I Had to Put This Up

Bushido Code in Shintoism

By: Nader Aboughalyoun
Religion 110, 12:00 pm
Spring 2011

One can not understand the Bushido Code without first understanding the way of the Samurai Warrior. The Samurai dedicated their entire life to follow the unwritten code of conduct known to the world as the Bushido code. Bushido literally means "warrior - samurai - ways"(TBC). To do anything less than follow it to the key would dishonor their family, legacy, and their martial art.
Shintoism has no founder or founding date and is a polytheistic religion (RF). It is thought to be instilled the Japanese people around 660 BC (Dr. Sprunger). Shinto is the area in Japan where the indigenous Japanese lived. Both Buddhism and Confucianism have influence Shintoism over the years as some foreigners from China started to go to Japan (RF). Little by little the boundaries between Buddhism and Shintoism were obliterated. Shinto almost died out as a viable religion but in the seventeenth century it was revitalized by tough-minded military leaders. A combination of Shinto and Confucianism was used to develop the warrior code of Bushido (Dr. Sprunger).
The true Bushido code holds that the true warrior must possess loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honor as important (Roger). Shinto teaches the importance of personal cleanliness and the sense guilt. Aside of from following and service to the Emperor, Shintoism has no definite set of theological beliefs or code of morality (Dr. Sprunger).   There are core beliefs that all Shinto share. These are the belief of a mysterious creation, the harmonizing power of Kami, and the truthful way of Kami. Kami can not be fully explained in words, because Kami transcends the cognitive faculty of man (RF).
      Bushido is made up of a system or standards of moral principles that became the soul of the Samurai. The seven virtues that make up the Bushido code are: Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty. Shinto...