About Japan
Visiting a Shrine
When visiting a temple or shrine there are certain rituals that you should know about.
Temple Rituals
Usually when you enter the sacred Buddhist Otera temple ground, some ritual cleansing takes place.
This is either done by washing your hands, drinking the sacred water, or burning incense and blowing smoke towards the head and hands.
Deer may be walking freely around the grounds of a temple and are viewed as messengers of the gods.
Shrine Rituals
Visitors to a Shinto shrine pass through a Torii gate, and approach the central area where the gods are housed.
They must ring the bell and clap their hands loudly to attract the attention of the gods.
Then a short prayer is offered, a wish is made, and coins are tossed into the donation box.
In the grounds there are usually shops selling good luck tokens and charms.
Religions in Japan
There are 2 main religions in Japan. The religion of Buddhism was founded by Buddha Shakyamuni who lived and taught in India some 2000 years ago. Buddhism focuses on finding truth for yourself and on practice rather than belief.
The other religion is Shinto. Shinto is a religion where believers worship gods of nature or their ancestors. Shinto does not have a founder nor does it have sacred scriptures like the Bible.
