Hello everyone! It is the blog How Unique Japan, spreading Japanese uniqueness!
This time, we want to discuss the differences between Japanese Temples and Shrines because many people are usually perplexed when recognizing them.
Please have a look at the details each!
The differences between Temple and Shrine
First of all, each religion is different. Temples should belong to Buddhism, while shrines belong to Shintoism.
Even though many people misunderstand Buddhism as the Japanese religion, it was originally from India.
Followingly, belongings are different. In temples, they have graveyards and a bell (details of the bells are here!).
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 Torii.
The object of worship is different
Moreover, there should be many Buddha statues in temples for its worship.
However, 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 so 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
As already said, Buddhism was from India. The founder was a prince who dropped nobility, Gautam Siddhartha, from the 5th century BC. He challenged a lengthy meditation to fight himself (or demon?) to get enlightenment. After he completed it, he found a religion, Buddhism. It quickly got popularized among the citizens.
The idea for relief from suffering was to accept a change from the past to the future and feel the connection to others (it is a simple briefing. If you want to know more, click here!).
Then, the religion went through India, China, Korea, and Japan around the 6th century (one historical theory says it is 538 AD).
The Japanese emperor Tenno loved and accepted the idea from overseas. Since then, the religion has become one major religion in Japan.
Additionally, the bells in the temples also came at similar times, around 562 AC. However, the connection with the religion is vague.
(Some more info is here!)
From the side of Shintoism, the religion was born with natural worship because we Japanese have paid respect to that beauty. It was born around 300 BC.
So, the Shinto was of Japanese origin and separated from Buddhism when it arrived.
Indeed. Ancient Japanese named it Shinto for recognition and considered it as the original religion in Japan.
(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 worshiping 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.
From the Buddhist side, the disciples must respect all living things because they think every creature has a soul connected.
On the other hand, Shintoism is a religion that respects nature because ancient Japanese believed that any 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) and mix them.
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 might see a lot of 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.
That is why we separated the articles belonging to them.
They are Shrines (Shintoism) and Temples (Buddhism). Do you want to see more uniqueness (unique equipment)? Please visit each article below.
Shrines (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 in the country?
So, the ancient Japanese expressed how the land was born with fairytales or legends. This page is concerned with one about two gods (they are male and female).
It is Izanami (female) and Izanagi (male).
Please look at their story and touch 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, have you seen the statues like dogs standing on both sides of the 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 only one. Foxes can be servants of God or itself. Their name is Inari. So, who are they? What is their duty for humanity?
Check here!.
Have you seen a rope hanging on the entrance gate of Shrines? This rope works as the borderline between spiritual and reality. Why does such an object exist? And how old is it?
Check here!
Dogs can be trained 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!
Temples (Buddhism)
It repeatedly says that religion was originally from India. But there are a lot of differences and gaps between them.
Although the worship is the same (Buddha), how did they get so changed? And what is the goal of the religion?
Please have a look at this page!
Temple’s facilities or amulets
In some religions, the device/equipment that makes a calm sound is essential – for example, a bell in a church.
The temples also have such equipment. It is a Bell. However, the material is different from the church’s one.
See the details and special duty for the bell here!
There are over 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 looks like a round and red bean with a face. It is a familiar talisman in Japan for 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 monk of Buddhism and also a 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!