Temples vs Shrines
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Temples vs Shrines
by Athan D |
All of us had certain expectations of what Japan
may look like before we actually got here. I know I did. Out of being
the Hi-tech gadget heaven for those enthusiasts of the Japanese electronics
world, I actually wanted to see more of the traditional part of Japan.
Particularly, its temples, and also, now that I know there is a difference,
its shrines.
I was lucky enough to be located in Nipponbashi, right in the middle
of everything. Among all the entertainment around Namba and Shinsaibashi,
I found endless temples around my area, all within stroll distance
or a short bicycle ride. Shortly after I discovered that there are
differences between temples and shrines. Not only that, I also started
to notice that Shintoism and Buddhism are not exclusive of each other.
Instead both are celebrated or practiced by the japanese depending
on the occasion.
Born and raised as a catholic but being exposed to other religions
while growing up in the South of Spain (Islamic and jewish influences
are still vivid in my beloved city of Sevilla), I was terribly confused
when I moved to the US and discovered that so many versions of Christianism
existed. And, although they all derived from the same believes, same
God, and sacred scriptures, they are exclusive of each other. Well,
such a thing does not happen in Japan and this made me look more into
it.
Well, Shinto religion is practiced in Shinto shrines and Buddhism
is practiced in Buddhist temples. So far that makes sense. Generally,
Buddhist temples are more elaborate in its architectural form due
to its Chinese influences. Some see a resemblance with Chinese architecture
in Buddhist temples. Shinto shrines have simple rectangular structures
with upright wooden supports, pitched gables and crossbeams covered
with deeply thatched rice straw that is replaced ever so many years.
A shrine is called a Jinja ¿À¼Ò¡¡and a temple is ¤ª»û . As an entrance to the grounds
of a shrine there is a torii gate that rises several meters high
(some incredibly higher than others). It is a passage from the mundane
world into the realm of the transcendent. Now, I don¡Çt know if this
is right, but I have been told that if you are not a Shinto or Buddhist,
you should go around the torii instead of through it. I¡Çll leave
that up to you.
Once you¡Çve gone through or around the torii there is the temizuya/chouzuya,
where one must wash his or her hands using ladles with long sticks.
This is for the purpose of purifying oneself before entering the
premises. You may also notice at the entrance to figures that could
easily resemble lions flanking both sides of the entrance to a shrine.
They are called ¡Èa¡É and ¡Èun¡É and they guard the shrine. You may
also see statues of foxes once inside, and they protect the spirits
that inhabit the premises of the shrine, like the spirit of really
old trees that grow inside the premises. The main sanctuary is called
honden and it houses the shintai, the sacred image of the resident
kami. Here, you¡Çll find an offering box where you can toss a coin
(preferably a 5\ coin as tossing a 10\ coin may bring your future
much later since 10 in japanese is also pronounced ¡Èto¡É which can
¡Èfar¡É), pull a really thick rope to summon the deity, clap your
hands twice and say a prayer. You may or may not notice that Shinto
shrines usually face toward the south, or sometimes east, but never
north or west.
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On your way out, make another offering, and pull a long thin
stick out of a wooden box which depicts a number. That number will
lead you to a drawer or box from which you should pull out your
omikuji, fortune-telling message. Fortunes are classified in four
types. Dai-kichi (great good fortune), kichi (good fortune), shou-kichi
(middling good fortune), and kyou (bad luck). If you are satisfied
with your luck, you may take it home with you, but if you are not
so fond of what you got, fold it, and tie it to a tree. Supposedly
this means that you leave such unpleasant fortune for some other
existence or maybe spirit to worry about it.
Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan and was originated from
the believe that each clan in Japan had its own kami (God). Shinto
is devoted to affairs of worldly existence, thus, blessing of children,
prayers for success in business and virtually all marriages are
celebrated in Shinto shrines whereas funerals are carried in Buddhist
temples.
Buddhism, on the other hand, was originated in India by Prince Siddhartha
(Buddha, or enlightened one), and then imported into Japan through
Korea in the 6th century. Buddhism is based on the idea that all
suffering in life comes from desire. Suppression of desire will
eventually lead to a state of nirvana where desire is extinct and
we are free from its delusion.
There are tons of history behind both religions that would cover
much more than what has already been written. If you want to look
more into it, there are tons of books that cover this in bookstores
that sell foreign books like Junkudo, or you may find lots of good
info on the internet. Allow me to just mention some of the most
popular shrines and temples I personally like:
Heian Shrine
The shrine of Peace and Tranquility, in Kyoto.
Kasuga
Shrine
One of Japan¡Çs most famous shrines located on a hilltop in the ancient
city of Nara.
Sumiyoshi
Taisha Shrine
The best way to get there is to take the Nankai train to Yumiyoshi-taisha
Station. I recently visited that shrine this past weekend and I
loved it! The bridge there is really famous because it resembles
the shape of a Taiko (traditional japanese drum).
Todaiji Temple
In Nara Here you¡Çll find the Great Buddha. An immense figure of
Buddha resides in this temple, which in order to house it is 160
feet tall, making it the largest wooden structure in the world and
the image the largest bronze Buddha ever cast.
Ryoanji
Temple of the Peaceful Dragon, in Kyoto.
Kyomizudera
The temple of Clear Water, in Kyoto. From this temple you can get
an astonishing view of the beautifully historical city of Kyoto.
It is famous for its three freshwater fountains which are believed
to have healing powers.
Kinkakuji
The temple of the Golden Pavilion, in Kyoto. One of the most beautiful
and famous temples in all of Japan. It was a retirement home built
for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, then dedicated as a Buddhist
temple which would later be set on fire by a priest. What stands
there now is an exact replica of the gold leaf covered, three-story
pavilion that it once was.
Horyuji
A 7th century building located in Nara. It is the world¡Çs oldest
wooden building.
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