What is the difference between temples and shrines in Japan?
Many people who have visited Japan might have asked themselves this question at least once. Even among Japanese people, while it is generally understood that temples and shrines are different, many aren't quite sure what the difference is.
First and foremost, both temples and shrines are religious facilities.
Some might think, "Japan is a Buddhist country, so aren't both temples and shrines Buddhist facilities, used for different purposes or rituals?" This is half correct and half incorrect.
Temples are Buddhist facilities. On the other hand, Shrines are facilities of a different religion called Shinto.
Distinguishing between them is quite simple. A shrine will have a "torii" gate at its entrance, as shown in the picture. Anything without a torii gate can be considered a temple.
However, some visitors to Japan may have noticed temples within shrines or shrines within temples. Why is that, since they belong to different religions? And what exactly is Shinto?
What is Shinto?
Shinto is an indigenous belief that has existed in Japan since ancient times. Unlike Christianity or Buddhism, it has no clear doctrines or scriptures. Shinto is a faith that venerates the gods (known as "Yaoyorozu no Kami") who are believed to dwell in all things around us and serve as guides for daily life and customs. Some people even argue that it is not a religion.
Incidentally, the central deity of Shinto, as represented in Japanese mythology, is Amaterasu Omikami, and the Japanese imperial family are said to be her descendants. The Emperor is also the highest priest of Shinto and continues to conduct religious ceremonies to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation and its people.
In the mid-6th century, Buddhism was introduced to this land of myriad gods.
What happened next?
When Buddhism was introduced to Japan, a land with a polytheistic tradition, it naturally led to conflict. "How dare they bring a foreign god to Japan, a land with its own indigenous deities!" some exclaimed. However, Buddhism at that time was regarded more as a source of advanced culture and technology from the continent rather than purely a religion. Embracing this new culture and technology was seen as a way to enhance Japan’s international standing. Without the skills to build temples and create Buddhist statues, Buddhism could not have spread.
Eventually, the Emperor himself came to accept Buddhism. However, accepting Buddhism did not mean abandoning the Shinto gods that had long been worshipped. There is a famous story of a monk who, when building a temple, respectfully enshrined the local gods who had been worshipped on the land for generations.
In this way, Buddhism, an imported religion, and the native Shinto deities came to coexist harmoniously within the same spaces.
From ancient times, Japan has had the ability to skillfully blend foreign cultures with its own.
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