Temples & Shrines
Japan is well known to have a great many wonderful and beautiful Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines. Only until about a year before I arrived here, I was unaware of the significant difference.
Temples are Japanese Buddhist, and Shrines are Japanese Shinto.. They belong to and are important places for two separate but generally complimentary beliefs.
There are around 80,000 Buddhist Temples, and around 100,000 Shinto Shrines throughout Japan.
What is the Difference?
I cannot even try to claim to be an expert on the matter, but for the purpose of this post I will briefly mention the most obvious differences.
Buddhism was imported into Japan during the 6th century, while Shintoism is native to and has it’s roots in a much older, pre-Japanese time. Japan, before unification, consisted of a number of tribal kingdoms. Although the exact date for the beginning of Shintoism as it is recognised today maybe somewhat undefined, it is from this pre-Japanese time which the core beliefs and practices of early Shintoism originate.
The simplest way to explain the difference between these two beliefs is that Buddhism is more concerned with the soul and afterlife, whereas Shintoism focusses on the spirituality of this world and this life.
Its these fundamental but distinctly separate concerns which, in my opinion, have facilitated a generally harmonious coexistence between the two for such a long a time. It is quite common for Japanese today to visit and pray at both Shinto Shrines, and Buddhist Temples. In fact there are a number a Temples which include Shrines in the same complex, the most well known possibly being SensÅ-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo.
The Kami
The Kami are the spiritual deities of Shinto, to call them gods is, in my understanding, not entirely accurate. However, from a Western mindset, gods is probably the most appropriate way to describe Kami. Unlike with monotheistic beliefs, the Kami have a more natural and animalistic origin. In this respect, Kami are more specific to singular, but sometimes multiple interests, for example. Yaoyorozu-no-Kami inhabits the spirit of all of the matters, events beyond the reach of human knowledge and all things, and exists to provide hints and guidance for coexisting with nature.
Every mountain has a soul and Yama-no-Kami inhabits and can bring things perceived as both positive and negative. For example, protection when climbing, and volcanic eruptions.
To put it simply, if there is something significantly important to the daily life of the Japanese individual, community or culture, there is probably a Kami to recognise as being the “god” of it.
Animalistic beliefs often employ this mindset as it allows the individual to put spiritual energy into any given specific task or aspect, and either ask for blessing or give thanks for it. To the monotheistic mindset, “God” is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful. To the polytheistic mindset, each “God” is focused and precise in purpose.
My First Shrine Visit
So, I visited a Shinto Shrine for the first time. It was an honour and a privilege to walk through the Tori gate and up the winding tree lined path. It is a place where many visit to seek blessings over and give thanks for daily aspects of life, safety and prosperity.
It is a stunningly beautiful and peaceful place, nestled amongst the roads and businesses of the area around it. One can escape the contemporary world and spend a few moments in quiet contemplation or meditation. It is in places such as this where the human physical can be at one with the human spiritual. We as physical-spiritual beings often struggle to reconcile our fast, materialistic life with the other. Yet, for the few moments I spent walking up to and then praying at this shrine, for the first time, I couldn’t help but feel a little closer. It is my hope that through more visits to this place and others, I may gain a greater understanding and connection of and to my spiritual being.
Visiting A Shrine
Bow once before entering through the Tori Gate. Keep to the left as you walk through, as the centre is reserved for the Kami.
Clean and purify hands and mouth before offering and praying to the Kami.
Praying at a Shrine
Place offering into the box, this is typically a 5 Yen coin, as the word for 5 Yen in Japanese “go-en” caries with it some significance regarding bonds/relationships and is believed to bolster that relationship between the individual and the Kami. However there is no strict rule on this, an offering of any amount/denomination is perfectly fine..
If a bell is present, ring it to get the attention of the Kami.
Bow twice.
Clap hands twice, with the right hand slightly lower than the left. Hold your hands together in this way while praying.
Your prayer may be silent, you will still be heard.
Bow once more.
After leaving the gate, turn around a bow a final time.
