Buddhism and Shinto Explained: A Complicated History

REFERENCES:
Mark Teeuwen and Fabio Rambelli’s 2003 book “Buddhas and Kami in Japan: Honji Suijaku as a Combinatory Paradigm”

Helen Hardacre’s 2016 book “Shinto: A History”

Kuroda Toshio’s 1981 article “Shinto in the History of Japanese Religion” in Journal of Japanese Religions, vol. 7, no. 1

Ian Reader and George Tanabe Jr.’s 1998 book “Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan”

Ana Andreeva’s 2017 book “Assembling Shinto: Buddhist Approaches to Kami Worship in Medieval Japan”

PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS:
Asuka dera Prince Shotoku, Chris 73, Wikimedia Commons

Hachiman statue, Ihimutefu, Wikimedia Commons

Onin War Scene 3 image, Docsubster, Wikipmedia Commons

Buddha statue, Hemuta999, Wikimedia Commons

Ise shrine Torii, N yotarou, Wikimedia Commons

[Maxr]

This has become one of my favorite informative channels on YouTube

[SanityVideo]

Buddhism has a tendency of mixing with local religion. Most kinds of buddhism are buddhism plus a previous local religion. In places like tibet there are a lot of layers of added tradition and I refuse to see that as some kind of corruption of an original fundamentalist ideal. Peoples needs are always changing and religion works better when it doesn't try to hammer people into a mold.

[lilsaam]

It's a good day when religionforbreakfast uploads 🤗

[nickp]

You’re really out here being brilliant and prolific. PLEASE keep this up. Your upload rate right now is perfect and the content is wonderful.

[lshulman]

This combining of traditions in japan reminds me of how Catholic and African traditions combined in the Carribean to create Voodoo (though this became a more distinctive religion than any buddhist-shinto combination in Japan). Still, with Voodoo we see the Catholic saints associated with the Loa spirits of Voodoo much the way Buddhist bodhisattva were identified with shinto kami.

[Emymagdalena]

I know we’re doing Shintoism right now but I’d love a video on the divergence of Indian Buddhism and East Asian Buddhism

[robertodecarvalho]

Buddhism and Shintoism were manipulated according to the interests of the Japanese ruling classes. The Nichiren sect was supported by its patriotism, the Zen sect had enormous appeal to warriors of the Kamakura period for its characteristic of full obedience to Zen masters, etc

[demianchoi]

Would you mind going over traditional Korean Shamanism and it’s comparison with Mongolian, Chinese, and Japanese shamans? I’ve found them very unique, though information on them is pretty scarce.

[omarcillo]

It's interesting, this reminds me of a friend, long time ago we spoke about different religions, he was baptized catholic, converted to buddhism, and not too long ago converted back to catholicism. I once asked him what buddhism was, can't remember his answer but this @religionforbreakfast reminded me of how some people's needs can be unsatisfied by one faith but enriched by another.

[werewook]

Good video but I feel like you should have more clearly explained that Buddhism has multiple Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and other beings since many people erroneously assume there is only one figure, being "the Buddha". Also probably should have mentioned that Buddhism has gods in the form of devas (天部 tenbu), which made syncretism with kami quite easy.

[reveranttangent]

In old China, you went to
Confusian for ethics
Taoists for health and
Buddhists for grief.

[elaiej]

I think 'chinese folk religion' could be an interesting topic too, kinda like that happened with shinto and buddhism in japan. And as an off-shoot of that, you could also look at 'na tuk kong'/datuk keramat as a blend of indigenous southeast asian elements with chinese folk religion.

[themugwump]

When are we going to get the video “religious scholar reacts to anime about Jesus and Buddha as roommates”????

[goblinsdammit]

I've lived in Japan my whole life but didn't know a lot of this stuff. Mindblowing! Thanks for this.

[danachos]

It is so interesting to see your hairstyle change over the course of this channel. I really enjoy seeing all your different looks, and I am curious how long that beard can grow to! Big pulling off of that nerdy, hot Jesus vibe!
edit: and this series is seriously great! Thank you for doing this and putting in this work. It really shows how much you are passionate and care

[merrittanimation]

"Born Shinto and die Buddhist" is an interesting dichotomy to me.

[theMoporter]

"Well, some say people in Japan are born Shinto and die Buddhist."
You forgot "married Christian" (getting married in a church)!

[themaximus]

I didn't know how little I knew about japanese religion until I watched this video. Superb job.

[kmlammto]

When I was in Japan in the early 90’s the saying was the Japanese were 90% Shinto, 80% Buddhist and 50% Christian. The explanation was Christian celebrate births and weddings, Shintos celebrate life and Buddhists were reborn.

[DerMessiasderSatire]

is interesting. I've been studying this history and religions for years now, but I'm sure I can still learn. Excited for this. Thanks, RfB!