Across the street from our Ryokan in Kyoto, there stood an
impressive looking temple-Higashi Hongan Ji Temple. Not having
much time to explore Kyoto, we decided to get up early the following morning to
go have a look before heading off to our next big destination.
The streets of Kyoto were still at six in the morning. We walked over, slipped off our shoes and
walked up the steep wooden stairs to peek inside the temple. Beautiful chanting was drifting through the
open doors. A service was taking
place. The temple members and the
Buddhist monks steady chants were lovely.
It is especially at times such as this that wish I knew more
about Buddhism. We have learned a bit
about religion in Japan, but I still feel like I know next to nothing. I do know that the two prominent religions in
Japan are Buddhism and Shintoism. Most
religious Japanese people practice both religions.
I have heard that Shintoism is the religion of life. All celebrations including life-new life,
marriages, etc.-are celebrated in the Shinto tradition. In fact, there are no funerals held at Shinto
Shrines. Buddhism takes care of life
after death. Funerals are held at
Buddhist Temples. The cremated bodies
are placed in the burial grounds that can be found at every Buddhist Temple.
If you have any good recommendations of books on this subject, please leave me a note!
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