4. The name of the sun-goddess.
a. Amarus b. Amarisus c. Amorisa d. Amaterasus
5. This is the name for their many gods.
a. kanomi b. kami c. kalipa d. mika
6. It is the practice of worshipping and honoring gods and ancestral spirits.
a. tradition b. matsuri c. love for nature d. ritual purity
7. An affirmation which the main celebrations center on birth and marriage.
a. tradition b. matsuri c. love for nature d. ritual purity
8. The collection of the most important prayers and rituals of Shinto.
a. Amatasu Norito b. Kojiki c. Nihongi d. Naruto
9. Shinto’s worship many gods, called kami, that are found in mountains, rivers, rocks, trees,
a. tradition b. matsuri c. love for nature d. ritual purity
10. Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouths before entering a
shrine.
a. tradition b. matsuri c. love for nature d. ritual purity

LOOKING BACK
Dare to Compare!
Provide the correct answer which shows the differences between Theravada and Mahayana.
Theme Theravada Mahayana
1. Key virtue
2. Buddha’s status
3. Ideal

INTRODUCTION OF THE LESSON

Japan: The Land of the Rising Sun
Why Japan is called “the land of the rising sun?” Basically Japan means “origin of the sun”
or “land of the rising sun.” This idea that the Japanese people
is connected to the sun goes back to the myth at the center of Shinto.

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

 Let’s trace it back then!
Lesson: Shintoism – The National Religion of Japan
I. General Background
Shinto is purely a Japanese religion, the origins of which are buried in antiquity. The
Japanese name for their country is Nippon, which means “sun origin.” Shinto means “the way of
the kami” or “divine way.” Shinto is Japan’s indigenous religion, and its origin is as old as the
history of the Japanese culture. According to Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Thomas
Hartman, this religion didn’t have a name until Buddhism from China began appearing in Japan
(circa 500 C.E). To distinguish between the worship of the kami and the Buddha, the name of
Shinto (the way of the kami) was born. However, it was not until the late twentieth century that the
term Shinto was used to refer to a specific body of religious ideas.
II. Brief History
We cannot separate Shinto’s to Japan’s colorful history. It is the heart and soul of Japanese
very active and cooperative body system.
1. Rulership period (Prehistoric- 500 A.D)
According to Jenny King, no one knows when or how Shinto began. But Shintoists have
always worshipped the kami through nature. Shinto myths appear in the Nihongi (Chronicles of
Japan) and the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) both written in the A.D. 700’s. These myths
tell how the kami created the world and established customs and laws. According to Shinto myth,
the sun goddess was the ancestor of Japan’s imperial family. Children were taught at school that
the Emperors were descendants of the sun-godess, Amaterasus who has given the imperial house
the divine right to rule.
2. Rejection period (500-800 A.D)
Beginning about the A.D. 500’s, the Chinese philosophies of Buddhism and Confucianism
began to influence Shinto. Shintoists identified Buddhist gods as kami and shrines adopted
Buddhism images to represent the kami. In the year 645, the Emperor Kotoku embraced
Buddhism and rejected Shintoism.
3. Refinement period (800-1700 A.D)
Combined with other religions, mixing with both Buddhism and Confucianism and forming
what is called Ryobu Shinto, or dual-aspect. Shinto experienced a considerable decline this period.
4. Revival period (1700-early 1800 A.D)
In 1868, the Japanese government invented State Shinto which stressed patriotism and the
divine origins of the Japanese emperor. Josh McDowell narrated that Emperor Meiji established
Shinto as the official religion of Japan in place of Buddhism. However, since the people continued to
embraced both religions, in 1877 Buddhism was allowed to be practiced by the people, with total
religious liberty granted two years afterward.
5. Realization Period (1900 A.D- Present)
After Japan’s defeat in World War II in 1945, the emperor denied that he was divine and the
government abolished the State Shinto. In the following year in a radio broadcast to the Japanese
people, Emperor Hirohito repudiated his divine right to rule and the American occupation forbade

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

the use of funds to support Shinto. Today many Japanese are less religious than they were before
the war. Gerald Macdermott believe that most Japanese are indifferent to the emperor politically,
but they respect him at the very least as the foremost representative of the world’s oldest ruling
dynasty.

