No.
Shinto does not have a teacher, instructor, guru or mentor who teaches a specific method, as some religions do. Unlike Buddhism, Christianity, or other religions, Shinto has no dogma, no holy texts and no individual founder.
Shinto, the Way of the Kami, is a mindset and way of living with respect for nature, living things, and our ancestors, instead of a formal religion.
Through attending Matsuri (ceremonies), people learn to express respect and gratitude to the Kami-sama and ancestors, and to live in harmony with them.
To learn more about the basic ideas of Shinto, we have a public YouTube playlist available.
In addition, we hold a Closing Talk for our Shrine Members after most of our online ceremonies, which are livestreamed on YouTube. The Closing Talks are not publicly available. These talks cover a variety of topics related to Shinto, traditional Japanese customs, and aspects of everyday life in Japan.
Because we do not yet have a publicly accessible Shinto Shrine, we are currently holding a fundraiser to re-establish a Shinto Shrine in Los Angeles! Until then, there are only a few rare occasions during the year when people can visit our pop up Shinto Shrine for in-person ceremonies and events.
You might also like:
I’m new to Shinto. How can I get started?
Are there recommended books on Shinto?
Shrine Etiquette and How to Pray
