itwrb practice test (all pdfs involved)

The Historical Development of Shinto

• Shinto blended with Mahayana Buddhism when it came to Japan
• Buddhist monks considered Shinto kami as different forms of Mahayana Buddha’s, bodhisattvas
• Buddhist deities were preached to be already worshipped in Japan but under Shinto names
• Although there was resistance at first, both religions’ practices blended
• Japan adopted Chinese writing system and aspects of Chinese culture, including: architecture, poetry, ceramics, art, philosophy, cuisine, clothing design & city planning
• Though enthusiastic about Buddhism and Chinese culture, Shinto did not disappear
• Shinto and Buddhism co-existed, with Shinto being associated with agriculture, fertility and birth
• Buddhism was called upon for philosophy, serious illnesses, funerals, and the afterlife

Accommodations between Shinto and Buddhism

• Shinto shrines had Buddhist places of worship or Buddhist rites for the kami
• Buddhist temples had Shinto shrines on their grounds
• Shinto adopted Buddhist practices of preaching sermons, venerating statues, and using incense
• Shinto shrines featured Chinese architectural details

Amaterasu and Susanowo

• Amaterasu, the supreme heavenly kami, could create deities at will.
• Susanowo was challenged to create deities to prove his good intent and be admitted into Amaterasu’s kingdom
• Amaterasu ate pieces of Susanowo's sword and spat out three new female deities
• Amaterasu gave Susanowo a string of her jewels, which he ate and spat out five new male kami
• Amaterasu acknowledged the creation of these deities as proof of Susanowo’s good intent and admitted him to her realm
• Susanowo began to harass Amaterasu and her kingdom, causing chaos and plunging the earth into darkness
• Amaterasu retreated to a heavenly cave and refused to come out, leaving evil spirits to rule
• Amaterasu was coaxed out of the cave by roosters crowing, a great tree adorned with soft white cloth and glorious jewels

Ninigi and his Children

• Ninigi, Amaterasu's grandson, descended to Earth and ruled there
• Ninigi had three sons, Ho-deri, Hoho-demi and a third whose name is not mentioned
• Ho-deri was strong and violent, and possessed a magical fishhook
• Hoho-demi, the younger brother, borrowed the fishhook and lost it
• Hoho-demi was assisted by the sea deity Shihotsuchi to find the fishhook
• Hoho-demi journeyed to the palace of the sea god Ohowata-tsumi, where he met and married ToyoTamabimim, the sea god’s daughter
• The sea god Ohowata-tsumi helped recover the fishhook and gave Hoho-demi the magical jewels of the sea gods
• Hoho-demi returned to his home in Kyushu with Toyo-Tamabimim

The History of Taoism and the Life of Lao Tzu

• Taoism is a collection of observations about nature, philosophical insights, guidelines for living, health exercises, protection rituals, practices for longevity and inner purity
• Daoism includes ideas and practices from the earliest phases represented in Daodejing and Zhuangzi, as well as later developments (including rituals, philosophy, etc.)
• The origin of Taoism is mysterious
• Taoism has roots in shamanism, appreciation for the hermit’s life, a desire for unity with nature, and fascination with health, long life, breathing, meditation, and trance
• Taoism is interconnected with Chinese folk religion

Chinese Religion Timeline

• 11th century BCE: Development of belief in Shang Ti
• 6th century BCE: Life of Lao Tzu
• 4th century BCE: Composition of Tao Te Ching
• 551-479 BCE: Life of Confucius
• 468-390 BCE: Life of Mo-tzu
• 3rd century BCE: Buddhism enters China
• 298-238 BCE: Life of Mencius
• 195 CE: Ritual veneration of Confucius begins
• 1503: Ritual veneration of Confucius suppressed
• 1851-64: Tai Ping rebellion
• 19th century: Large-scale Christian missionary activity
• 1949: Communist revolution founding of the People’s Republic of China
• 1966: Cultural Revolution; severe repression of religions
• 1977: Death of Chairman Mao; relaxation on religions

Local Deities and Spirits

• In addition to the major deities of the heavens and the earth, the Chinese believed in several kinds of local deities and spirits
• Beneficial spirits were known as Shen, dwelling in bright and lighted places
• Spirits associated with dark and gloomy places were known as Kuei
• People performed sacrifices and rituals to appease the Shen and protect themselves from the Kuei
• Offerings to the deities typically included animals or grain, but human sacrifice was sometimes practiced for the supreme offering

Ying and Yang

• The concept of yin and yang explains the true nature of the universe
• Yin is the negative force: darkness, coolness, females, dampness, earth, moon, and shadows
• Yang is the positive force: lightness, brightness, warmth, maleness, dryness, and the sun
• The universe operates through the balanced interplay between these two forces
• All of nature, humankind, and events are a combination of both forces, except for a few objects that are clearly yin or yang