Shrines & Temples

In Japan there are many Temples and Shrines dotted across Japan

Shrines and Temples hold religious values. They're Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, where people worship. But that doesn't mean non-religious people can't go. Tourists visit these landmarks in hope to understand the culture and to capture the beauty they hold. Where on holidays religious and non-religious alike visit to practice rituals and celebrations.

Temples

There are certain requirements to enter a temple, once you reach the altar you quietly throw a coin into the offering box and ring the bell to greet the deity. Bow twice, and clap twice, which expresses your respect and joy towards the deity.

Religon

Temples hold religious values, as well. They offer Buddhist's a place to meditate, chant, and learn the Dharma. Shrines are religious sites for the Shinto religion. Shrines have incense to purify the surrounding, and to bring forth gods. As well as offering mindfulness and awareness. Shinto must important Kami is the Sun Goddess Amaterasu.

Buddhism's main focus is the path to enlightenment. They strive for this through meditation, good behavior, and physical and or mental labor. They believe in self-control, and overall goodness/gentleness. All these things lead to enlightenment, by cutting out hate, and negativity in life.

Shinto is the indigenous faith of Japan. Shinto gods are called Kami, they are sacred spirits that take forms of life like wind, rain, mountains, trees, and rivers. When humans die they become kami. Shinto doesn't has absolute rights and wrong, because nobody is perfect. Shinto is an optimistic faith, as humans are thought to be fundamentally good, and evil is believed to be caused by evil spirits. Consequently, the purpose of most Shinto rituals is to keep away evil spirits by purification, prayers, and offerings to the kami.

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