How did shinto and buddhism meet different religion needs”?
In very, very general terms…. Shinto, the native Japanese shaman tradition, focuses on: – Family traditions, especially birth and marriage – Connection with nature – Personal cleanliness – Festivals associated with the “kami” or spirits (both local and national) These four practice areas provide a sense of national identity and interrelationship to Japanese people, even for those who don’t consider themselves Shintoists. Buddhism came to Japan from China and Korea around 550 C.E. There are four major Buddhist traditions in Japan (Pure Land, Zen, Nichiren, Shingon) and each differs significantly in orientation and practice. For this reason, it is hard to speak uniformly about how each meets different religious needs. In general, all Buddhist traditions emphasize techniques that help practitioners perceive the causes of suffering and gain freedom from that suffering. It’s worth noting that aspects of Shintoism and Buddhism, along with Taoism, are frequently blended together in the dail
