ABSTRACT
The Japanese religious tradition represents an interweaving of several religious traditions: Shinto, folk religion, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, and Christianity. Shinto also lacks any consensus collection of sacred texts or an official set of doctrines. In addition to mountain ascetics, Japanese folk religion also reveres another religious specialist playing the role of the shaman, who is often a woman. Initially, Buddhism was practiced by Korean immigrants, but it was gradually accepted by upper class families, by the imperial court, and finally the state. The Japanese ideal embodied a harmony between humans, gods, and nature. The close relationship between the three entities extends to such an extent that humans can become gods or Buddha's. Contrary to what one might think, this action was not inspired by Buddhism but was rather promoted by Neo-Confucianism, which was considered an excellent philosophy by which to run a government because it stressed stability and order.
