The Way of Life Better Known as SHINTO

This treatise has been written for Mother Goddess Gnostic Society by its Founder, Sage and High Priest Robert Worrall, as a small introduction for members and non-members to gain a little insight into the Shinto religion.

For generations the rites and beliefs of The Way of Life (Shinto) have been passed down. They call it The Way of Life, as its followers believe that it is more than just a mere religion.

Shinto, is a religion, which has no founder or scriptures of their own, but even though to most Japanese it remains “The Absolute Way”.

These Shinto followers, base their belief on worshipping the Kami. There main concern is with this world. They do this at their places of worship, which they call shrines.

These shrines are generally located by beautiful, natural settings, as they regard nature as sacred. Most are generally made from wood, which can explain why there are no ancient shrines left. These shrines are entered through the Torii (gateway or archway). The pathways that this leads too are sometimes lined with lanterns, which will be given by the followers. They may also have a dog, lion or fox guarding the shrine itself.

Followers use these shrines to gain good fortune or to remove any evil spirits, as the shrine is the place where the resident Kami is present. Before any follower enters the Prayer Hall, they will wash their hands and also rinse their mouth. This is due to them believing that purity of body and spirit is sacred. This purification is called Harae.

Shrines also have an Inner Hall, but this is only accessible by Priests or Priestesses (these will generally be hereditary).

The Kami is anything that can be construed as divine, which may be a tree a person or something else. These Kami reside at the places of worship (shrines). There are many of these, but the highest ranking of them all, is Amerterasu Omigami (“Heaven Shining August Goddess). Her symbol with being the Sun Goddess is “The Rising Sun”.

The shrine of Amerterasu Omigami (Sun Goddess) is in the town of Ise. Most followers of the Shinto religion do try to visit this shrine at least once in their life, due to the importance of it. The shrine itself is rebuilt every 21 years to ensure that the Kami survives, and possibly to keep it looking good.

There are those who believe that every Japanese Emperor is a descendent from the Sun Goddess.

Even the wishes of an ant reach

to heaven. Anon

To do good is to be pure.

To commit evil is to be impure.

Anon