Recently, I've visited a few different shrines and temples. Tera Machi in Kurume, where there are 17 different temples representing six different schools of Buddhism, Kora Shrine and Ukiha Inari Shrine. All beautiful sacred spaces, but what is the difference between a shrine and a temple?
Japan's spiritual landscape is shaped by two major traditions, Shinto and Buddhism. Both have a long history in Japan.
Shinto is the indigenous belief system of Japan, it's rooted in ancient nature worship. There is evidence that Shinto practices go back to the Neolithic period. Over centuries, shrines were formalised as places to honour kami, spirits associated with natural features, ancestors and local deities. The Emperor of Japan is the head of the Shinto Religion. The enthronement ceremony is based on Shintoism.
A Shinto shrine has tori gates. Most tori gates are red; a few are a natural colour.
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| Tori gates at Ukiha Inari Shrine |
Before you enter the gate, you should bow. Also, when leaving, you offer a bow. There is a place to wash your hands before offering prayers. The two main structures in a shrine are offering halls (haiden) and main sanctuaries (honden).
Seasonal festivals are held at shrines. Also, there are purification rituals and community celebrations.
Some of the most famous shrines are the Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture, which is dedicated to Amaterasu, the sun goddess and Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, which is famous for its thousands of tori gates.
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| Part of the Fushimi Inari Taisha that I visited a few years ago. |
Buddhism entered Japan in the 6th century from China and Korea, it bought new philosophies, rituals and artistic traditions. Temples became centres of learning, mediation and political influence.
The entrance to a temple is through sanmon gate. There is a main hall (kondo), pagodas, statues of Buddha and gardens.
One of the most famous temples is Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo.
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| Senso Ji Temple |
I would like to visit there, but every time I look at photos or videos of the area, the crowds seem overwhelming!
One thing that puzzled me when I first came was seeing what looked like the Nazi swastika on maps indicating where a temple was. The original symbol is called the manji (卍), which is a sacred emblem representing good fortune, eternity and the footprints of the Buddha. The Nazis took this symbol and reversed it, making it a symbol of hatred and violence.
I've been to a few temples and shrines near here, but there are so many more to explore.
I hope that, as the weather improves, before it gets too hot to go out, I can visit a few of these places!
