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=  Nora School's Religion Class Presents.... = =  THE SHINTO CLUB! = = = = = = = = = = = = = =  Origins of Shinto  =  (brought to you by Tessa), pages 366-239  <span style="COLOR: rgb(250,168,241)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(235,96,121)">**<span style="COLOR: rgb(250,158,223)">Unlike many religions shinto has no known person or group as its founder. The name Shinto emerged when Buddhism came from China to Japan. Shinto in Japanese means "the way of the gods". In the Beginning, as the creation myth relates, there was primeval chaos, which came to be populated by several generations of deities, or spirits, called Kami (meaning "above", "superior"). Two of these kami are Izanami ("female who invites) and Izanagi ("male who invites") who became the cosmic parents and created the first islands of Japan. Purity is a major focus of the Shinto religion. Pollution (//tsumi//) comes especially from contact with death, but purity can be restored by washing and ritual expiation (//harai//). Japan is a sort of this worldly heaven, which human beings share with divine beings. In the Japanese view the task of humans is to live up to the heaven like world into which they have been born. **   =<span style="COLOR: rgb(251,91,184)">Creation Story: = <span style="COLOR: rgb(251,91,184)">**Hereupon all the heavenly Deities commanded the two Deities his Augustness the Male-Who-Invites and her Augustness Female-Who-Invites, ordering them to ‘make, consolidate, and give birth to this drifting land.’ Granting to them a heavenly jeweled spear, they deigned to charge them. So the Deities, standing upon the Floating Bridge of Heaven, pushed down the jeweled spear stirred (the ocean) with it...; the brine that dripped down the end of the spear was piled up the and became an island. Izanagi and Izanami than gave birth to additional kami, many of them nature deities. One of the nature deities was the fire god. As a result of his birth, Izanami was horribly burned, died, and went down to the underworld. Horrified Izanagi returned alone to everyday world. Dirty from his contact with the underworld and with death, he cleansed himself in the ocean to regain purity. As he washed, from his tear filled eyes emerges the spirit of the sun Amatersu (“shinning in heaven”), and the spirit of the moon, Tsikiyumi (“moon night possessor”). From his nostrils came the spirit of the wind, Sunsanwo (“impetuous male”). Eventually the sun goddesses Amatersu sent her grandson to bring order to the islands of Japan. From him, the myth continues, came jimmu, the first emperor of Japan. As a result the imperial house mythically traces its origin stories to the goddesses of the sun.** =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">  = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">  = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Historical Development  = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Maddie), pages 239-245<span style="COLOR: rgb(0,255,255); FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif">

__Accommodation with Buddhism and Confucianism__ Since Buddhism was already in Japan, Shinto was forced to define itself. Eventually the two religions reached an accommodation: Shinto was associated with agriculture, fertility, and birth, while Buddhism was associated with philosophy, help with serious sickness, funerals, and the afterlife. Because of these accommodations, frequently Shinto shrines were in Buddhist temples. Also from Buddhism, Shinto adopted practices of preaching sermons, venerating statues, and using incense.Confucianism also blended well, because they viewed their ancestors as kami. All three of the religions, "began to view [themselves[ as being joined in a family relationship," (241).

__Shinto and Japanese National Identity__ The Japanese have relied on Shinto to give them a sense of identity. In the 14th century Shinto became independent, and separate from Buddhist influence. They argued that the kami were the "original gods" and the Buddhist deities were only later manifested into kamis. Motoori Norinaga (1730 - 1801) and Kamo Mabuchi (1697 -1769) -- wanted to purify Shinto and separate it from Buddhism and Confucianism. The Meiji Restoration modernized Japan and forced temples to declare themselves either Shinto or Buddhist. During this time, Shinto would help the nation preserve the "Japanese spirit." During a short time, Buddhism even suffered persecution. In 1882, State Shinto was set up to be the national religion. Thousands of shrines received national status, and the nongovernmental shrines were treated independently, known as Sect Shinto. But, in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War, Shinto began to be exploited, the government used the religion to generate patriotism. The Imperial Rescript on Education, was where the divinity of Amaterasu was taught in schools and schoolchildren had to memorize and recite a special statement endorsing the view. After World War II the    <span style="FONT-SIZE: 110%; COLOR: rgb(0,255,255); FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif">Occupation forces demanded the Japan become a secular country, therefore forcing State Shinto to be abolished. All religions were then placed on the same level, with Shinto being a strictly private religion.



