2. Buddhist Temples
Temples are the places of worship in Japanese
Buddhism. Virtually every Japanese
municipality has at least one temple, while
large cultural centers like Kyoto have several
thousands.
Temples store and display sacred Buddhist
objects. Some temples used to be monasteries,
and some still function as such. Structures
typically found at Japanese temples are:
3. Main Hall
Lecture halls are for meetings and
lectures and often also display
objects of worship. Lecture halls
are called kodo.
Lecture Hall
The sacred objects of worship,
such as statues, are displayed in
the main hall. Main halls are
called kondo, hondo, butsuden,
amidado or hatto in Japanese.
4. Pagoda
Gates mark the entrance to the
temple grounds. There is usually
one main gate, and possibly several
additional gates, along the temple's
main approach.
Gates
The pagoda, a structure that has
evolved from the Indian stupa, usually
comes with three (sanju no to) or five
(goju no to) stories. Pagodas store
remains of the Buddha such as a tooth,
usually in form of a representation.
5. Bells
Most cemeteries in Japan are Buddhist
and are located at a temple. The
Japanese visit their ancestors' graves
on many occasions during the year,
especially during the obon week, the
equinoctial weeks and anniversaries.
Cemetery
On New Year's Eve, temple bells are
rung 108 times, corresponding to the
Buddhist concept of 108 worldly
desires.
6. Lists of famous temples
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2058.html
12. Matsushima
Zuiganji Temple
One of Tohoku's
most famous Zen
temples.
Entsuin Temple
Mausoleum of a
lord's son, next to
Zuiganji.
Godaido
Small temple hall
and symbol of
Matsushima.
13. Tokyo
Sensoji Temple
Large temple in the
Asakusa district.
Sengakuji Temple
Site of the 47
ronin's graveyard.
Zojoji Temple
Buddhist temple at
the base of Tokyo
Tower.
