Buddhism and Shinto Explained: A Complicated History 

Watch Shinto: Episode 1 here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qlKeVY_FsVg.html

This has become one of my favorite informative channels on RU-vid

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

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

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.

It's a good day when religionforbreakfast uploads 🤗

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

The kami has you in this world and the Buddha has you in the next

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.

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

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

So you're saying they're different But the same But different But the same

It's interesting how those historical stages similar to what happened in Tibet with Buddhism and local beliefs, the only difference being that they absolutely merged together, now Bon being basicly a branch of Buddhism.

I’m thrilled you’re doing this series

The upload time is usually morning in my timezone and so I watch this everytime I eat breakfast.

Well.....this 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!

Prince Shōtoku, early proponent of Buddhism and instrumental in the defeat of the Mononobe Clan. Main article: Honji suijaku Main article: Shinbutsu kakuri

Interesting and concise overview of the complex relationship of Buddhism and Shinto. Very good.

"Which is your religion shinto or buddhism?" Japanese: Yes

I learn so much from you! Thank you for sharing your education with us all!

And then I was like Bro, do you even religious studies?

Japan is a tri-faith nation. You’re Shinto when you’re young, but many people have a Christian wedding and celebrate Christmas, and it’s common to study Buddhist ideas especially in older age. When you have three different religious structures that don’t often conflict with each other co-existing in the same region, you get some really interesting results that really challenge our western perspective on what faith can be

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

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

Excellent! Really precise and correct pronunciation of the various terms as well!

Love your videos man, truly fascinating stuff!

Can you do one on Mormonism? Especially the folk magic practices in early mormonism.

This relationship between Shinto and Buddhism reminds me of the dynamics between paganism and christianity but with different outcome. Many holidays within christianity are just changed pagan traditions, incorporated and assimilated over time.

that was intense. Incredible work!

I'm an atheist but with this channel i became more respectful for other religions. Great content.

In Nepal, in the Newar community it is common to see buddha and hindu shrines in the same temple. The religions have merged and live in harmony.

Loving this Shinto series!

Fascinating as always!

This series is great!

Really interesting video! That said, I think you maybe should’ve mentioned the fact that prior to shinbutsu-bunri, most major shrines (except for Ise grand shrine) had a temple in the shrine complex or in conjunction with it, and most temples had a shrine to their patron kami. More importantly, during shinbutsu-bunri, only shrine temples were attacked, so that today, almost no shrines have their original temple intact, but most temples still have their shrines. You made it pretty clear in the video that shinbutsu-bunri was really more of an attack on buddhism than a separation, but this fact really illustrates that and shows its modern consequences. It’s made me happy to hear that some shrines have started restoring and reopening their temples, but I’m pretty sure it’s still quite a small movement. This is a really complex topic, and I realize that the video would’ve been fifty hours long if you had included everything worth mentioning, but I think you managed to do a really good job within a reasonable amount of time. This is probably the best introduction to the relation between buddhism and shinto on the internet.

Good videos. I heard there were rivalries between Taoism, Confusianism, and Buddhism in China in the past similar to rivalries between Buddhism and Shinto.

Gotta say your shelf is magnificent

Phenomenal content! I can't congratulate you enough

good video ! waiting for episode 3 , thanks ;)

Will you please make a video on Japanese versions of Hindu Gods and Godesses. How did the Hindu Gods and Godesses reached Japan and how did their names changed. 🙏🤔

7:30 Now THAT is hat! 👏😮

Thanks, enjoyed & learned 😊

Concentrated discussion. Will subscribe and hope for more.

Excellent, I have lived in Japan for many years.

Hi Dr Andrew, I’d like to see a video about the Bon religion of Tibet or your introspection of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism! Love your works!

You could make series about people who live for religion, not just as believers but as priests, monks, nuns, pastors and any other denomination within religions

Nichiren Buddhism seems to be quite a wonderful gift to humanity. Tibet seems to be the origination of the metamorphosis of Bon to Buddhism proper and it would be a fascinating thing to learn your take on the comparison of Bon to Tibetan Buddhism in its many forms. Thanks

Nice work

Sudden cut at the end to a fresh haircut. Really interesting to learn this bit of history and the dynamic between the two belief systems!

0:14 This in itself is a reflection of our Judeo-Christian background. Most Westerners are used to our expansionist, exclusionary religious tradition, which only accepts the own system of beliefs as valid and therefore no statistic of religious affiliation should admit anything larger than 100%. It has not always been this way in most of the world and just by considering this fact, it should come as no surprise that Buddhism and Shinto can coexist in a country, a community or even a person.

