WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -The word Shintō, which literally means “the way of kami” (generally sacred or divine power, specifically the various gods or deities), came into use in order to distinguish indigenous Japanese beliefs from Buddhism, which had been introduced into Japan in the 6th century ce.

Detailed explanation-2: -Shinto (literally “the way of the gods”) is Japan’s native belief system and predates historical records.

Detailed explanation-3: -The term kami is often translated as “god, ‘’ “lord, ‘’ or “deity, ‘’ but it also includes other forces of nature, both good and evil, which, because of their superiority or divinity, become objects of reverence and respect.

Detailed explanation-4: -It should be noted that the concept of Shinto (the way of kami) itself was developed only after Buddhism had been introduced in order to identify the indigenous Japanese religious system.

Detailed explanation-5: -’the Way of the Gods’) was a term already used in the Yijing referring to the divine order of nature. Around the time of the spread of Buddhism in the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), it was used to distinguish indigenous Chinese religions from the imported religion.