Japanese Religion

Shinto and Buddhism are the most prominent religions that are practiced in Japan, or at any rate a strong sense of connection to. Within these religions there is spiritual attachment to hope, luck and such that the shape the factors of life.

Shinto can be called a religion and can be called somewhat an ideology because there is not so much a focus on the afterlife but on how to live one’s life and living through purity and cleansing. Shinto is not based upon a superior being with a perfect realm after, but by the beliefs in many gods and the philosophy of their stories and creation. In Shinto these aspects are supposed to be taken to heart and practiced everyday and even activities of fortune telling.

Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or Buddha, but the aesthetics of purity, devotion, daily meditation, and awareness of one’s own actions are also important Righteous paths and application of spiritually in everyday activities are also characteristics that reflect on self power and purity with Buddhism.

Currently in Japan a strong practice of religion is not very common and seems that in these modern days the only time when it is very visible and important to the Japanese culture are on special holidays such as New Years and matsuris; festivals where there are rituals and ceremonies based off the spirituality of these religions.

Although that I see every day, every time I pass a group of people I see constant application of religion, a small but always existing form of belief.

Charms and omamori/お守り, which means honorable protector, are everywhere. Generally these are bought at Buddhism and Shinto shrines, temples and etc…and they are supposed to bring good luck and fortune and even keep the holder away from bad luck. These charms and omamori are made for many occasions and situations ranging from love life, school/business, all the way to health and protection.

But what is interesting is that in a society were religion is not practiced intensely, these symbols are constantly being used and believed in? Cell phones, bags, and cars are all places where these can be seen most often.

The first two pictures are ones of charms, one for love and other meaning a bond for friendship between the giver and receiver.

The second two are omamori, which inside the cloth is a prayers written inside.

Besides the first one which is from Kiyomizu Dera in Kyoto the others were either hanging from cell phones or bag straps.

Despite their cultural background I wonder why these are so popular and important.Is it that in Japanese society wishing and hope is the same as the charms being and application of encouragement and even safety for life’s complexities?

…However, when I asked my Japanese friends they quickly answered that they can not merely do these things (school, love, hard work, etc)

... alone.

And maybe that realization of benefiting yourself means a connection to something else, existing together.

Links:

http://www.sonic.net/~anomaly/japan/mamoru.htm

http://www.khulsey.com/travel/japan_kyoto_kiyomizu-temple.html