#sect shinto

1. Shrine Shinto 神社神道

"...Despite its long tradition of worshiping kami, Shrine Shinto is not religion founded or organized by particular spiritual leader. Each shrine has its own historical background which led to its establishment. Shrine Shinto has no fixed doctrine or holy scripture."

2. Imperial House (Kōshitsu) Shinto 皇室神道

"Imperial House (Kōshitsu) Shinto is a name given to the Shinto rituals observed by the Emperor who expresses his sincere gratitude to Amaterasu Ōmikami and other ancestral Kami as well as to myriad other kami, praying for the eternal continuity and prosperity of the State, for the happiness of the people, and for peace in the world.  Many rituals in Imperial House Shinto are observed by the Emperor himself as well as by Imperial Shinto priests (shōten 掌典) and shrine maidens (nai-shōten 内掌典) in the presence of the Imperial Family in the Imperial Palace."

3. Sectarian Shinto 教派神道

"...born as a new type of Shinto diverging from Shrine Shinto in reaction to the religious policy of the Meiji government... Unlike Shrine Shinto, which was formed naturally in the long history of Japan and does not have any specific founder or fixed dogma, Sectarian Shinto has founders and original dogma."

4. Folk Shinto 民俗神道

"Folk Shinto is a Shinto faith which has been customarily practiced by the common people without being systematised.  For example: the members of an agricultural community themselves perform a rite by playing the role of a Shinto priest in rotation for the kami of the locality... Folk Shinto is closely related to the Shrine Shinto."

Notes from the Supplementary Text: Visit to a Shrine or a Temple at the Beginning of the Year in Metropolitan Areas

Meiji Jingū gets more than 3 million people in the first 3 days of January 

Traditionally you visit the tutelary kami for your local community during the New Year, but due to rural→urban migration they now visit famous shrines and temples. 

Hi, this is my friendly reminder that Tenchi Kane no Kamisama is not all-powerful /omnipotent, does not control everything, nor do they set destinies for people, make people suffer as a test, or control other peoples free wills.

In fact, to believe that is to believe the very opposite of who Tenchi Kane no Kami is. They are the energy of nature, they are the energy of the universe. Everything in nature is interdependent, and thus reflecting, so is Tenchi Kane no Kami.

They need our help, they need people's help, which is what the core teaching, Aiyo Kakeyo, is all about. Kamisama needs us as much as we need Kamisama. Help ourselves, and help each other in the world. Suffering happens for various reasons and its awful, but Kamisama does not inflict it and wants to help us through it and alleivate it at all costs. This is also the whole point of Konko faith and toritsugi mediation. To alleivate suffering and help people.

Its about finding the light, finding the good and the blessings *despite* a bad situation - not trying to forcibly mentally twist a bad situation into something good, or let alone saying it was Kamisamas plan.

In the first place, why would Kamisama plan to make someone suffer if their whole goal is to end suffering and see the happiness of people?

It doesnt make sense. In the gorikais, the stories of Tenchi Kane no Kamisama, they are crying as well seeing people suffer. The last thing they want is to make others suffer on purpose, let alone plan it.

If someone says such a thing, dont believe such an ignorant saying. Whoever says that needs to go back to the basics and really understand Kamisama, since they dont know anything at all.

(1) The New Development of Shinto

“…between the establishment of the Meiji government in 1868… and the end of World War II in 1945… great significance to Shinto. On one hand, Shinto was reevaluated by the new national government and its status heightened by government policy… considered essential in the modernisation process to form and defend the national identity while coping with the influx of Christianity and Western culture caused by the introduction of Western political and economic systems. On the other hand… under the administration of the government… Shinto shrines were not religious entities… concentrated solely on performing rituals, avoiding dogma and the enlightenment of the people.”

Emperor = connection between world of ancestral kami and tangible world

Shinto status became socio-political

Shimbara Revolt by Christians in 1637 led to forced registration at local Buddhist temples, even Shinto priests had to also accept Buddhist funerals (later they were allowed to hold Shinto style ones for themselves and their heirs)

The Kokugaku idea of Shinto being the only religion in Japan pre-Buddhism, heavily influenced Meiji era policies

(2) The Transformation of Shinto into “Non-Religious” State Shinto

In order to appeal to foreign relations, the government was required to allow religious freedom, but claimed that Shinto shrines were not religious so they could intervene in their actions

Status of priests seemed to rise, in reality they were merely there to perform rituals and festivals with no ability to expand the theology, thus Shinto did not explain its teachings and dogma to the public

New very important shrines were built on descriptions in Nihon shoki & Kojiki: Kashihara Jingū (1890) enshrining Emperor Jinmu & Empress Hime-tataraisuzu-Hime, Yoshino Jingū (1889) for Emeperor Godaigo, and Heian Jingū (1895) for Emperor Kanmu & Emperor Kōmei, and so on

Yasukuni Shrine, despite common belief was originally established to enshrine the souls of soldiers who had died in civil wars, not just World War II war dead.

Gokoku Jinja are the shrines that were established in each prefecture to enshrine the war dead from the prefecture

“It is true that the essence of Shinto can be observed in its rituals and festivals which make people feel and think about the world of kami. Moreover, since the Japanese are a homogenous people, they easily understand Shinto, their indigenous “religion,” without the need for dogmatic explanations. These characteristics also made Shinto less religious and more ceremonial.”

