Shinto - Early History. The earliest origins of Shinto are lost to history, but it seems to have been established by the late Jomon period. A number of theories about the ancestors of today's Japanese people exist. These theories range from hypotheses of migration from central Asia or Indonesia that are accepted by most scholars to fringe speculation that even links the Japanese ...

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Shinto, Shinto - History, Shinto - Early History, Shinto - Shinto and Buddhism, Shinto - State Shinto, Shinto - Post-War, Shinto - Definition of Shinto, Shinto - Types of Shinto, Shinto - Characteristics of Shinto, Shinto - Practice and teaching of Shinto, Shinto - Afterlife, Shinto - Four affirmations, Shinto - Impurity, Shinto - Purification, Shinto - Shrines, Shinto - Gods, Shinto - Ema, Shinto - Cultural effects of Shinto, Shinto - Important shrines

Read more here: » Shinto: Encyclopedia II - Shinto - History

See also:

Shinto, Shinto - History, Shinto - Early History, Shinto - Shinto and Buddhism, Shinto - State Shinto, Shinto - Post-War, Shinto - Definition of Shinto, Shinto - Types of Shinto, Shinto - Characteristics of Shinto, Shinto - Practice and teaching of Shinto, Shinto - Afterlife, Shinto - Four affirmations, Shinto - Impurity, Shinto - Purification, Shinto - Shrines, Shinto - Gods, Shinto - Ema, Shinto - Cultural effects of Shinto, Shinto - Important shrines

Read more here: » Shinto: Encyclopedia II - Shinto - History

Shinto can be seen as a form of animism and may be regarded as a variety of shamanist religion. Shinto beliefs and ways of thinking are deeply embedded in the subconscious fabric of modern Japanese society. The afterlife is not a primary concern in Shinto, and much more emphasis is placed on fitting into this world, instead of preparing for the next. Shinto has no binding set of dogma, no holiest place for worshippers, no person or kami deemed holiest, and no defined set of prayers. Instead, Shinto is a collection of rituals and methods mean ...

See also:

Shinto, Shinto - History, Shinto - Early History, Shinto - Shinto and Buddhism, Shinto - State Shinto, Shinto - Post-War, Shinto - Definition of Shinto, Shinto - Types of Shinto, Shinto - Characteristics of Shinto, Shinto - Practice and teaching of Shinto, Shinto - Afterlife, Shinto - Four affirmations, Shinto - Impurity, Shinto - Purification, Shinto - Shrines, Shinto - Gods, Shinto - Ema, Shinto - Cultural effects of Shinto, Shinto - Important shrines

Read more here: » Shinto: Encyclopedia II - Shinto - Definition of Shinto

Shinto (神道 Shintō) (sometimes called Shintoism) is a native religion of Japan and was once its state religion. It has polytheistic and pantheistic elements. It involves the worship of kami, which can be translated to mean gods, spirits of nature, or just spiritual presences. Some kami are local and can be regarded as the spirit or genius of a particular place, but others represent major natural objects and processes, for example, Amaterasu, the Sun goddess. The word Shinto was created by combining two kanji: ...

Including:

• Shinto - History
• Shinto - Early History
• Shinto - Shinto and Buddhism
• Shinto - State Shinto
• Shinto - Post-War
• Shinto - Definition of Shinto
• Shinto - Types of Shinto
• Shinto - Characteristics of Shinto
• Shinto - Practice and teaching of Shinto
• Shinto - Afterlife
• Shinto - Four affirmations
• Shinto - Impurity
• Shinto - Purification
• Shinto - Shrines
• Shinto - Gods
• Shinto - Ema
• Shinto - Cultural effects of Shinto
• Shinto - Important shrines

Read more here: » Shinto: Encyclopedia - Shinto

Yasukuni Shrine (literally "peaceful nation shrine") is a controversial Shinto shrine located in Tokyo, Japan dedicated to the spirits of soldiers who died fighting on behalf of the Japanese emperor. The name of the shrine was originally written 靖國神社 (Yasukuni Jinja). But with the designation of the jōyō kanji, the name is now written in the simplified 靖国神社. As of October 2004, its Book of Souls lists the names of 2,466,532 Japanese and former colonial soldiers (mostly Korean and Taiwanese) kille ...

Including:

• Yasukuni Shrine - History
• Yasukuni Shrine - Kami
• Yasukuni Shrine - Controversy
• Yasukuni Shrine - Political impact
• Yasukuni Shrine - Debate in Japan
• Yasukuni Shrine - Recent events
• Yasukuni Shrine - External link

Read more here: » Yasukuni Shrine: Encyclopedia - Yasukuni Shrine

The term Shambhala Buddhism has come into use as an umbrella term referring to the teachings of Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism as propagated by the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, mixed with the various Shambhalian teachings and practices revealed by the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche (the 11th Trungpa Tulku). The present head of the lineage is Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Trungpa Rinpoche's eldest son and Shambhala heir. Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Budd ...

