Shinto’s Open Heart: Exploring the Polytheistic Tolerance of Japan
When travelers first step through a vermilion torii gate, they leave the mundane world behind and enter a sacred space. Yet, just down the street, they might find a solemn Buddhist temple or a bustling Christmas market. To the Western observer, accustomed to monotheistic exclusivity, this religious landscape can be baffling. How does one nation embrace so many different beliefs simultaneously?
The answer lies in the ancient and enduring spirit of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous spirituality. Unlike religions that demand exclusive allegiance, Shinto is defined by a profound polytheistic tolerance. It is a faith without dogmatic scriptures or a single founder, rooted instead in the acceptance that the divine resides in all things. For the cultural traveler, understanding this tolerance is the key to unlocking the true heart of Japan.
Origins: The Eight Million Gods
To understand Shinto’s tolerance, one must first look at its foundational worldview. Shinto is essentially a form of animism. The central concept is Yaoyorozu no Kami, literally translating to “eight million gods.” However, “eight million” is not a literal count but a metaphor for infinity.
In the Shinto worldview, kami (spirits or gods) inhabit everything in nature: mountains, waterfalls, majestic trees, rocks, and even the wind. Because the divine is dispersed everywhere rather than concentrated in a single, jealous creator, there is no monopoly on truth. If a mountain can be a god, and an ancestor can become a god, the arrival of a new deity from a foreign land is not seen as a threat, but simply as an addition to the already infinite pantheon. This inherent flexibility allowed early Japanese society to absorb new ideas without abandoning their roots.
Legend: The Great Synchronization
The greatest test of Shinto’s tolerance occurred in the 6th century when Buddhism arrived in Japan from the Asian continent via Korea. In many parts of the world, the introduction of a new, sophisticated theology led to the eradication of indigenous beliefs. In Japan, however, a unique phenomenon called Shinbutsu-shugo (syncretism of kami and buddhas) took place.
According to historical interpretations and legends found in texts like the Nihon Shoki, the Japanese court debated whether to accept the foreign Buddha. Eventually, a compromise was struck. The native kami were viewed as protectors of the Buddha, or conversely, the kami were seen as local manifestations (avatars) of universal Buddhist deities.
This is why, for over a millennium, shrines were built inside temple complexes and temples were built inside shrines. There was no need to choose one over the other. The Sun Goddess Amaterasu, the supreme deity of the Shinto pantheon, was not displaced but rather harmonized with the cosmic Buddhas. This syncretism became the bedrock of Japanese spiritual life, preventing the religious wars that plagued much of European history.
Modern Culture: Born Shinto, Die Buddhist
Today, this polytheistic tolerance manifests in a cultural phenomenon often summarized by the saying: “Japanese people are born Shinto, marry Christian, and die Buddhist.”
This is not a sign of superficiality, but of pragmatic harmony. Shinto, with its focus on purity and the celebration of life, is the natural choice for joyous occasions. Babies are taken to shrines for Omiyamairi (blessings), and festivals (matsuri) celebrate the harvest and community. Conversely, Buddhism, with its focus on the afterlife and enlightenment, handles funeral rites and ancestor worship.
This open-mindedness extends even to secular Western traditions. Christmas in Japan is celebrated with cake and fried chicken, stripped of its theology but embraced for its joy. Halloween is a massive costume party. Because Shinto teaches that there are infinite spirits, there is always room for one more celebration. This cultural DNA makes Japan one of the most religiously peaceful societies on earth.
Traveler’s Tips: Seeing the Harmony
As you explore Japan, look for the physical evidence of this spiritual tolerance. Here are a few ways to experience it:
- Visit Nara: In Nara Park, visit Todai-ji (a massive Buddhist temple) and Kasuga Taisha (a major Shinto shrine). Historically, they have supported each other for centuries. Notice the deer roaming freely; they are considered messengers of the Shinto gods but are protected within the Buddhist precincts.
- Observe Home Altars: If you stay in a traditional ryokan or visit a Japanese home, you might see a Kamidana (Shinto god shelf) high on the wall and a Butsudan (Buddhist altar) on the floor in the same room.
- Collect Goshuin: Buy a Goshuin-cho (stamp book). You can collect calligraphy stamps from both shrines and temples in the same book, a physical souvenir of the harmony between the two faiths.
- Respect the Etiquette: At a Shinto shrine, bow and clap (2 bows, 2 claps, 1 bow). At a Buddhist temple, put your hands together in prayer but usually do not clap. Adjusting your behavior shows you respect the distinct nature of each space, just as the locals do.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in diving deeper into the mythology and history of Shinto and its relationship with the state and other religions, the following texts are essential:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): The oldest surviving chronicle in Japan (712 AD), detailing the myths of the kami and the creation of the Japanese islands.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Completed in 720 AD, this text provides a more historical account and includes details on the introduction of Buddhism.
- Motoori Norinaga: Writings by this 18th-century scholar provide insight into the “National Learning” (Kokugaku) movement which sought to understand the Japanese spirit before foreign influence, though ironically highlighting how deeply intertwined the cultures had become.