Mr. Nurenberg's Japan Pages: Japanese
Religion
Most Japanese ascribe to some combination of Shinto
and Buddhist beliefs. As
it was explained to me, Shinto is more a set of practices and worldviews with
roots in ancient animistic beliefs and traditions, while Buddhism constitutes
the faith-based structures. Although most Japanese identify as secular, one
can find a mix of various religious practices everywhere in sight.
The same person may have a wedding at a Christian church and go to a funeral
at a Buddhist temple. A Japanese schoolboy might well pray at a Shinto shrine
to receive a chocolate for St. Valentine's Day, a Christian holiday. Japanese
streets are decorated on Tanabata, Obon, Halloween and Christmas. - Wikipedia.Org,
"Religions of Japan"
Below lie images from our visit to a Shinto shrine in Sapporo:
Below, images from a Buddhist shrine in Nara. The structure
below, we were told, is the largest wooden building anywhere in East Asia:
I
A very, very large Buddha:
Mr. N. by a giant Boddhisatva, for size comparison:
This five-story pagoda is said to house some of the ashes
of the Buddha himself. It's hardly the only padoga worldwide to make this claim...I
guess you'll have to decide what you believe yourself.
A temple atop a mountain in Kyoto:
A peaceful garden...
Contemplate the universe for awhile, and then move on...
Last Updated: 8-30-05