Including:

• Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Buddhism
• Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Training
• Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Terma
• Shambhala Buddhism - The Kalachakra the Rigden Kings and Gesar of Ling
• Shambhala Buddhism - Zen and Japanese arts
• Shambhala Buddhism - Elements of Bön Taoism Confucianism and Shinto
• Shambhala Buddhism - Dorje Kasung
• Shambhala Buddhism - Maitri and Mudra
• Shambhala Buddhism - Other Practices
• Shambhala Buddhism - History of Shambhala Buddhism
• Shambhala Buddhism - The Shambhala Buddhist community today
• Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala International
• Shambhala Buddhism - Spiritual Teachers
• Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Land Centers
• Shambhala Buddhism - Larger Shambhala Mandala
• Shambhala Buddhism - Related Publications

Read more here: » Shambhala Buddhism: Encyclopedia - Shambhala Buddhism

Seicho-No-Ie (生長の家, Seichō no ie, lit. "house of growth") is a syncretic, monotheistic, and panentheistic religion of Japanese origin. It emphasizes gratitude for nature, the family and the ancestors and, above all, religious faith in God. Despite some common misunderstandings that even exists amongst many of its own practitioners, it inherits most of its characteristics from Shinto rather than from Buddhism. Seicho-No-Ie - History. Seicho-No-Ie was founded in Japan in 1930 by Dr. Ma ...

Including:

• Seicho-No-Ie - History
• Seicho-No-Ie - Beliefs

Read more here: » Seicho-No-Ie: Encyclopedia - Seicho-No-Ie

The sky father is a recurring theme in pagan and neopagan mythology. The sky father is the complement of the earth mother and appears in some creation myths, many of which are European or ancient Near Eastern. Other cultures have quite different myths; Egyptian mythology features a sky mother and an earthly dying and reviving god of vegetation. Shinto gives precedence to a sun goddess. A sky father also relates to a solar deity, a god identified with the sun. In Maori mythology, Ranginui was the sky father. In this story, the sky father and earth moth ...

Including:

• Sky father - History of the concept

Read more here: » Sky father: Encyclopedia - Sky father

Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta Jingū) is a Japanese Shinto shrine in Atsuta-ku, Nagoya. It is known as the second-most venerable shrine in Japan (the most venerable being Ise Shrine). It enshrines Kusanagi no mitsurugi (草薙神剣, the Kusanagi sacred sword), one of the three imperial regalia of Japan. It holds around 70 festivals in a year, and many people visit the shrine year-round. Also, the shrine has over 4,000 national treasures representing its 2,000 years' history.

A biwa (琵琶) is a Japanese short-necked fretted lute, and a close variant of the Chinese pipa. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, the White Snake Goddess of Japan's Shinto religion. Biwa - History. The biwa reached Japan from China during the Nara Period (710-759 AD), and five instruments from that time are kept in the Shōsōin, the national treasure house of Japan. One of them is decorated with Central Asian themes, including a camel. Wandering biwa players, similar to minstrels, were known a ...

Including:

• Biwa - History
• Biwa - Types of Biwa
• Biwa - Classic Biwa
• Biwa - Middle and Edo Biwa
• Biwa - Modern Biwa
• Biwa - Teacher
• Biwa - External link

Read more here: » Biwa: Encyclopedia - Biwa

Hotei or Bu-Dai (布袋羅漢 (pinyin:bù dài luó hàn) literally Calico Bag Arhat) is better known in the English-speaking world as the obese Laughing Buddha. In China, he is called Bu-Dai (Wade-Giles Pu-Tai) or Mi Le Fo (彌勒佛) and dubbed the Loving or Friendly One. He has become incorporated into Buddhist & Shinto culture and is based on an eccentric Chinese Chan (Zen) monk. His image graces many temples, restaurants, and amulets. Hotei has become a deity of contentm ...

Including:

• Hotei - History
• Hotei - As Angida Arhat
• Hotei - As a Chinese Buddhist monk
• Hotei - Description
• Hotei - Religion
• Hotei - Western trends

Read more here: » Hotei: Encyclopedia - Hotei

In Konkokyo, everything is seen as being in profound interrelation with each other. God is not seen as distant or residing in heaven, but present within this world. The universe is perceived to be the body of the Parent God. Suffering is seen as being caused by individual disregard of the relationship between all things. Konkokyo's beliefs center around the betterment of human life in this world by gratitude, apologising, mutual help and prayer. In this way, everybody can join their hearts with God to become Ikigami, a living God. It is beli ...

