Hello everyone! It is the blog: How Unique Japan. We are spreading Japanese uniqueness!
This time, we will discuss the differences between Shintoism (Shrines) and Buddhism (temples).
Many people often feel confused when trying to identify them.
Surprisingly, some Japanese do.
The differences between Temple and Shrine
First of all, each religion is different. Temples should belong to Buddhism, while shrines belong to Shintoism.
Although some people mistakenly associate Buddhism with Japan, it originated in India.
Followingly, belongings are different. In temples, they have graveyards and a bell.
(Details of the bells are on this page!)
Shinto(ism), a form of nature worship, is a unique Japanese religion.
And the unique equipment/belonging to the shrine is undoubtedly a gate/entrance called the Torii gate.
The object of worship is different
Moreover, there should be many Buddha statues in temples for their worship.
On the other hand, the shrines have varied objects of faith, depending on what each shrine worships, such as a waterfall, a mirror, an ancient tree, or a pond. Each shrine has a unique object.
Surprisingly, one shrine worship is AIR
or
The way of worship is also different
Additionally, the way to glorify them is different. The Buddha statues are always open to everyone visiting the temples.
The objects for Shinto worship are usually behind curtains or sliding doors with lattices (if the object is small, like a mirror). So, we always greet the Gods of Shintoism over those shields.
Why? It is forbidden to see such sacred objects. Pay our respects.
Oh dear, there are many differences between them, although they still have discrepancies. Why are they like that? Have a look at both main ideas (from origins).
The different perspectives to see the world
We said at the beginning of this article that Buddhism originated in India.
OK. Then, who is the founder?
The founder was a prince who dropped nobility, Gautam Siddhartha, from the 5th century BC. He challenged a lengthy meditation to fight himself (or a demon?) to get enlightenment. After he completed it, he found a religion, Buddhism. It quickly got popularized among the citizens.
The idea of relief from suffering was to accept a change from the past to the future and feel connections to others (it is a simple briefing. If you want to know more, click here!).
Then, the religion spread through India, China, and Korea.
Japan imported this religion around the 6th century (one historical theory says it was 538 AD).
The Japanese emperor, Tenno, loved and accepted the idea from overseas. Since then, Buddhism has become one of the major religions in Japan.
Additionally, the bells in the temples also came at similar times, around 562 AD. However, the connection with the religion is vague.
(Some more info is here!)
Then, how was Shintoism born?
The religion emerged from natural worship because we Japanese have paid respect to that (nature’s) beauty. It was born around 300 BC.
Indeed. Shinto is of Japanese origin. The ancient Japanese referred to their original religion as Shinto, recognizing it as a fundamental part of their culture.
(Do you want to read some stories from Shintoism? Click here!)
It is why there are different objects of faith. If villagers in old times settled down near a river, they would idolize it as a God.
Interestingly, there was a religion that worshiped Mt. Fuji.
How did the ancient Japanese accept Buddhism?
Wait a minute.
Conflicts concerned with religion have historically posed significant challenges for humanity, as opposing sides often seek to dominate one another.
How did the temples (Buddhism) and the shrines (Shintoism) coexist harmoniously?
The key is compatibility.
Each has several roots. However, both mainly have common sense.
They deeply respect nature.
In the lesson of Buddhism, the disciples must respect all living things because they suggest that every creature has a soul, which somehow connects to all (including us).
On the other hand, Shintoism is a religion that respects nature because ancient Japanese believed that natural objects had souls, for example, stones, rocks, trees, rivers, and mountains.
Thus, it was not hard for the ancient Japanese to accept a different religion (Buddhism).
It also affected some legends. Both religions have a common enemy. Monsters and villains usually.
Japanese demons, Oni, are a good example.
What more?
You saw many differences between them.
However, it is not over yet!
Worships and ways to pray are not the same. So, how about the facilities? Of course, they are not.
They are Shrines (Shintoism) and Temples (Buddhism).
Do you want to see more uniqueness (unique equipment)?
Please visit each article below.
Shintoism
●What is Shintoism? (The first legend/story of the religion)
The article is about the beginning of Japan itself.
Do you remember that Shintoism is the original religion?
The ancient Japanese managed to understand how the land was born with this religion.
Such an imagination created fairy tales or legends. This page is concerned with one legend about two gods (they are male and female).
It is Izanami (female) and Izanagi (male).
Please read their story and acknowledge the surface of the religion from here!
●Amaterasu Omikami (main deity)
Do not get it wrong. Izanami and Izanagi are not protagonists of the religion.
This article is about the main deity of the religion, Amaterasu. Surprisingly, it is GODDES.
This page also shows how she became the top and troubles from that.
Check it out here!
Shrine’s facility or amulets
In the shrine area, there should be two statues of dogs sitting on both sides of the Torii entrance.
They are guardian dogs protecting sacred areas (shrines). However, their appearance is more like a lion than a dog.
Why do they look like that? And What do they mean?
Check here!
The dog is not one of the servants. Foxes can also be servants of God or themselves. Their name is Inari. So, who are they? What is their duty to humanity?
Check here!.
Have you seen a rope hanging on the entrance gate of the Shrines? This rope serves as the boundary between the spiritual and the real. Why does such an object exist? And how old is it?
Check here!
Dogs can be guardians. Then, Cats can be good talismans. Why not?
So, we Japanese have such a talisman originating from a CAT. It is a Beckoning cat. The talisman has a special meaning for the Japanese because they believe it would bring happiness with a raised and waving paw. Moreover, they (cats) have a memorial service after their duty in a shrine.
See more details here!
Buddhism
It repeatedly says that religion originated in India. But there are a lot of differences and gaps between us (Japan and India).
Although the worship is the same (the Buddha), how did they change? And what is the goal of the religion?
Please have a look at this page!
Temple’s facilities or amulets
In some religions, equipment that produces a calming sound, such as a bell in a church, is essential.
The temples also have such equipment. It is a Bell. However, the material is different from the church’s bell.
See the details and special duty for the bell here!
There are thousands of Buddha statues in Japan. Why do we have so many? And what are the features in each?
Check here!
●Daruma (talisman for celebration)
You might have seen a strange doll. It seems a big red bean with a face.
He is a familiar talisman in Japan of celebration and success in any business.
The design of this item originates from a monk in ancient times.
It is Daruma. He was a great Buddhist monk and the founder of Zen meditation/training.
So then, how did he become a talisman? And what was the story behind it?
Check them out here!
He should be the most famous demons/monster in Japan. It is Oni. The appearance is surprisingly similar to the demon in any western countries.
However, there is one big difference between them.
What is it? Click here!
Have you seen a Japanese funeral?
A Japanese monk always uses it when they chant the sutra.
Why do they use it like a drum? And what does it mean? Read it!
To close
There are a few differences between them. Indeed. This article is the tip of the iceberg.
If you want to know more about Japanese religion(s), we have another topic: Shintoism. Please take a look.
Moreover, our blog has some more information about Japanese uniqueness.
Are you interested in that? Please visit the front page here!
OK! Time to leave. Thank you so much for reading this article!
See you for the next article!