What is the difference between Shinto and Buddhism?

Shinto is the real spiritual cult of which most of the Japanese belong to. It is traditionally referred to as kami-no-Michi. Shinto was first practiced among the Chinese inscriptions, and it literally means the way of the gods. Shinto is made up of two words; 'shen' or 'shin,' which means spirit or God's, and 'do' or 'tā,' which means an idealistic aspect of the study of a being.

Buddhism, on the other hand, refers to a tradition that is assumed to be the ultimate way to salvation that is to be achieved through a consistent awesome approach into the whole nature of existence and reality. Buddhism is majorly practiced among the Indians and was envisaged by Siddhartha Gautama. Buddhism lays more emphasis on words and sermons, while Shinto places more emphasis on religious rites and actions. Buddhism teaches a selfless life and obtaining salvation through it. There are religious branches in Buddhism, such as Mahayana and Theravada. Meanwhile, Shinto has nothing of such.

Shinto and Buddhism are two types of religion. Shinto is practiced in Japan and it has a number of followers across the country and outside. Buddhism is also a religion which is practiced in some parts of India. Buddhism was founded by a Nepalese teacher named Gautama Buddha. Buddhism has a huge number of followers in India. Buddhism focuses mainly on some philosophy about life, nature and deepens itself into the reality of various things that exist. Shinto, on the other hand, based most of its practices on various existing religious practices of people and traditions of the ancient Japan.

Shinto as a religion, does not base its beliefs on core philosophy about some realities, but it practices more of rituals than holding onto too much of philosophy. Buddhism, on the other hand, teaches deep things about some realities of life and different philosophy of life according to the teachings of the Gautama Buddha and perform less of rituals.

The essence of Shinto is the Japanese dedication to invisible spiritual beings and powers called Kami to shrines and various rituals. Shinto is not a means of explaining the world, and it is not a traditional world religion. Shinto’s foundation was built upon ceremonies that allow human beings to communicate with Kami, and the Shinto holds his place of worship to be shrines; however, the location of devotion in Buddhism is the Buddha. There are also significant differences in the practices between Shinto and Buddhism.

Shinto worshipers pay visits to shrines to pay homage to Shinto deities and shamanism is part of their worship. Shinto teachings are based upon ethical principles rooted in morality, other than religion. Shinto has no founder. Buddhism is based on the concept of enlightenment and “being reborn.” Ritual rather than faith is at the heart of Shinto. Buddhism comes from an ancient, traditional, and well-established religion, as opposed to Shinto, which is a newer religion. There is more evidence of karma being developed as a common foundation for faith.