Shinbutsu-Bunri

Shinbutsu - Bunri (Jap.神 仏 分离) shall mean the in the wake of the Meiji Restoration in Japan until then separation of each other tightly interwoven religions Shinto and Japanese Buddhism ( cf. Shinbutsu Shugo ).

As part of the measures for the collection of Shinto as the state religion ( State Shinto ) is taught in January 1868, " Office of Shinto Affairs " ( jingijimuka ) a, which in the following month by the " authority of the Shinto affairs " ( Jingijimukyoku ) as one of the eight authorities of the State Council was replaced. But in April of the same year, that authority was transferred to the " Shinto Office " ( jingikan ), which was active until August 1871.

One of the first actions by the Authority for Shinto affairs was addressed to all the Shinto priest of the land transfer of 4 April 1868 that those " directors who wear costumes Buddhist " and " so-called shrine monks " should give up their religious activities.

A few days later, gave a available for the separation of Shinto and Buddhism (神仏 分離 の 令, Shinbutsu - Bunri -no- rei ). According to her, had Buddhist statues, paintings and other relics removed from all Shinto shrines and Shinto shrines those who had received Buddhist name are renamed. Existing government support and recognition accounted for replacement. A few months later enacted laws govern in detail the laicization, ie the spiritual prohibition for all Buddhist priest in the shrine service. Those who "because of unavoidable obstacles or Buddhist belief " that prohibition did not want to obey, the shrines were expelled.

A decree in December to the schools of Nichiren Buddhism ordered the burning of all Shinto relics in their temples and forbade the hitherto customary use of the "Thirty protective gods " of Shinto or other Kami in their teachings and ceremonies. Similar, anti- Buddhist elements edicts were sent to the larger Shinto shrines, where the Buddhist influence was still significant.

These measures also led to the propagation of " Kill the Buddha, destroyed the Buddhist scriptures " movement ( Haibutsu kishaku ), during which massacred Buddhist monks, Buddhist scriptures burned and looted a large number of temples were destroyed or closed. With regard to the extent, methods and state involvement, there were significant differences between the regions, since they had the local authorities allowed a lot of freedom in implementing the laws.

This policy of separation of Shinto and Buddhism was largely discontinued in March 1872. A turning point is considered the resolution of the Shinto religion Ministry ( jingishō ) and the establishment of the Ministry of Religious Affairs ( kyōbushō ) in April 1872 in their jurisdiction now both fell religions equally.

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