See also:

Konkokyo, Konkokyo - History, Konkokyo - Beliefs, Konkokyo - Relationship to Shinto, Konkokyo - External link

Read more here: » Konkokyo: Encyclopedia II - Konkokyo - Beliefs

Yasukuni Shrine was originally constructed in June 1869 by order of the Meiji Emperor to commemorate the victims of the Boshin War. It was one of the principal shrines associated with State Shinto. Originally named Tōkyō Shōkonsha (東京招魂社), the shrine was renamed Yasukuni Jinja in 1879. The shrine has performed Shinto rites to house the kami (spirits) of all Japanese and former colonial soldiers (Korean and Taiwanese) who have died in conflicts since then. It also enshrines any members of the Japanese Self-Defence F ...

See also:

Yasukuni Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine - History, Yasukuni Shrine - Kami, Yasukuni Shrine - Controversy, Yasukuni Shrine - Political impact, Yasukuni Shrine - Debate in Japan, Yasukuni Shrine - Recent events, Yasukuni Shrine - External link

Read more here: » Yasukuni Shrine: Encyclopedia II - Yasukuni Shrine - History

Yasukuni Shrine was originally constructed in June 1869 by order of the Meiji Emperor to commemorate the victims of the Boshin War. It was one of the principal shrines associated with State Shinto. Originally named Tōkyō Shōkonsha (東京招魂社), the shrine was renamed Yasukuni Jinja in 1879. The shrine has performed Shinto rites to house the kami (spirits) of all Japanese and former colonial soldiers (Korean and Taiwanese) who have died in conflicts since then. It also enshrines any members of the Japanese Self-Defence F ...

See also:

Yasukuni Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine - History, Yasukuni Shrine - Kami, Yasukuni Shrine - Controversy, Yasukuni Shrine - Political impact, Yasukuni Shrine - Debate in Japan, Yasukuni Shrine - Imperial Boycott, Yasukuni Shrine - Recent events, Yasukuni Shrine - External link

Read more here: » Yasukuni Shrine: Encyclopedia II - Yasukuni Shrine - History

Many Jinja (Shinto shrines) and Buddhist temples, and kofun exist in Nara Prefecture, and many tourists are visiting there. Moreover, many world heritage sites, such as the temple Tōdai-ji and Kasuga Shrine, exist in the capital city of Nara. Nara Prefecture - World Heritage sites. Tōdai-ji (東大寺) Kōfuku-ji (興福寺) Kasuga Shrine (春日大社) Gangō-ji (元興寺) Yakushi-ji (薬師寺) Tōshōdai-ji (唐招提寺) The remains of Heijo Palace (平城宮跡) Hōryū-ji (法隆 ...

See also:

Nara Prefecture, Nara Prefecture - History, Nara Prefecture - Geography, Nara Prefecture - Cities, Nara Prefecture - Towns and villages, Nara Prefecture - Mergers, Nara Prefecture - Politics, Nara Prefecture - Economy, Nara Prefecture - Demographics, Nara Prefecture - Culture, Nara Prefecture - Tourism, Nara Prefecture - World Heritage sites, Nara Prefecture - Buddhist temples, Nara Prefecture - Shinto shrines, Nara Prefecture - Kofun and Heritage, Nara Prefecture - Hot springs, Nara Prefecture - Mountains, Nara Prefecture - Others, Nara Prefecture - Prefectural symbols, Nara Prefecture - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Nara Prefecture: Encyclopedia II - Nara Prefecture - Tourism

Historically, Nara Prefecture was also known as Yamato-no-kuni or Yamato Province. It is certain that a political force established at the foot of Mt. Miwa in the east of Nara Basin succeeded in unifying most parts of Japan from the third century until the fourth century, though the process was not well documented. At the dawn of history Yamato was clearly the political center of Japan. Due to connections with the southern parts of the Korean Peninsula, many continental immigrants were introduced into the metropolitan regions t ...

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Nara Prefecture, Nara Prefecture - History, Nara Prefecture - Geography, Nara Prefecture - Cities, Nara Prefecture - Towns and villages, Nara Prefecture - Mergers, Nara Prefecture - Politics, Nara Prefecture - Economy, Nara Prefecture - Demographics, Nara Prefecture - Culture, Nara Prefecture - Tourism, Nara Prefecture - World Heritage sites, Nara Prefecture - Buddhist temples, Nara Prefecture - Shinto shrines, Nara Prefecture - Kofun and Heritage, Nara Prefecture - Hot springs, Nara Prefecture - Mountains, Nara Prefecture - Others, Nara Prefecture - Prefectural symbols, Nara Prefecture - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Nara Prefecture: Encyclopedia II - Nara Prefecture - History

Nara Prefecture is located in the middle of the Kii Peninsula on the western half of Honshu, Japan. Nara Prefecture is part of the Kansai, or Kinki, region of Japan. Nara Prefecture is landlocked. The northern plains of the prefecture are bounded by the tallest mountains in the Kansai, located in the south of the prefecture. It is 78.5 km from East to west and 103.6 km from North to South. Nara is bordered to the west by Wakayama Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture; on the north by Kyoto ...