(3) The Birth of Sectarian Shinto

“Some Shintoists with religious zeal for the propagation fo Shinto and the enlightenment of the people became dissatisfied with the “non-religious” policy of the government, and began to advocate the original dogmas and theology based on traditional Shinto. In the end. 13 sects called Sectarian Shinto (Kyōha Shintō 教派神道) were founded.⑳ Although they worshipped the traditional kami of heaven and earth and performed rituals similar to those of the traditional Shinto (Shrine Shinto), they often revered their own kami, a characteristic practice which continues to this date. These sects were treated by the government as normal religious organisations in the same way as were Buddhist temples and Christian churches.”

Todays the day! Shuuki Reitaisai (Autumn Grand Ceremony)! today at 1:30!!

Its for Autumn but we were gifted with sunny blue skies and 20°C / 68°F weather! 🌼🌻🍁☀️

“Kami-yo” in “nin-yo” By Reverend Shinkichi Kawai

“Now we are asked to live our lives with a “true and sincere faith” as our Founder taught. Amid in the society of the progressive worldwide secularization, we have to live “Kami’s Way” in our daily lives.

In Oboecho (Record of Revelations), the following revelation was written in 1880: Kami-Sama revealed,

  “Right now the world is human-centered. All things are done by people’s own power, and many people are going against the teachings of the universe. Those who follow my teachings shall become connected to kami, and thus a living kami themselves. Long ago, it was a Kami-centered world. Now it is a human-centered world. Because of this, I shall teach people to return to a Kami-centered world. Difficulty and suffering are caused by people’s own hearts. Whether or not they can live a peaceful world also depends on their own hearts.” As stated, we are living in “nin-yo (human-centered world). And many people live confused, hurt, and suffer from various hardships. “The True Way of Faith” which is “the Way of Kami and people” was opened in this “ninyo,” and the world of inochi (life) to be helped will be born continuously. Therefore, “Kami-yo (Kami-centered world)” should be realized in “nin-yo” within Konkokyo, Konko hiromae, and believers’ home.

What kind of world is it that the inochi life can be helped? The inochi life does not mean an individual life nor biological life. This is the whole life that flows continuously from ancestors to descendants. It is the life that pass through the past, present and future. 

Through a continuation of practicing “the True Way of Faith,” we are able to live our lives receiving the divine blessings in any situations. In any moment, we can walk such “the Way of Kami and people.” When our lives were tuned in by Kami-Sama, our ancestors and descendants who related to our lives are also saved at the same time. In this way, the way to receive blessings is open.

The world of secularization continuously cut deep into our lives. Now, it is the time bringing light of “Kami-yo” into right in the middle of “nin-yo” through our faith. Let us seek and practice true faith.

Seek, convey and support “true and sincere faith, and nurture, enrich, broaden and deepen the true and sincere faith

When we consider the Konkokyo as a practical “way” rather than an organized religion, we could describe our “way” as a “Way of Faith.” Our Founder taught, “Practice a sincere faith.” Therefore, the network of “care” should be brought out so that we could understand how to enrich, broaden and deepen the true and sincere faith.

Let us take “Toritsugi” as an example. “Toritsugi” consists of place for mediation, mediator, and the art of toritsugi. “Teachings” and faith stories are also important.Services and etiquettes are essential. There are all kinds of actors to nurture our faiths.

The Konkokyo faith has been enriched by a tradition that could nurture each individual faith. Therefore, our faith has been nurtured through tradition. For example, this tradition has been nurtured by a long history of Konko Church of Amagi, which is still alive in Hawaii. In the same way, varieties of faith from traditions exist in Konkokyo.

Our current mission is to create better conditions for each individual faith, so the faith will be nurtured and enriched.

Great news from Konkokyo!! Message below from the Konkokyo Honolulu Kyokai!!! I am so happy I teared up!! It is so validating and I am so proud to be apart of Konkokyo😭

“金光教LGBT会の承認

平成三十年二月十五日に教務総長により金光教LGBT会は各種団体を承認されました。

Aloha e everyone:

On behalf of Reverend Masayuki Inoue, I wanted to share with all of you wonderful news.

On February 15, 2018 (February 14, 2018 - USA time - how apropos ), the Konkōkyō LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender) Kai received official recognition (Kakushū Dantai) from Konkōkyō Headquarters.

What makes this historic is this makes Konkōkyō the first religion in the Kyōha Shintō Renmei (Association of Sectarian Shintō Religions), and possibly one of the few religions in Japan, to recognize the LGBT community and to have a group dedicated to the understanding, protecting, and helping of LGBT individuals, as well as helping ministers and believers to learn more, understand, and embrace differences.

From the acceptance of Reverend Hisada’s (first open transgender minister in Konkōkyō - FTM) name change to giving Kakushū Dantai (official recognition) status to the Konkōkyō LGBT Kai, Reverend Inoue is very grateful that the present Konkōkyō Headquarter’s administration is truly looking at equity and understanding in our faith (and not just in regards to LGBTQ+ matters).

There are many trailblazers and supporters to give appreciation to, who helped make this possible: Konko Church of Amagasaki, Honolulu, Izuo, Kami Kitazawa, San Francisco, Tokiwadai, Vancouver, Wahiawa, and Whittier-Rose Hill just to name a few.

Reverend Inoue would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support. We look forward to the Konkōkyō LGBT Kai’s future activities. If you have any questions, you may send them to the administrators of this page* [*on Facebook, send me a private ask or message on tumblr if you would like the link,or you can search on Facebook] and we will do our best to respond to them.