=<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Essentials of Shinto Belief   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Dimitrios), pages 245-247 <span style="COLOR: rgb(25,18,222)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(234,147,31)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(25,18,222)"> The Kami are energies that animate nature: they cause rice to grow and wind to blow; they cause volcanoes to spew lava and earthquakes to split the land. The Kami of nature especially love to dwell and be active in places of power and beauty.

Kami are treated as persons and are given names--- so that humans can approach them and fell closely related to them. The Major Kami are: Izanagi, Izanami, Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi, and Susanowo. The Minor Kami are: the god of fire, the goddess of grain, ocean spiritss, mountain spirits, and spirits of great trees, rivers, and waterfalls. There are also animal sprits, particularly of animal thought to have mysterious cunning, such as the badger, the fox, and the snake. <span style="COLOR: rgb(234,147,31)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(25,18,222)">Ancestors - who have also become Kami - live close by, ready to return to see how their descendants are faring. Shinto is thus a way of maintaining a connection with family members. Respect for the dead comes both from love of the family member and the natural fear of the unknown. In Shinto, ancestors are believed to influence the family's earthly life. The spirits of past emperors, artists, teachers, and scholars are particularly venerated; Confucianism strengthened this Shinto respect for for ancestors and other great people of the past. At Imperial request, early myths were written down in fear that they would be lost when Buddhism entered Japan. They appeared in the two core works the **Kojiki** (Chronicle of ancient events, 712 C.E.) and the **Nihongi** (Chronicle of Japan, 720 C.E.). These works also contain genuinely historical material. Ancient Shinto ritual and prayers (//norito//) were recorded in the tenth century.

Shinto does not have a clearly defined code of ethics, but does have a morality flowing in the system of values and its way of looking at life.There is no moralistic God who gives commands or judges a person, nor is there a sense of original sin or sinful tendency. Instead humans are fundamentally good, the body is good, and this earthly life is good. Shinto worships fertility and new life, and sex is viewed positively, without guilt. Sexual imagery can be seen in many shrines.

Shinto tends to turn its focus away from death, which is thought of as the opposite of life and growth. Because Shinto worships life force, it works to counteractwhatever brinds sickness or death. We must keep our bodies, houses, and clothes cleanand bright. In Japan washing, sweeping, and cleaning have religious implications. The human character must also have "sincerity" (makoto)- it must be pure, without egotism, committed.

