The Essence of Shinto by Yamakage, Motohisa -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Preface

Caring for the spirit of nature

Chapter 1: Shinto for the New Millennium

Times are changing A wake-up call to the Shinto establishment Revival of original Shinto Exchange and co-existence among religions The idea of child-spirit (bunrei) Reverence toward nature Variety of religious perception The flexibility and tolerance of Shinto

Chapter 2: What is Shinto?

Shinto is a religion unique to the Japanese people Shinto has no founder Shinto has no doctrines Shinto has no precepts or commandments Shinto has no idols Shinto has no organization The tragedy of “not-having-any” Japanese atheists and faithless Japanese Characteristics of Shinto What is koshinto (ancient Shinto)?

Chapter 3: What is Jinja?

No need for a “building” Kannabi, iwasaka, himorogi The mystery of iwakura—rock seat After the spirit of Kami descends a place becomes jinja The proper attitude of mind for welcoming Kami Why jinja avoids kegare (impurity or uncleanness) Opening the path to Kami The domain for the lower-level spirits What is the household shrine (kamidana)?

Chapter 4: The Idea of Misogi

Four types of purification (seimei seichoku) Misogi is the cornerstone of Shinto Misogi was originally practiced in the ocean The conceptual level of misogi Purifying materials Cutting off contact with unclean spirits Keeping our thinking “clean and bright”

Chapter 5: The Idea of Harai

What is harai? Harai with heaven or celestial cleansing The mystery of the great purifying words (oharai no kotoba) The great incantation (daijinju) of Yamakage Shinto Harai of the spirit of sounds (otodama) Harai with earth and salt Harai with human beings What is kegare? Human beings have the potential to become Kami The idea of musubi

Chapter 6: Koshinto: Theory of One Spirit, Four Souls

The philosophy of one spirit, four souls (ichirei shikon) The great spirit of the universe of the great circle Systematic table of ichirei shikon The function of shikon The spiritual structure of human beings Death and the theory of four souls

Chapter 7: Koshinto: View of the “Other World”

Chapter 8: The Systematic Training Method of Chinkon

The Kami within Living in the flow of eternity The meaning of chinkon The sequential order of chinkon The awakening of the soul (furutama) The breathing method How to get rid of worldly thoughts Beginning with “one thought, one mind” Various realms The secret knowledge of Yamakage Shinto Seeking the clean and bright heart/mind What are the characteristics of persons experiencing the deep realm? The path to service What is prayer? Prayer as a dedication of gratitude toward Kami Sincere wishes are truly realized What to do when you visit a shrine to pay respect to Kami? Prayer is chinkon Looking steadily into your inner mind is chinkon

Afterword Notes Appendix I

The many names of Kami The hierarchy of Kami Polytheism and monotheism

Appendix II

Practice of chinkon at Yamakage Shinto training center Misogi harai no kotoba Oharai no kotoba Daijinju and ajimarikan Ama no kazoeuta Dedication of gratitude toward Kami

Additional Terms Biographical Notes

Motohisa Yamakage Mineko Shinmura Gillespie & Gerald L. Gillespie Yoshitsugu Komuro Paul de Leeuw Aidan Rankin