How did buddhism and Shinto blend together?

Answer 1

Shintoism and Buddhism blend relatively well. Buddhism does not have a well-developed doctrine on the supernatural, which Shintoism does have. By contrast, Shintoism does not have a well-developed system of orthopraxis, which Buddhism has. As a result, most Japanese people have historically prayed to the Shinto gods and observed Buddhist ritual.

When Christianity was introduced to Japan, the one aspect that really caught on for the Japanese was Christian weddings, which they thought were very beautiful and much less expensive than traditional Shinto weddings. As a result, the Japanese have integrated the Christian wedding into their traditional life cycle events, but without importing any of the religious theology that goes with it.

While it is possible to be a Buddhist and a Christian (although there are questions about covenant of grace vs. seeking enlightenment and reincarnation vs. eternal heavenly bliss/damnation) it is not very common. Additionally, it is impossible to be both Shinto and Christian since Shintoism is a clearly polytheistic faith and Christianity refuses to dignify the existence of any god but God.

Answer 2

The two religions emphasize different components. Buddhism has been termed an "apatheist" practical religion. There are a number of daily practices and meditations that person should do and ethics to which a person should adhere in Buddhism, but Buddhism does not care about nor seek to answer the question of what gods exist. Conversely, Shintoism has an elaborate pantheon of gods, but practically no rituals except for a few holidays. There is no strong system of ethics in Shinto. As a result, you can fuse Shinto gods and the few Shinto holidays onto a general, daily Buddhist behavior of meditating and ethical behavior.

Answer 3

Buddhists built shrines to kami, and Shintoists enshrined bodhisattvas.

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Answer 4

Shinto