As in almost all Asian countries, Japan is a country of temples. The temples that you come across at unexpected corners while walking around the streets aroused my interest about the Japanese people’s view of religion. But before looking for an answer to this question, I would like to point out that religion here is interpreted from an individual point of view, not from a social point of view. Religion continues its existence only traditionally without any expectations. Because today more than eighty percent of the Japanese people define themselves as atheists, that is, not affiliated to any faith. But as a society committed to their traditions, they also continue their rituals on special days.
Since we visited different temples on different days during our trip to Japan, I will talk about them all together in this article. One of the most well-known and must-visit temples in Tokyo is Sensoji Buddhist temple in Asakusa. This temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo and is believed to bring luck to the businesses and houses around it. Buddhism came to Japan with the influence of China and Korea. At first, the Japanese had difficulty understanding the complex philosophy of Buddhism, but thanks to the translation of Chinese texts by elites who could read Chinese, they started to learn Buddhism. In fact, the first thing that attracted the Japanese in those days was the visuality and art offered by Buddhism. As far as I can see, the Japanese interest in Buddhism continues in the same direction today.
Another temple that I think is a must-see is Meiji Jingu Shrine Shinto Temple.Located in the heart of the city in a 170-acre park, this temple is actually relatively new. It was completed in 1920 and presented to the Emperor. When you suddenly find yourself among giant evergreen trees in a crowded place like Shibuya, you forget that you are in one of the most crowded cities in the world. This is a Shinto temple. Although it has similarities with Buddhism and has influenced each other throughout history, Shintoism is a different belief system.
Buddhism is a belief system that has its roots in India and spread later on, but Shintoism was born in Japan and developed and spread with Japanese culture and traditions. Shintoism believes in Kami, which is found in various forms in nature. The god Kami may be in the wind, maybe in the rain, maybe sometimes in a river that flows non-stop. After people die, they blend into Kami and meet their ancestors as part of nature. The part of the Shinto system that really interests me is that there is no absoluteness in Shintoism. So there is no absolute truth, there is no absolute evil and good. Everyone is born essentially good, but evil spirits drag people into evil. The important thing is to keep evil spirits away from ourselves. Today, Shintoism still continues traditionally in life, in marriage ceremonies or in a small ritual you do for a house you just moved into, but in life and in nature.
Although missionaries tried to spread Christianity in Japan, they could not gain a foothold in the face of strong traditions. Today, a very small part of the society believes in monotheistic religions and freely fulfills the requirements. Religion has become a part of society, but it is certainly not a power that can direct society on its own.
Thank you for reading. See you in another article.