Wonderful, I became a Zen Buddhist about 15 yrs ago. I joined because my autistic son took an interest in religion. I still meditate but haven't visited my local temple since we moved 7 years ago. It's not liken it was compulsory anyway.

Coming here from 'Kings and Generals' Iko Ikko Sohei monks video.

Pro-tip: *don't describe a Buddhist prayer-space as an "altar"* That implies a place of (animal) sacrifice and the Tathagata spoke out against such practices. Hence, they should be referred to as "shrines," and it's safer to call all Eastern religion points of veneration "shrines."

Watching from India!! Great video!!🙏🙏

Great video

This is really fascinating. It makes sense that these religions serve people in a variety of ways ⛩️🌞

There’s a sequence in the Chinese classic Journey to the West in which the Emperor has a debate over whether Buddhism is contrary to Confucian values-like the Japanese emperor you mention, he wonders if he can endorse Buddhism as consonant with Chinese ideology

I love this video + your channel name. I'm so glad I found your channel this is the first I've ever seen, I hope you have videos about the German Anglo-Saxon religion/spiritual beliefs. Shintoism is so beautiful I started my Spiritual Path after growing up an studying Christianity with Shintoism, I cant wait to watch your video an learn more about it an your other videos about stuff I dont know may have missed or just like to relearn to information. I thought my Journey was going to end with Shibtoism an I would of loved to of been a Miko, but I ended up reading about a few Native American tribes, an then just moved on to learning about Norse, Celtic, Hindu, Taoism, Buddhism, I know how to move body with Qi Gong more than Qi Chi, Reiki, Kabbalah, old Egyptian, Vedic of Hinduism, the energy part of the Kamasutra, Voodoo and Hoodoo (more Haitian than Lousiana where my father's blood is from) I'm new to learning Obeah, a west African magick an Babalawo (Jamaican). I also was manly into after learning about Native American tribes an wanted something more stable for myself Wicca with their many different branches an mythologies an practices, I also got into studying more about Judaism beyond Kabbalah, Sacred Geometry an into more mythology an also the more orthodox and modern ways of the Jewish beliefs an traditions, along with opening up to learning more about Islam (I'd like to know more about the mythologies in their countries before islam ruled them an their practices), Christianity/Catholicism (I know they're different but I view them the same) Satanism and Luciferianism. I know I've learned an enjoyed practicing more beliefs and beliefs I'd like to look more into an learn ones I know NOTHING about an learn about their history an how it has influenced their Native land an around the world. I cant remember all the ones I know an want to know because it's 8am (which I dont see Satanism an Luciferianism as the same thing since most Satanist are Atheists, which I dont have a problem with I believe in Evolution, but I actually *now* More so Worship Satanic Deities now including Satan, Lucifer, Lilith, Baphomet, Azrael, Leviathan, ect.)

Great channel! I would love to see information about how Goshuin came about, and how it ended up being something provided by both Buddhist and Shinto religious locations.

Could you do a video on Japan trying to keep Christianity out? Or also the isolation period in general?

The Japanese assertion of their own culture is so virile it commands respect. Kami worship persisting there is directly due to this spirit of independence and differentiation

I love this channel. Have you done, or will you do and episode on Zen Buddhism?

thank you

As a Buddhist I respect every religion and that includes that even includes shintos all religions are OK as long as you respect other people

Thanks you so much. Maybe one day you can make a video about the evil eye?

Please do a video on Taoism and Buddhism!

Yet to come across a RU-vid video talking about the OG Indian Buddhism. From what I have read, Indian Buddhism and eastern Buddhism have jarring differences. Would love if you could cover that.

I love Japan, so I love this as well!

👍 good video

Very similar to what is in Sri Lanka - except there is no name for that - but separate temples and mixed temples, and some Buddhist temples opposing any pagan connection. The line there is much blurred than in Japan.

I knew there was some syncretism but I never knew there was so much conflict.

Thanks for this series! I’ve ordered my copy of Zen at War by Victoria and am looking at reading it this winter. Have you read it?

I think you need to talk about Confucianism influences on Japan. It’s part of this story too.

You should do a video on Zen Buddhism

Thank you ⚪💛

thanks, it was always a bit confusing about who was what and why in japan

Thank you for this very informative & visually engaging video. Interesting how the original teachings of Gautama Buddha were never about the after life - the Pali canon is very clear on this. As with the original teachings of Jesus, people created beliefs & rituals that are far from the intentions of the religions namesake. Buddha’s primary teaching of Paticcasamuppada (Dependent Origination) is actually the same teaching that Jesus presents in the Gospel of Thomas (Thomas 7) - this is explained on my channel.