III. Sacred Writings

Three major writings reflects the content of Shinto, though we should think of them as
descriptive rather than as Shinto rule books
1. Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) – a comprehensive collection of Shinto mythology which
tells the story of how gods (kami) came into being.
Kojiki Creation story:
The Japanese story of national origins is the myth of the Sun Goddess. Our earliest record of
this goes back to A.D 720. The world is said to have started in primordial chaos, out of which arose
a succession of seven generations of gods. The seventh are brother and sister gods named Izanagi
(the brother) and Izanami (the sister), who became husband and wife. Her urine, feces, and vomit
become matter, earth, and the ocean. They create the gods (kami) of nature. Then three chief gods:
Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess; the Moon God; and Susanowo, the god of storms and seas.
Izagani and Izanami married and created the Japanese islands. Izanami died and went into the
underworld. Amaterasu (sun-goddess) would not show her face for a time and became the ancestor
of the emperor of Japan.
2. Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan) – compilation of all the variations in the same story as the Kojiki.
3. The Amatasu Norito – the collection of the most important prayers and rituals of Shinto.
IV. Core Beliefs
Four Affirmations
1. Tradition and family
The family is the foundation for preserving traditions. Their main celebrations center on birth
and marriage.
2. Love of nature
Nature is sacred, and natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits.
Historian prefers to describe Shinto as the native religion of Japan and dates it from prehistoric
times. Shinto’s worship many gods, called kami, that are found in mountains, rivers, rocks, trees,
and other parts of nature. It is concerned with being in harmony with nature.
3. Ritual purity
Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouths before entering
a shrine where they will worship the kami. Many of the sacred shrines are built near flowing water
to help the people maintain their state of purity. Twice a year, festivals are held to drive out
pollutants or impurities.
4. Matsuri
This is the practice of worshipping and honoring gods and ancestral spirits. Great
Purification Ceremony is the most important matsuri which consists of a confession of sins
committed by individuals and by the nation and followed by request that kami remove the impure

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

conditions caused by these sins. Other ceremonies deal with such basic goals as long life, peace,
abundant harvests and good health.

V. Major Practices
According to Joseph Gaer, today many Shinto’s sects are almost, although not as quite, as
diverse as the Christian sects. But all of them adhere to the basic tenets that teach them.
“To be courageous, loyal, and to observe cleanliness; That the Father and Mother of the
Japanese race stem from Izanagi and Izanami; That life is good; That the world reveals itself in
beauty – particularly in dignity and simplicity; and that deeds are more important than arguments.”
Among the sects that have evolved formal Decalogues are two, The Shinri Kyo, and
Shinshu Kyo.

Ten Precepts of Shinri Kyo Ten Precepts of Shinshu Kyo

1. Do not transgress the will of the gods. 1. Worship the great deities of this sect.
2. Do not forget your obligations to 2. Pacify the spirit, for it is part of the spirit
ancestors. of deity.
3. Do not transgress the decrees of the 3. Practice the Way of the Gods.
State.
4. Do not forget the profound goodness of 4. Revere the divine origin of the State.
the gods whereby misfortune is averted and
sickness is healed.
5. Do not forget that the world is one 5. Be loyal to the ruler.
family.
6. Do not forget the limitations of your own 6. Be zealous in filial piety toward thy
person. parents.
7. Even though others become angry, do 7. Be kind to others.
not become angry yourself.
8. Do not be slothful in your business. 8. Be diligent in business.
9. Do not be a person who brings blame to 9. Preserve steadfastness within thy breast.
the teaching.
10. Do not be carried away by foreign 10. Cleanse away the rust of thy body.
teaching.

