Group+Three+-+Religion

=Japanese Religion    =

=     =  Modern day Japan focuses on two main religions; Shintoism and Buddhism. That is not to say that an individual is either Shinto or Buddhist, in fact, many are both. To understand a society you must acknowledge their beliefs, without doing so you cannot comprehend their decision making foundation. To help you understand the richness of Japanese religion I will give a brief overview of both ideologies. ==<span style="color: rgb(237, 2, 2);"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Shinto**     == <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(237, 2, 2);"> 神道     <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span class="t_nihongo_kanji"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">

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=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: rgb(237, 2, 2);">What is Shinto? = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Shinto is the native religion of Japan; it focuses mainly on nature and ancestor worship (Wikipedia). Shinto is commonly translated as “The Way of The Gods.” There is no foretold place of worship or designated set of prayers and there is no single supreme holy being. Shintoism focuses on the worship of Kami's; the spirit found within and pertaining to all things.

=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: rgb(242, 2, 2);">Types of Shinto   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">    = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **<span style="color: rgb(11, 4, 4);"> ·<span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">   <span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);"><span style="color: rgb(242, 2, 2);"><span style="color: rgb(11, 4, 4);">Koshitsu Shinto   –**  is one of the oldest known branches of Shinto. It focuses on tradition and a methodical process of exercise and training. It focu  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">ses on the rites and rituals practiced by the emperor and clergy members, it is " refereed to in the Japanese constitution as 'the symbol of the state and the unity of the people' " (Casteele). <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> ** · Shrine Shinto –** is the oldest, most practiced and well known branch. Shrine worship is an ancient Japanese tradition. There are 80,000 shrines recognized by the Association of Shinto Shrines nationwide (Wikipedia). This   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">branch of Shinto focuses on the building of shrines for the multitude of Kami. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> · **Sect Shinto –** consists of 13 sects of Shinto worshipers formed in the 19th century when Shinto became the State religion of Japan. These sects were non-Buddhists and supported state Shinto teachings and therefore were able to keep their practices and convert to a Shinto Sect. There is no shrine worship involved in Sect ceremonies. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> ** · Folk Shinto –** Consists of many folk beliefs in deities and spirits. Practices come from ancient traditions passed down from generation to generation; including foretelling the future, spirit possession, and shamanic medicine (Wikipedia). <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> =<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> =<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> =<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: rgb(237, 2, 2);">Beliefs     = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Kami –** is a spiritual essence or soul, which can also be considered a “god”. According to Shinto beliefs every object living or nonliving has a kami and can be considered sacred or divine. This includes every tree, stone, elephant and waterfall. There is also a kami for a group of objects such as beetles. The beetle as an individual has a kami, but all beetles also have a kami that they are united under. **Ethics -** According to BBC.com "The overall aims of Shinto ethics are to promote harmony and purity in all shperes of life. Purity is not just spiritual purity but moral purity: having a pure and sincere heart". <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> =<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: rgb(228, 7, 7);">Practices     = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Praying to the deity or kami of a shrine is the most common Shinto practice; there are elaborate public shrines and most households have a small private shrine to which they can pray to. **Matsuri** - is a Japanese festival, to celebrate and increase the production of abundant rice and the spiritual and physical health of the community. The festival may occur over many days and involves worshiping the local Kami. It is performed by a procession of people carrying a //mikoshi// through the community so that the neighborhood may worship at the shrine. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Purification -** Purification rituals are extremely important in performing Shinto rituals as well in regards to the purity of the individual's soul. Purification rituals can be as simple as washing the hands and face with water before visiting a shrine or praying to a kami; or it can be as intricate as a mass purification. Oharae is a purification for a population of people; it can be the townspeople or a business. According to Wikipedia.com Japanese companies that have been expanded into other companies still perform a ground-breaking purification ceremony by a shinto priest. For example when a new Toyota dealership is established, it must be blessed and purified before business can begin.
 * Mikoshi – ** is a portable Shinto shrine used in the Matsuri festival. It is the miniature image of a building complete with pillars, a veranda and railing intricately decorated. The foundation stands on two or four long poles so that structure can be easily carried around the people.

Here is a "How to" video for visiting a shrine: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> media type="youtube" key="Abb3svZ7jR4" height="352" width="433"

==<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(222, 2, 2); text-align: center; display: block;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">      == ==<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(222, 2, 2);"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Buddhism      == <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(222, 2, 2);"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> 仏教 =<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="color: rgb(222, 2, 2);"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> What is Buddhism? = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Buddhism is the beliefs and practices based of the teachings of <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Gautama Siddhartha. The Buddha, (Siddhartha) is believed to an awakened being, he shared his beliefs that to end suffering, one must understand the true nature of the world and by awakening to the full knowledge of the universe would transcend the cycle of suffering and rebirth. According to BBC.com Buddhism is about personal spiritual development and does not involve the worship of Gods or deities.

