The Journey of a Shinto Scholar

In ancient Kyoto, a Shinto scholar seeks spiritual purity through repeated pilgrimages to Hie Shrine. He avoids contact with those he deems impure, fearing defilement. However, when he helps a grieving woman bury her mother, he fears he has corrupted his journey. A medium later reveals that his act of kindness was not corruption, teaching him that contamination and corruption are distinct. Enlightened, he continues his journey, helping others and seeing beauty in the spirit world.

What motivated the scholar to embark on his pilgrimage to the Hie Shrine?

• To escape the city life

• To seek spiritual purity

• To meet the kami

• To find solitude

What did the scholar begin to sense during his repeated pilgrimages?

• The pollution of the city

• The kami in nature

• The weight of kegare

• The presence of other pilgrims

Why did the scholar initially hesitate to help the grieving woman?

• He was in a hurry

• He was afraid of the dark

• He feared defilement

• He did not trust her

What did the medium reveal to the scholar at the shrine?

• His kindness was appreciated

• He should avoid the city

• He needed more purification

• He was forsaken by the kami

What realization did the scholar come to after his encounter with the medium?

• Purity is only achieved through isolation

• Kindness can transcend contamination

• The city is inherently impure

• Contamination and corruption are the same

How did the scholar's approach to his journey change after his realization?

• He returned to the city permanently

• He stopped visiting the shrine

• He began helping others

• He avoided all human contact

What did the scholar see in the city after his transformation?

• Only pollution and noise

• The beauty of the spirit world

• A place to avoid

• A source of kegare

What did others caution the scholar about after his change in behavior?

• He was losing his way

• He was wasting his time

• He was risking his health

• He was risking kegare

Why did the scholar not explain his actions to others?

• He wanted to keep it a secret

• He was forbidden to speak

• He believed they wouldn't understand

• He was ashamed

What does the scholar believe is necessary for true understanding of harae?

• A strict adherence to rules

• A journey of one's own

• Avoiding all contamination

• Living in solitude