The differences between Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan

  • Published on : 17/05/2024
  • by : R.A. / J.R.
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Japan is home to two major religions that have coexisted for centuries: Shintoism, the indigenous animist religion, and Buddhism, imported from China in the 6th century. Despite a certain historical syncretism, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines differ in their beliefs, architecture and customs. For the uninitiated visitor, it's not always easy to tell them apart at first glance. However, a closer look reveals a number of distinctive features.

The heart of a shrine consists of two buildings. The haiden is the prayer hall, open to the faithful. Here, they meditate, make an offering and ring a bell to summon the deity. The honden, reserved for the officiants, holds the object of worship embodying the kami (mirror, relic...). The two buildings are often linked by a covered corridor, the heiden.

Animal statues often guard the sanctuary: the komainu. These are two protective lions placed on either side of the entrance. One is open-mouthed, the other closed, symbolizing birth and death. Messenger foxes (kitsune) are associated with the shrines of Inari, kami of the harvest.

The torii, portal of a sanctuary

The torii, portal to a sanctuary

Pixabay

The chozuya

Le chôzuya

Flickr DJ Anderson, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

Ema plaques

Ema votive plaques

Flickr Travel Oriented, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Another distinctive feature is the pagoda. This odd-numbered tower is heir to the Indian stūpa. It serves as a reliquary and symbolizes the stages on the road to enlightenment. The oldest are made of wood, the most recent of stone. Dome-shaped roofs are topped by ornamental pillars.

A temple usually has one or more landscaped gardens, spaces for meditation and contemplation, inviting you to empty yourself. The most famous is undoubtedly the dry garden at Ryōan-ji in Kyoto, the quintessential Zen garden with its carefully raked white gravel carpet and 15 rocks.

A Japanese pagoda

A Japanese pagoda

Pixabay

Large gate at the entrance of Todai-ji

Large door at the entrance to Todai-ji

Flickr Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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