Japanese Temples

Japanese Temples, along with Shinto shrines, can be scene almost everywhere throughout Japan. These Buddhist temples, or tera in Japanese, often also have shrines in them as well.

I often like to say that Japan is a syncretic society that thrives in the gray areas. Stemming from religion, we can see that Japan blended both Buddhism and Shinto nature and kami (gods) worship, otherwise known as shinbutsu shugo. Originally these two religious concepts influenced each other and mixed well. Hence, even today you can often see small shrines inside a Japanese temple or a larger one right next to it.

The official separation of the two came about in 1868 when the government wanted to claim Shinto as the national religion and ordered shinbutsu bunri, or the separation of Gods and Buddhas.

The function of the Japanese temple often serves a different purpose than that of a Christian church for example. Weekly masses are not held and a periodic gathering of parishioners does not take place.

The temple serves as a place to protect and store sacred Buddhist items such as statues and calligraphy. At Taimadera Temple in Nara for example, the original Taima Mandala is still stored there. However, with a history of over 1,000 years, it is not shown to the public because of its deteriorated condition. Instead, replicas are displayed.

Therefore, many temples with sacred items or rooms only open them to the general public for a few days a year, as not to disturb the quality of the artifacts.

The Garden Style

Some events are held at temples for their worshipers and the public, but they often take on a feeling of a festival. Also, at Buddhist temples, unlike churches, there are often live-in monks or monks training there. Rituals are performed daily, but often behind closed doors. Especially in esoteric schools such as Shingon Buddhism or Shugendo mountain aestheticism, things are taught on a one-on-one basis and not geared for the public.

Many temples take on the atmosphere of a pilgrimage spot. Rather than having large congregations with a sermon, many people either gather at holiday times or make private trips or pilgrimages.

My temple in Nara offers a prayer service for Michibiki Kanon (11-Headed Kanon) on the 16th of every month, as well as a Goma fire ceremony on the 1st. Other than that, individuals visit for private worship or blessings, such as a blessing for the safe birth of a child, or visit to admire the beautiful Japanese stroll garden (Koguen).

There are various styles of architecture but one of the most common is that of esoteric influenced Wayo Style. Japanese temples at Mt. Koya are examples of this style, which relies on natural timber (often local) and a focus on simplicity. Wanting to differentiate themselves from the often highly ornamented Chinese temples, they aim for a more natural rustic (wabi-sabi) look.

Koguen Japanese Temple Garden
Japanese Gardens
Visit Isuien Gardens in Nara
Visit Yokokan Gardens in Fukui
"Kurofune" Shakuhachi Music Page