What’s More?
Activity 1: The Confluence of Religion to Japanese Culture
Explain the connections of Shinto religion to Japanese culture and government.
Areas of Connections of Religion
Concern

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

 1. Government

2. Arts

3. Health

4. Morality

5. Beliefs

Guide Questions;
1. Which do you think has the strongest influence of Shintoism in Japanese institution? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you think because of Shintoism why Japanese has a strong self-discipline and respect for
nature? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Moving On!
Activity 2- Interpret the Japanese Secret!
Give your own interpretation of the “Kojiki Creation’s Story.” What is the significance of
this story in Japanese history, religion and culture?
Country of Japan Significance of Kojiki Creation’s Story
1. History (politics)
2. Religion (beliefs)
3. Culture (way of
life)

Rubrics:
Content (5 points) – the explanation given is precise and convincing.
Presentation (5 points) – The contractions of sentence and ideas are correct and clear.

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

What I have learned: Activity 3: Filipino Flavor
Look into the flavor of Filipino culture which very evident in Shintoism religion.
Japanese Culture Filipino Culture
Ex. Respect for the elders thru Respect for the elders through
veneration and rituals pagmamano
1.

2.

3.

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

What I CAN Do?
A. Write R if the statement Represents the teachings and practices of Shintoism and D, if Denies it.
_____ 1. Most Shinto’s are nature-lover.
_____ 2. Orphanages for the elder are common among the Shinto’s.
_____ 3. Japanese has more tendencies to rebel against authorities.
_____ 4. They do not display any images in their homes.
_____ 5. Shrines are very popular in every place.
_____ 6. Rituals are strictly prohibited.
_____ 7. Cleanliness is one of their primary values.
_____ 8. They honor only one god and creator of everything.
_____ 9. Patriotism and loyalty to govern are emphasized.
____10. Japanese are very accommodating with other religions.

B. Identify the historical period of the following description.

11. Combined with other religions, mixing with both Buddhism and Confucianism and forming
what is called Ryobu Shinto, or dual-aspect.
12. During this time the Japanese government invented State Shinto which stressed patriotism and
the divine origins of the Japanese emperor.
13. In the year 645, the Emperor Kotoku embraced Buddhism and rejected Shintoism.

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

14. Most Japanese are indifferent to the emperor politically, but they respect him.
15. A time when the Emperors were taught descendants of the sun-godess, Amaterasus who has
given the imperial house the divine right to rule.

ENRICHMENT
Congratulations! You’re almost done in attaining a well-oriented status in Shintoism
religion. Kindly, answer the following questions.
1. What is the most significant influence of Shintoism religion in our society?
________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Would it be possible for Japan to have its own identity without the Shintoism?
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Inihanda ni;
Mr. Rogelio D.G Burce
Bagong Barrio Senior High School
Teacher 1

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce

Referrences:

Mga Sanggunian:

Corduan, Winfried. “Guide to World Religions,” Intervarsity Press.USA.2006

Mcdermott, Gerald R. “World Religion- An indispensible Introduction, Thomas Nelson.USA.2011
Gaer, Joseph, “What the Great religions Believe,” New American Library.USA.1963
King, Jenny, “World’s Religions,” Worldlinks Books.Philippines.2002
Gellman, Marc, Hartman, Thomas Religion for Dummies,“Wiley Publishing. USA. 2002
McDowell, Josh, “The Best of Josh McDowell- A Ready Defense,”Thomas Nelson.USA.1993

Answers Key
PRE-T REVIEW EVALUATION
EST
1. B 1. R 11. REFINEMENT
2. B 2. D 12. REVIVAL
3. C 3. D 13. REJECTION
4. D 4. D 14. REALIZATION
5. B 5. R 15. RULERSHIP
6. B 6. D
7. A 7. R
8. A 8. D
9. C 9. R
10. D 10. R
.

Intro to World Religion. Qr.2.Wk6 Rogelio DG. Burce