Shinto Religion

The central aspect to Shinto tradition is the concept of purity, this principal concept evident within ritual practices. The impression of purity remains not only unique to Shinto religion, but rather recurrent within both Zen and Pure Land doctrines as well. By examining the idea of purity as it is seen within Zen Buddhism within the mind, and Pure Land within the soul, we will be able to see the through comparison the relations that the two religions have with Shinto tradition.
Before making a comparison, it is important to analyze the Shinto ideal of purity as well as the social and religious influences that it has created. Shinto tradition within Japanese society follows strict and diligent practices, in order to establish a link between
The significance of Pure land Buddhism is the concept of rebirth and attaining it through practices. The most common practice within the religion is the use of the Nembutsu, a term meaning that the repeated reciting of the name Amitabha Buddha. By reciting the name of the sacred Buddha, it was believed to be vital in obtaining rebirth within the pure land. Furthermore, It can be argued that reciting the Nembutsu can also be considered as a form of purification like Zen Buddhism as it can appear to be a way to cleanse the soul. Stating the name of the Amitabha Buddha as a result allows the individual to be fully consumed and uplifted by the main Buddhist virtue, which is called Primal Vow. The primal vow that is the highest level of virtue, merit, and enlightenment, allows an individual to redefine their moral conscious. By accepting this vow within the religion, one must like Zen Buddhism, give up all external contaminants in order to have the purest mind. Through immersing yourself in the Vow, you purify yourself from ignorance and it is this notion that is emphasized by Shinran who exclaims, “It is impossible for us, who are possessed of blind passions, to free ourselves from birth-and-death through any practice whatever. Sorrowing at this, Amida made the Vow, the essential intent of which is the evil person’s attainment of Buddhahood.” (Shinran, 1997, p.663). The Main intent of this passage is that Shinran has explained the infliction that prevents beings from being able to experience the Pure Land cycle, as well as how this ailment of the mind was solved once the Buddha created the Primal Vow. The passage allows us to see the importance that the Vow had not only on the religion, but also how it can be seen as an additional form of