Shintoism: Japan's indigenous religion that shares close resemblance with Hinduism.

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The idealism and saintliness of religion are some of the problematic aspects to understand. Whether you're a staunch follower of Abrahamic religions or you strictly follow polytheism. Religion shares relevant messages with the help of fiddly examples and incidents that can transform us into a better person.

Till now I always considered Hinduism and 

Taoism as the only polytheistic Religion on this planet. Polytheism means a religion that embraces more than one God.

Until recently I came across a religion that was born on the island of Japan. It's called Shinto or Shintoism.

WHAT IS SHINTOISM?

Shinto also called "Kami no Michi"  was originated in Japan and is considered as an indigenous religion. Those who abide by the principles of Shintoism are considered as Shintoists.

Image source - Google|image by : 歌川国貞 / WikiCommons

It's a polytheistic religion that is comprised of

 "Kami"  which means god that inhibits all things available on this planet.

The kami or gods have enshrined at Kamidana a small table that preserve the deity. Kami is also worshipped in various family Shrines and public shrines.

Like Hinduism, Shintoism has its own customs that include kagura ritual dances and various other festivals that form an integral part of Japanese culture.

In modern Japan, people adhere to both Shinto as well as Buddhism due to which there is an inseparable blend between these two distinct religions.

Surprisingly there is a striking resemblance between Shintoism and Hinduism.

The first prime cause that showcases the similarity between Hinduism and Shintoism is its polytheistic background. Unlike Islam and Christianity that follow a prophetic ideology, Shintoism adheres to more than one God's due to which it becomes more diverse and broad in nature.

Secondly and most importantly the conspicuous resemblance of the Shinto gods with Hindu gods.

GODS OF SHINTOISM:

BENZAITEN/SARASWATI

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Benzaiten is a Japanese goddess that shares a resemblance with the Hindu goddess Saraswati. The word Saraswati means flowing water. Similarly, Benzaiten is regarded as the goddess of everything that flows. Whether it's music, words, or speech.

BISHAMONTEN/KUBERA

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Bishamonten (also called Vaisravana) is considered as one of the seven lucky gods who resembles the characteristics of Kubera (Hindu deity). As per Japanese religion, bishamonten is deemed as the God of war. 

KARURA/GARUDA

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Karura is one of the deities of Shintoism who has a human body and birdlike head. As the name suggests this divine creature resembles "Garuda" (Hindu deity).

As per Shintoism Karura is deemed as an enormous half-man/half-bird god who feeds on Dragons/serpents.

This particular aspect showcases the starking resemblance shared by karura and Garuda.

KANGITEN/GANESHA

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Philipp Franz von Siebold

Another surprising fact of Shintoism is the conformation of Kangiten. Kangiten is the Japanese- Buddhism appearance of Lord Ganesha (the god of wisdom)

Japanese people consider him as the God that can help them to avoid troubles. This clearly showcases a precise correlation with the word 'Vighnaharta'.

This list delineates the polytheistic similarity Shintoism and Hinduism share at present times. It pristinely concludes the 'common ancestral role' Hinduism played during the ancient period

This article is solely based on an informational topic. I hope it didn't hurt anybody's religious sentiments. 

DHARMA PREVAILS