Because there are Kami everywhere living with them demands that we show reverence. Visit them at their shrines, show respect for nature and maintaining harmony with all of it's processes. =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Shinto Religious Practice   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Bethany), pages 247-252 <span style="COLOR: rgb(42,213,43)">Religious practice includes formal worship, blessings by priests, observance of holidays, seas, nature, and ceremonial practice by the Emperor and other authorities. The job of being a priest is often hereditary. Worship at Shrines ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(42,213,43)">Visit shrines to: pray for health, success, well being of others. Visitors pass under a torii (a ceremonial entrance or gateway), wash their hands and mouth, and then proceed in to the building, called the //haiden//, where the worship takes place. Behind it, is a small cabinet where the kami is enshrined. <span style="COLOR: rgb(42,213,43)">Upon entering, worshipers bow, donate a coin, ring a bell, and clap a few times. Small wooden plaques (//ema)// and streamers are tied to nearby trees. Metal, swords, mirrors, jewels are supposed to have the kami sometimes present within them. Festival days (//matsuri//) are elaborate, with hand-carried litter (//o-mikoshi//), and booths are set up to sell food and souvenirs. <span style="COLOR: rgb(42,213,43)">Priests perform rites of passage, especially for young children, called the “7-5-3”. Girls are brought at ages 3 and 7, boys are brought at age 5 for blessings. They also perform weddings, bless construction sites, and perform exorcisms. They usually wear white robes, and shoes of black, multilayered paper (they look like Dutch clogs), and caps of black horsehair. Female attendants, called //miko//, wear bright read robes. Celebration of the New Year ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(42,213,43)">The main door to the Kami is decorated with the //kadomatsu// (“door pine”), made of three pieces of bamboo, a small branch of pine, and a sprig of plum. Bamboo is for persistence, the pine for freshness and life throughout the winter, and the plum is the first sign of life in spring. Rice pounded into a dough called //mochi// is eaten, representing wealth and fertility. On New Year’s eve, a soup of vegetables and mochi is eaten, called //ozoni//. On New Years Day, kimonos are worn, take offerings to the shrines, and pray for the coming year. Observances of the Seasons and Nature ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(42,213,43)">Reverential objects are placed in the midst of forests, fields, or mountains, items such as the torii, a pile of stones, or a sacred rope. This is an offering to the ancestors. The purification with water practice, called //**misogi**// calls for followers to stand under a waterfall, and at the end they drink //sake// (rice wine) to perform the cleansing. Other Practices ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(42,213,43)">//Kamidan// is a small shrine in homes, placed on a high shelf to offer prayers to at the beginning of each day.
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=<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Shinto and the Arts   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Tessa), pages 254-256 ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(252,136,211)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,169,227)">Music and Dance ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(252,136,211)">**<span style="COLOR: rgb(246,106,186)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,169,227)">Shinto is known for its distinctive music called gaguku. Was adapted by Shinto from the Chinese imperial court, it was slowed down so that it creates an impression of solemnity. The instruments used to make a flutelike, reedy sound that sounds close yet far away. It is perfect accompaniment to Shinto Ritual. Shinto Shrines include dances at festival times to entertain the resident kami. From the shrine dance evolved the Noh dance dramas, which tell stores of people and their contacts with the spirits. The making of masks and exquisite robes for Noh performers has become a fine art. **
 * <span style="COLOR: rgb(251,147,229)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(252,151,235)">Architecture <span style="COLOR: rgb(252,151,235)">
 * <span style="COLOR: rgb(252,151,235)">The traditional architecture of shrines (jijna) is a primary expression of Shinto expression. Pure Shinto style is with un-curving gabled thatch roofs, unpainted and un-carved wooden walls, and nails less construction. The original torii was first 3 logs tied together but then from the basic design they began to make more graceful ones, at first they were not painted but nowadays they are starting to paint them. Tied to the torri or to the front of the shrine is often a ceremonial rope (shimenawa). **
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=<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Shinto Offshoots: New Religions   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Andrea), pages 256-259 <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)">Not a strongly institutionalized religion—a weakness and a strength. Strength because anyone can set up a Shinto shrine and begin Shinto-inspired movements. Weakness because Shinto generally does not have an organized structure necessary to make converts—or spread the religion beyond Japan. Shinto shrines usually belong to confederations, which help with staffing, and many smaller shrines are affiliated with older and larger national shrines. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)">Shinto produced and still produces an amazing variety of sects, especially over the last two centuries. Some sects are more traditional than others. Some worship all the major Kami or focus on just one. Some borrowed from Confucianism, Buddhism, or Christianity and speak of a divine parent—the human race is a single family. Traditions derived from mountain asceticism and emphasis on healing. Some sects venerate a charismatic founder who is thought to be a kami and the recipient of a divine revelation. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> Offshoots that emerged from shamanistic revelations are the most prominent. Offshoots that considered themselves separate religions are called “New Religions.” <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> Japan has a long history of shamanism, shamans which are often female. This openness to shamanism has helped to produce the offshoots that revere an inspired leader. These offshoots illustrate the ability of Japanese religious traditions to take on new forms. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)">**Tenrikyo** “heavenly reason teaching” - **Nakayama Miki (1798—1887)** - discovered her religious abilities by accident. Called in a shaman to perform rites to improve her unhappy life and marriage, she meant only to act as the assistant but went into a trance that lasted several days. During which a Kami spoke to her designating her as the Shrine of God. When she came to she said that many kami spoke to her. The greatest was the parent kami (//Oya-gami//). The name was Tenri-o-no-mikoto “Lord of divine wisdom” who wished for her to teach the people around her how to live properly to have satisfying lives. Physical health comes from mental health is a **strong belief**, preaches healing by faith. **Sacred Scripture** is the poetry that Miki wrote as a result of her revelations. Created Tenri City near Nara, in Japan, services are offered twice daily in the main hall <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> These offshoots have offshoots themselves—Tenrikyo = //Honmichi// “true road”. Omoto = //Sei-cho-no-le// “house of growth” and //P.L.Kyodan// “perfect liberty community.” **Goals**: Beauty, happiness, and the creation of paradise on earth. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)">New Religions are the object of some interest for what they may foretell about the direction of religions in the future. Practical and peace-oriented, and “this-worldly.” Many value woman’s contributions and esteem the arts. They borrow valuable elements from other religions—now moving in new directions.
 * Omotokyo** “great origin teaching” **Omoto** – **Deguchi Nao (1836—1918)** – Suffered terrible poverty and misfortune. Eight children, three died, two were mentally ill. Husband died when she was thirty. In her despair, she experienced a vision of the creation of a new, perfect world. Working with her adopted son, Deguchi Onisaburo, she established a religion that she hoped would begin the transformation. Grew out of the traditional Shinto view of the earth as a heavenly realm of spirits, shamanistic trust in the spirits to bring healing to human life. Omoto **aims** to better //this// world rather than accumulate rewards for an afterlife. **Wishes to bring happiness to the individual and peace to society**. It sees in the creation of art the essence of religious manifestation, all art is religious. Began a school at the headquarters in Kameoka, to teach traditional Japanese arts to non-Japanese. Omoto has promoted the study of Esperanto (a universal language) sponsored contacts with members of other religions, Muslims and Christians included. Has held services in New York’s Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.

