Final answer:
While early Shinto does not explicitly outline moral teachings in a single scripture, it encompasses a sense of morality through respect for the kami, ritual purity, and community harmony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that moral teaching is not emphasized in early Shinto may not fully capture the essence of Shinto beliefs and practices. Shintoism, the indigenous spirituality of Japan, is a complex set of beliefs that indeed include moral dimensions, though they may not be outlined as explicitly as in some other religious or philosophical systems. Instead of a single written scripture, Shinto encompasses a worldview that respects the kami, or divine spirits, believed to reside in nature. Through ritual practices and a strong connection to natural surroundings, Shinto adherents embody a sense of morality that focuses on purity, sincerity, and maintaining harmony with both the spiritual and physical world.
Shinto rituals emphasize proper conduct and cleanliness, which can be seen as a form of moral expression, conveying respect and reverence towards the kami. Additionally, these rituals and the veneration of ancestors also foster a sense of community and continuity, which are important aspects of Shintoism's moral undercurrents.
Though Shintoism may not emphasize moral teachings in the same manner as philosophies like Confucianism, which explicitly addresses moral and social order, it does integrate a form of ethics within its practices and approach to life. Thus, the early Shinto faith, while not overtly prescriptive in terms of morality, still contains an inherent system of values and ethics that are expressed through actions and attitudes towards nature and society.