Buddhism and Shinto

I am a monk of the Otani school of Shinshu.

As followers of the Shinshu sect, as you deepen your faith, the question of “not worshiping the gods” comes up, doesn't it?

First, let's consider what makes people suffer by asking God and praying for blessings.

For example, a disease cannot be cured by asking God or praying for blessings.
Even if you pray for entrance qualifications, such things have no effect, so if you have time to go to a shrine to pray for entrance qualifications, it's better to study for that time.

One more thing.
For example, there are many people who pray for prosperous business and love fulfillment.
However, in the end, both prosperous business and romantic fulfillment are “my own convenience.”
As the performance of one's own company increases, the performance of other companies in the same industry declines, and there may be people who suffer from being fired.
Let's say there are three men who like Ako: me, B-kun, and C-kun..
I like A-ko, and praying for love fulfillment means, “It would be nice if only I was good. B-kun and C-kun don't mind being heartbroken and sad”
So that's it.

Shinshu is the teaching of “don't choose, don't give up, don't abandon.”
Only certain people should be saved.
I'm not teaching that it's okay if there are unsaved people.

Broadly speaking, the problems with devotion to the gods are the two above.
In other words, “true or not?” and “Is it OK to think that I only need to be good?” That's it.

It had already been demolished, but my parents' house also had a kamidana.
(I went from being a disciple of the Otani school to becoming a monk)
I also insist that my mother is necessary for the rank card.

As a Shinshu Otani school monk, it is said that it is better not to make a kamidana, and that a table is unnecessary, but in reality, I think there are many Shinshu families that have kamidana or place plates according to social customs.

There is a part of the form that represents the content, so it is certainly important not to make a kamidana as a form.

However, the most important thing is “is it true or not?” and “Is it OK to think that I only need to be good?” That's it.
This is not a form, but rather an internal matter for each person.
Internally, Mr. Ito said, “Is it true or not?” “Is that teaching about being reckless, not giving up, and not abandoning? Or is this teaching good if only I'm good at it?”
I think asking questions is the root of devotion to the gods.

I think it's okay to go to a shrine and carry a mikoshi at a community association or children's association event.

I am a member of the Jodo sect, and this is also related, so let me answer by reference.
A long time ago, the townspeople asked the same question as you to Honen Shonin, the founder of the Jodo sect.
Honen Shonin answered like this.
“Amitabha Buddha is the Buddha who takes you to the Pure Land of Paradise. The god of the shrine is the god who will protect you in this world. So it's OK to believe in both.”
A bit (quite?) in the Jodo Shinshu The interpretation may be different, but for reference only.

Thank you for your insightful question. That's a great question.

If you master your thoughts and beliefs, you may also think of “not worshiping the gods.”
Does doing such a thing make “me” or “you” feel at ease?
This is because denying what others revere as an object of worship
For that person, it would be like denying their own worth, so
It will cause discomfort,
There may be an emotional conflict between you and that person.

What I think of as “confidence in other power”

Naturally, I can't practice and reach enlightenment on my own,
He's a fool who doesn't feel at ease even if he prays to gods and Buddhas,
The only thing I can do is believe that I can be saved just by believing in Amida's oath
It means I don't have this.

So you don't need to worry about that at all.
It's a matter of your peace of mind. It's not someone else's peace of mind.

If you're visiting with other people, you should follow the custom and put your hands together.
It says “the devotee Niha Tenjin Jigimo surrenders.” (Shoisho Article 7)

The purpose of religion is, as I wrote at the beginning,
I think it's about getting great peace of mind that nothing can shake you.
Being unshakable by anything means not being bothered by anything.

So there's absolutely nothing to worry about.

PostScript

Shinto and Buddhism are not incompatible opposites. There was also a period where they did something pretty ridiculous called Abolition of Buddhism
However, God was a distant ancestor, and a close ancestor acted as a Buddha to stabilize and unify the country.
Prince Shotoku is treasured with harmony. That intention symbolically expresses this.
In Shinto, Japanese soul, lucky soul, and rough soul are expressions of the work of the Divine Body of God.
Earthly benefits are carried out regardless of Shinto or Buddhism. I'm thinking about when I'll be happy if I'm not happy now, and if I can leave it unsaved. Both the priest and the monk are serious matches. I don't have that kind of strength or guts, so I'm just blaming Amida.

　Hello.

As you mentioned, Buddhism originated in India, then spread in various places while interlacing various religions and ideas, and spread to Japan while taking root. It has also developed in Japan mixed with Shinto and other folk beliefs. Furthermore, Buddhism and these religions and ideas are not “speckled,” and they are in a state where they are firmly blended together like mixed juice.
Just as it is difficult to extract only specific ingredients from mixed juice and drink it, it would be difficult to extract and worship only the part that occurred in India from Buddhism currently believed in Japan.

Incidentally, when Buddhism was introduced to Japan, it is thought that it was transmitted in a state where Chinese ancestral beliefs were mixed, and I think it was accepted by combining it with ancestral memorial ideas that have existed since ancient times in Japan.

Even in ancient Japan, it seems that there were people who thought the same thing as you, and soon after Buddhism entered, the “Hontokuji theory” was advocated, and the idea that gods and Buddha are the same was born. Even now, there is a way to say “God Buddha.”

I don't think it will lead to your peace of mind no matter how hard you try to say, “What was the original Buddhism like.” Please leave that kind of thing to a scholar, cherish the kamidana, Buddhist altar, and place, and live a quiet and rich life based on the ideas of the denomination you believe in.