=<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Shinto and the Modern World   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Andrea), pages 259-260 <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)">Shinto is a unique example of an earthly nature religion that is still vital in the modern world. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)">//An esteem for nature// – Because our natural world is threatened we have much to learn from the Shinto attitude toward nature <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> //The stance of benevolent silence about most moral and doctrinal questions// – For those modern democracies with many viewpoints Shinto provides a religion that does not fragment society over doctrinal and moral issues. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> //Aesthetically pleasing ritual// – Some religions downplay the importance of rituals ranking it below morality. The nonjudgmental ritual of Shinto appears all the more valuable to those who question traditional ethics and doctrines. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> //Electicism// – Shinto does not exclude other religions, but allows their practices and will sometimes absorb their teachings and various elements of that religion. This reflects the inclusive viewpoint of Shinto. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)"> Some believers in Shinto see its potential as a universal religion of nature and would like to see it spread to non-Japanese. Shinto is not a missionary religion, nor does it have the structure to be one. It is possible for some Shinto offshoot such as Tenrikyo to spread beyond the country of origin. <span style="COLOR: rgb(153,21,21)">

Traditional Shinto derives much from the terrain, climate, and geographical isolation of Japan. If that is so then Shinto will remain restricted to that country. It is easy however to imagine the spread of traditional Shinto, especially to where the special elements might take root in the welcoming, supportive community.

