How do I conect with Japanese in my community who can teach me about Shinto?

Question:

I have not met any Japanese or Japanese-Americans in Rochester, NY. There are no listings for any Shinto community here.

Answer:

Shinto is about actions not words, so it doesn't really have the concept of "teach me about". You can learn about how to purify yourself and your surroundings and how to perform a Norito but they are just a a part of Shinto. The goal of Shinto is to live a happy and fulfilled life. It's thought that practicing the (unofficial) tenets of Shinto is the best way. They are:

A. Respect for family

B. Respect for nature.

C. Cleanliness of mind and body.

D. Celebration of the harmony between humanity and nature through the Kami.

Some interesting facts about Shinto:

1. Belief is not an important part of Shinto.

2. The Shinto texts are not central to the religion and are not considered to be true stories. They are considered to be what the people of the time they were written thought about the world.

3. Shinto focuses on obtaining happiness and fulfillment in this life. It does not consider this life to be just a preparation for whatever might come next.

4. Shinto can be highly individualized. You'll never hear a sermon at a Shinto ritual because the Shinto priests have no dogma to preach and they reckon that you are smart enough to figure things out for yourself.

5. Individual Shinto shrines emphasize different aspects. So Ise Jingu emphasizes the relationship between Shinto and Japan, Fushimi Inari Taisha emphasizes success in commerce and agriculture, and Tsubaki Jinja emphasizes the harmony between humanity, nature, and the Kami.