Explain How Daoism And Shinto Both Provide Distinctive Responses To

Explain how Daoism and Shinto both provide distinctive responses to the search for meaning. In your answer refer to principal beliefs, supernatural powers and deities and rituals.

“Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle.” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te
The Ancient religious traditions of Daoism and Shinto both provide distinctive responses to the search for meaning for their adherents due to becoming more than just an aspect of their life, but a way to live their life. This is conveyed through the specific principal beliefs, supernatural powers and deities and rituals which belong to each religious tradition.

Both religious traditions provide an answer to the search for meaning through their set principal beliefs. Daoism is focused on the Dao or 'the way'.

Daoism, while overwhelmingly focused on freedom, must also hold a sense of discipline. This is due to freedom and discipline complementing each other in yin-yang dynamics; which must hold a true balance. Discipline leads to spiritual progression throughout daily activities and is why rituals are held to such importance within Daoism. Rituals also grant time for self-reflection, which ultimately improves one self and makes the human search for meaning less opaque. Shinto rituals and practices are heavily influenced by the beliefs in purification and the Kami. Two examples of Shinto practices are: Omairi - This involves visitng a Shrine, cleansing oneself and praying/making offerings to the gods. Misogi - this is the practice involving purification in cold water in conjunction with prayers. This is a daily activity for regular practitioners, usually done at shrines or places of natural cold, clean water, i.e waterfalls. The Shinto rituals reinforce the principal beliefs of the religious tradition and therefore assist in and adherent’s overall search for