=<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Vocabulary   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by    <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">  Turquoise) Amaterasu == Shining in heaven; goddess of the sun Bushido == Warrior Knight Way; military devotion to a ruler, demanding loyalty, duty, and self-sacrifice; an ideal promoted by State Shinto Gagaku == stately ceremonial music of Shinto Ise == Major shrine to Amaterasu, Locatied in eastern Honshu Izanagi == Male who invites; primordial male parent god Izanami == Female who invites; primordial female parent god Jinja == a Shinto shrine =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Timeline   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Tuquoise as well!) 600 BCE == Period of legendary Emperor Jimmu Pre – 350 BCE == Worship of sun and fertility 350-550 CE == Unification of clans and kami worship 552 CE == Introduction of Buddhism to Japan 712 CE == Writing of Kojiki 720 CE == Writing of Nihongi 1650-1850 == Shinto scholarly revival 1798-1887 == Life of Nakayama Miki 1836-1918 == Life of Deguchi Nao 1868 == Beginning of rule of Emperor Meiji 1882 == Beginning of State Shinto 1945 == End of State Shinto 1946 == Emperor Hirohito rejects title of divinity

=<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Personal Experiences   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to    <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">  you by Dee)

In the author's first personal experience he is describing his trip to the Meiji Shrine, which is a Shinto shrine that was created in the early twentieth century to honor the spirit of the emperor who had opened Japan to the rest of the world (Emperor Meiji). He describes the beautiful scenery and walking through a **torii,** which is a simple tall wooden portal. He describes observing the scenery and questioning the religion.
 * First Encounter**


 * Personal Experience: A Temple High Above Kyoto**

He describes his trip to Kyoto and his visit to the Buddhist "mother temple," Kiyomizu-dera ("clear water temple"). He said that it was misleading to call this place a single "temple" because it is really a large complex of wooden building scattered across a wooden hill. He explains how he heard it was a perfect spot for watching the sunset and how that was what he planned to do. He looks out on the 'clear water" and sees a man in a white robe knee-deep in a stream. He could see that he was praying. He said that he was not expecting to find the practice of the Shinto ritual misogi.

=<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">    = =<span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> Those Silly Pink Boxes   = <span style="FONT-SIZE: 200%; COLOR: rgb(236,39,39)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> (brought to you by Dee)    <span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">


 * Kamikaze Pilots and Shinto**

During WWII Japanese pilots made suicidal crash attacks and were named with the Japanese word **Kamikaze** ("Spirit wind"). They wre practitioners of the **bushido**("warrior knight way") cult, which was promoted by State Shinto. The ideal was that the role of the loyal samurai, noble warrior, and bushido came to be treated as a spiritual path that soldiers should follow. Bushido requires courtesy, utter loyalty to one's lord, honor, and willingness to commit suicide for a cause.

Bushido has gathered elements from many religions. From Zen Buddhism, its sense of transiency of al life, from Confucianism, its stress on loyalty to one's superior, and from Shinto, an identification with the japanese state.

Shinto is not a military religion, but during certain periods it has been manipulated to promote war
 * Shinto Ethics: Basic Rules for the Twenty-First Century?**

Moral philosophy of Shinto can be summarized in two guidelines:

1)engage in respectful behavior toward spirits, human beings, and nature. 2) practice appropriate rituals of purification and reverence

Other moral questions about human behavior are not discussed, the individual is free to decide. <span style="COLOR: rgb(13,13,197); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(248,145,145)"> ==<span style="COLOR: rgb(13,13,197); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(248,145,145)">Dave: Nice Job Team Shinto... I'll email your test to you in class tomorrow (Tues 5/6) and you can use the information on this page (only) to respond. "The Journey IS The Reward!" == where is the religion from? How it got its name. Creation story History Other religions in the country. How they got along. Outside influences from the world. Politics and religion Beliefs Focus of religion and practices Where and how Special days and costumes Terms Holy books and days Arts Schisms sects branches and how it gets along today.