=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: rgb(230, 5, 5);">The Origins of Buddhism     = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The origins of Buddhism began in India during the the 6th century BC with the life and teachings of the Buddha,<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Gautama Siddhartha. The teachings of Buddhism traveled along the silk road, from India, through China to Korea where it was then passed along by the King of the Korean Kingdom of Paekche to the Japanese Imperial Court.The exact date that Buddhism entered Japan is not yet agreed upon but it was believed to have been in the mid to late 6th century BC. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">

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=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: rgb(244, 6, 6);">Beliefs      <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Karma** - Karma is the positive and negative energy which fuels the cycle of suffering and rebirth. Whether a individual's energy (Karma) is positive or negative is based on the mental intent of their actions. There is either a consequence or benefit as the effect of every action. The energies disposition is based on the intent of the action and not its final outcome. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Samsara -** Samsara is the cycle of suffrage in life and rebirth. It is the Buddhist belief that individuals seek pleasure over pain and it is because of this mental state that they are trapped in a cycle of Samsara. Buddhists try to strive to transcend this mental state in order to break the cycle of suffering. **The Four Nobel Truths -** The Four Nobel Truths stem from the first teachings of Siddhartha. According to Wikipedia.com they are as follows: > <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Ethics -** Buddhist ethics are laid out in eight restrictions set by the Buddha to live a morally healthy life. The precepts are as follows: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> =<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="display: block; text-align: center; color: rgb(237, 7, 7);">Practices     = <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;"> **Meditation -** Zen Buddhism is the Chinese-Japanese Buddhist branch of meditation. Zen began in China in the 6th century but did not become significant in Japan until the 12th century. Zen has had a cultural influence on Japan as well, "Reaching far beyond the temple and entering into cultural and social areas of all kinds, including gardening, ink painting, calligraphy, the tea ceremony, and even military strategies" (Rutherford). The meditation is a physical and mental state of being that allows a person to separate themselves from their thoughts to achieve a state of ultimate calmness (BBC)    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;">    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;"> **Mantras -** are sacred sounds that are believed to have protective powers. Mantras are used for protection from evil as well as to call upon deities. The practice of writing Mantras became highly distinguished in Japan. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;">     <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;">      <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;">      <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;"> **Mudras -** Mudras are sacred symbolic hand gestures commonly portrayed by the Buddha in statues and figurines. According to ReligionFacts.com the five most common Mudras are:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">"Life as we know it ultimately is or leads to suffering in one way or another.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Suffering is caused by craving or attachments to worldly pleasures of all kinds. This is often expressed as a deluded clinging to a certain sense of existence, to selfhood, or to the things or people that we consider the cause of happiness or unhappiness.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Suffering ends when craving ends, when one is freed from desire. This is achieved by eliminating all delusion, thereby reaching a liberated state of Enlightenment
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Reaching this liberated state is achieved by following the path laid out by the Buddha."
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;"> Abstain from violence and murder
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Abstain from stealing, taking what has not been given
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Abstain from sensual behavior
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Abstain from telling lies
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Abstain from intoxicants such as drugs and alcohol
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Abstain from eating at inappropriate hours (before sunrise and after noon)
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Abstain from frivolity; dancing, music, jewelry
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">  <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Abstain from the comfort and use of high seats and bedding.

Commonly seen on standing Buddhas to represent fearlessnes    <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;">     <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">   <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;">and protection. **Bhumisparsha -** This is believed to be the Mudra used by Gautama Buddha when he achieved enlightenment. It symbolizes the "earth witness"      <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; text-align: left; display: block;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Dhyana -** The symbolic pose usually used in meditation. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **Varada -** is the open palmed symbol of gift giving.
 * - Abhaya**
 * - Dharmachakra** <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> [[image:dhyana-mudra.gif align="right"]] <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Represents the Buddhas teachings of "wheel turning".

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Life in a Zen Buddhist monastery in Japan <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> media type="youtube" key="m6phWF9cwAQ" height="344" width="425" <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">

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Religion Works Cited: <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Buddhism." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. 5 Dec 2008, 03:03 UTC. 5 Dec 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buddhism&oldid=255971244>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Buddhism Practices." __ReligionFacts.__ 1 January 2007. ReligionFacts. 28 November 2008 <http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/holidays.htm>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">  <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Casteele, John. “Religion: forms of Shinto.” 2002.Pagewise. 15 Nov. 2008 < <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/religionformss_twqt.htm>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Matsuri." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. 18 Feb 2007, 20:57 UTC. 14 Nov 2008 < http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matsuri&oldid=109142788 >. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Mikoshi." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. 16 Sep 2008, 01:03 UTC. 14 Nov 2008 < http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mikoshi&oldid=238709340 >. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Modern Religion in Japan.” 2008. Facts about Japan. 14 Nov. 2008 < http://facts-about-japan.com/modern-religion.html .> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Religion & Ethics – Shinto.” 2004. BBC. 14 Nov. 2008 < http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/ > <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rutherford, Scott (ed.) //East Asia//. London: Apa Publications (1998); pg. 285. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Shimazono, Susumu. "State Shinto and the Religious Structure of Modern Japan." __Journal of the American Academy of Religion__ 73.4 (Dec. 2005): 1077-1098. __Academic Search Premier__. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 13 Nov. 2008 <http://libproxy.sdsu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.sdsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=21367741&site=ehost-live>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Shinto." //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. 14 Nov 2008, 00:28 UTC. 14 Nov 2008 < http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinto&oldid=251669525 >.

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