Was that an Ad? I didn't know RU-vid did ads on Religion for Breakfast.

I was a little surprised to see things like Shinto shrines in Buddhist temples when I was in Kyoto.

Plz do rinzai, soto, and obaku zen school

Please do a video on orgin of sanadana dharmam and it's impact on South Indian local gods.

I think you shoud have focused more on the number 8 and infinity. In discussing the symbolic importance of the number "8" in Shintoism, seen in concepts like 八百万の神 (Yaoyorozu no Kami), 八咫烏 (Yatagarasu), and 八岐大蛇 (Yamata no Orochi), it's crucial to recognize its association with infinity and its significance in Eastern philosophy. The Kanji form of "8"、八 suggests openness and infinity, a notion originating from China. And the number "8" in it's written form, originated in India and Hinduism, on its sideways symbolizes infinity, blending mathematical, spiritual, and existential meanings. A foundational argument in Shintoism is that if gods are infinite, they don’t start with an ‘A’ and end with a ‘Z’; there are no boundaries to what can or cannot be considered divine. This logic suggests that humans, stones, or even the bones of dead fish cannot definitively be said to lack divinity, reflecting a belief system without strict separations between the sacred and the mundane. Following this, the notion of 八百万の神, while often translated as “eight million gods,” more fittingly expresses an endless pantheon, showcasing the infinite diversity within Shinto spirituality. Similarly, 八岐大蛇 isn’t just a mythical serpent but represents the complex and boundless nature of evil, mirroring the concept of infinite malevolence in various religious narratives. This emphasis on infinity is central not only to Shintoism but also to Buddhism and other non-Abrahamic religions, underscoring a global endeavor to understand the infinite facets of existence and divinity. Philosophical explorations, like those by Spinoza, further illuminate this perspective, proposing that divinity permeates all aspects of the natural world, from the mundane to the extraordinary. The term “god” might not adequately convey the breadth of what “Kami” means in Shintoism, which refers to a broad spectrum of divine spirits or essences, distinct from the monotheistic interpretations prevalent in Western traditions. Therefore, adopting “Kami” rather than “god” offers a more precise and respectful understanding of the profound spirituality embedded in these Eastern traditions.

Will you do a video on what is going on in France

Are there going to be more Shinto videos?

I was under the impression that Buddhism is a method and/or a way of practice but not necessarily a religion, per se. Can you explain what makes it a religion in either the technical or practical sense and also why many scholars take the position that it is not a religion? Thank you.

I also commented on episode 1. I've lived in Japan, on and off, for about two and a half decades now. Both episode 1, on Shinto, and this one are good. I would say that you quickly skipped over the politically motivated separation of the two religions that started in Meiji (or became mainstream in Meiji) and then picked up quickly during the early Showa era (prior to WWII), when Japanese nationalism was intent on distancing Japanese culture from Chinese and Korean influence. Also, as you mention, Buddhism was initially introduced by Koreans, but this is not well recognized in Japan, where people think that it was initially introduced by Chinese monks. In addition, you could point out that even in some major Buddhist temples, you can find Shinto shrines, such as in Kiyosumi-Dera in Kyoto. I really liked the bit about Hachiman and am hoping that you'll have more to say about him, because where I live in Tokyo is within the official precincts of a major Hachiman shrine. Finally, the full saying is that Japanese are born Shinto, marry Christian, and die Buddhist, which reflects the major division of business between the different religions. (Buddhism and Shinto both offer marriage services, but Christian marriage is the most popular. Ironically, or perhaps just interestingly, Japanese law doesn't recognize religious ceremonies for marriage as binding, so whether or not you have a religious service, you need to submit the proper documents to the local government office yourself.)

I am interested in any influence that Zoroastrianiism had on Judaism during their captivity in Babylon. Do you have pland to do an episode on that?

Can you do one on indigenous Korean religion Shindo. Thanks...

This is an informative video, but at the heart of the story, these two religions share a simple truth. Buddhism answers some questions. Other religions, including Shinto, answer other questions. There is no material conflict. That is why there are Buddhist Jews, Buddhist Catholics, Buddhist Atheists -- and Buddhist Shintoists.

Isn't there a similar situation with Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal?

Most temples in Japan have a shrine area, and most shrines may have a small temple area. It's pretty interesting

Is there an episode 3 already? And are there any videos on Taoism?