1. Comparing Shintoism to Martin Luther King, and later, to the beliefs of Plato!

2. A Japanese religion. Shinto means “Way of the Gods” Divided into two divisions. One is made up of thirteen ancient sects which are all similar, the other is State Shinto. State Shinto is a later form of Shinto. In this, worshiping of the Emperor is the highest form of expression. Shinto ethics form the basis of Japan’s general morals and ethics.

3. Kami are powerful beings, worshipped in Shinto, who are linked with the very first forces that shaped the world when Japan and its people were being formed. They are active in special ways, places, moments, objects, or natural phenomena believed to possess a mysterious power or spirit. Kami are present everywhere, in nature and in people. This divine spirit is found in heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, sun and moon, plants and animals, and human beings.

4. Behind me is a “Torii”. Symbolically this is a gateway between the human world and the world of the Kami.

5. They believe that the supernatural shows itself in the beauty of the natural and they value it more than any philosophical doctrine. They believe in the scriptural authority of the great books. They believe that everything that is, is the great spirit. The myths of Shinto depict a three-dimensional universe. The whole world is a brother hood. There is no evil in the world at all.

6. Record of Ancient things Chronicles of Japan Institutes of the Period of Yengi Collection of 10 000 leaves.

7. They believe that the supernatural shows itself in the beauty of the natural and they value it more than any philosophical doctrine. They believe in the scriptural authority of the great books. They believe that everything that is, is the great spirit. The myths of Shinto depict a three-dimensional universe. The whole world is a brother hood. There is no evil in the world at all.

8. Highest Level: (plain of the high sky) male and female Kami reside. Middle domain: (manifested world) Humans and other beings reside. Lowest Level: (nether world) unclean and malevolent spirits reside.

9. They believe that the supernatural shows itself in the beauty of the natural and they value it more than any philosophical doctrine. They believe in the scriptural authority of the great books. They believe that everything that is, is the great spirit. The myths of Shinto depict a three-dimensional universe. The whole world is a brother hood. There is no evil in the world at all.

10. To discuss this topic of “no evil” I welcome, via satellite, Martin Luther King! Thank you! I heard your belief just then that there is no evil in the world at all and if you believe that, you are blind! Every man and women is a born sinner! We have strayed from the flock and must return to Gods house! What house? In Shintoism there is no division between the physical world and the spiritual world. Physical beings and spirits are all part of the same universal creation! See, I believe that man is a being of spirit. This spiritual aspect has to do with our ability to reason and it is this capacity which distinguishes man from the lower animals. We are all part of the same family. Yes! I agree! White, black, yellow, we are all brothers and sisters with one father! Yes, but I meant we as in the world. Brother sky, sister mountain, brother ocean… we are all part of the same family! What? Sorry Marty! I’m getting a signal from Plato! Hold the line please!

11. Hello Plato! What’s all this nonsense I heard earlier about placing the value of nature over Philosophy? The un-examined life is not worth living! Philosophy should be number one! But we do not need to contemplate life! The beauty of the supernatural is all around us. Enjoy it old man! Well if you don’t believe a good life is one spent in contemplation, then what is it smarty pants? Don’t call me smarty pants. Sorry. A good life is a pure one. Purity of the body and mind. By staying pure during our lives, we will achieve immortality with the Kami after death. Our Salvation is living with the divine Kami in the highest level of our three dimensional universe. Hey! Your preaching to the choir here buddy! I agree that we need to seek purity in our lives in order to return to the perfect spiritual realm. But are you sure these perfect spirits are among us now? Oh yes! I pray to them every day. And I bring the more important ones offerings. But although our Kami nature survives death, we still want to be remembered well, so fulfilment of duty is a very important aspect of Shinto. Hmmm.. You should meet a student of mine, he was saying something like that. His name’s Aristotle. Well that’s all we have time for today. See you next time !