Shrines and Temples Shrines and Temples
By Jack
The shrine is the most important thing inthe Shinto religion!
A Shinto shrine is an enclosed
area containing a wooden sanctuary and
several buildings where Shinto ceremonies are performed. Every
NewYear shrines let people pray for another good year. At the
entrance stands a Torii which is a large gate. A wooden box
stands in front of the haiden to receive money offerings. A
typical medium size shrine might be laid out as follows: Toward
the rear of the shrine is a area which is often rectangular and
surrounded by a fence marking it off as sanctified ( that means a
place where only the priest can go.) A fence is in front. The
people throw money over the fence. No two shrine buildings are
exactly alike. In some shrines the haiden and honden are very far
apart. Some shrines are put together and they're all as important
as each other. Some shrines have a storehouse to keep mikoshi
until a festival is performed. There are many shrines in Tokyo.
When you go to shrines you see a temizuya (that's a place to wash
your hands) before you go into the shrine. Shrines are very quiet
and peaceful. In the back of shrines there are places for
cemeteries. If the people want a shrine for a mountain, hot
spring or waterfall, they only have a wooden box. In city areas
it helps people to feel like a community. The first temple was
Mukuharadera which was built when Soga no Iname converted the
residence of Mukuhara into a Buddhist temple. The first temple
for religion was built in 596 by Soga no Iname and was named
Asukadera. Today there are over 77,000 temples of various sects
in Japan. Wherever you go you would probably see a shrine or
temple because there are so many!