See also:

Nara Prefecture, Nara Prefecture - History, Nara Prefecture - Geography, Nara Prefecture - Cities, Nara Prefecture - Towns and villages, Nara Prefecture - Mergers, Nara Prefecture - Politics, Nara Prefecture - Economy, Nara Prefecture - Demographics, Nara Prefecture - Culture, Nara Prefecture - Tourism, Nara Prefecture - World Heritage sites, Nara Prefecture - Buddhist temples, Nara Prefecture - Shinto shrines, Nara Prefecture - Kofun and Heritage, Nara Prefecture - Hot springs, Nara Prefecture - Mountains, Nara Prefecture - Others, Nara Prefecture - Prefectural symbols, Nara Prefecture - Miscellaneous topics

Read more here: » Nara Prefecture: Encyclopedia II - Nara Prefecture - Geography

Today the Shambhala Buddhist community is perhaps the largest community of Western practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Presently there are a few thousand Shambhala Buddhist practitioners, with the largest communities in Halifax, NS; Boulder, CO; northern Vermont; and New York, NY. There are over one hundred Shambhala Meditation Centers around the world, mostly in the United States, Canada, Europe and South Americ ...

See also:

Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Training, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Terma, Shambhala Buddhism - The Kalachakra the Rigden Kings and Gesar of Ling, Shambhala Buddhism - Zen and Japanese arts, Shambhala Buddhism - Elements of Bön Taoism Confucianism and Shinto, Shambhala Buddhism - Dorje Kasung, Shambhala Buddhism - Maitri and Mudra, Shambhala Buddhism - Other Practices, Shambhala Buddhism - History of Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - The Shambhala Buddhist community today, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala International, Shambhala Buddhism - Spiritual Teachers, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Land Centers, Shambhala Buddhism - Larger Shambhala Mandala, Shambhala Buddhism - Related Publications

Read more here: » Shambhala Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Shambhala Buddhism - The Shambhala Buddhist community today

At the heart of the teachings of Shambhala Buddhism is the belief that "there is a natural source of radiance and brilliance in the world, which is the innate wakefulness of human beings. This is the basis, in myth and inspiration, of the Kingdom of Shambhala, an enlightened society of fearlessness, dignity and compassion."[1] The Shambhala Buddhist sangha continues its ties to contemporary Kagyu and Nyingma lineage holders, among them His Holiness the Karmapa, H.H. Penor Rinpoche, and other important lamas. Many prominent lamas come ...

See also:

Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Training, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Terma, Shambhala Buddhism - The Kalachakra the Rigden Kings and Gesar of Ling, Shambhala Buddhism - Zen and Japanese arts, Shambhala Buddhism - Elements of Bön Taoism Confucianism and Shinto, Shambhala Buddhism - Dorje Kasung, Shambhala Buddhism - Maitri and Mudra, Shambhala Buddhism - Other Practices, Shambhala Buddhism - History of Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - The Shambhala Buddhist community today, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala International, Shambhala Buddhism - Spiritual Teachers, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Land Centers, Shambhala Buddhism - Larger Shambhala Mandala, Shambhala Buddhism - Related Publications

Read more here: » Shambhala Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Buddhism

The term "Shambhala Buddhism" as used to describe the larger tradition of the community founded by Trungpa Rinpoche came into use in around 2000. The community itself first began in 1970 with the arrival of Trungpa Rinpoche in North America. The first established center of his teachings was "Tail of the Tiger" in Barnet, Vermont (now Karmê Chöling). When Rinpoche began teaching at the University of Colorado in 1971, a second branch of the community began to form there. In the early 1970s the community grew rapidly and attracted the involvement of such not ...

See also:

Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - Distinguishing Characteristics of Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Training, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Terma, Shambhala Buddhism - The Kalachakra the Rigden Kings and Gesar of Ling, Shambhala Buddhism - Zen and Japanese arts, Shambhala Buddhism - Elements of Bön Taoism Confucianism and Shinto, Shambhala Buddhism - Dorje Kasung, Shambhala Buddhism - Maitri and Mudra, Shambhala Buddhism - Other Practices, Shambhala Buddhism - History of Shambhala Buddhism, Shambhala Buddhism - The Shambhala Buddhist community today, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala International, Shambhala Buddhism - Spiritual Teachers, Shambhala Buddhism - Shambhala Land Centers, Shambhala Buddhism - Larger Shambhala Mandala, Shambhala Buddhism - Related Publications

Read more here: » Shambhala Buddhism: Encyclopedia II - Shambhala Buddhism - History of Shambhala Buddhism