Buddhist Temple Guide

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Explanation | Features | How to Visit

Buddhist Temples have certain characteristics to them. There are staple buildings and features. This page will attempt to explain those things and show them with pictures from various temples in Japan. It will also offer a guide in how to attend a Buddhist temple.

Buddhist Temple Features
Typical Features of Buddhist Temples and Pictures of them.
Main Hall | Lecture Hall | Pagoda | Gates | Bell | Cemetery

Main Hall

The main hall of Buddhist temples contain sacred objects like statues. Main halls in Japan are usually colled kondo, hondo, butsuden, amidado or hatto. At right is the main hall at Kodai-Ji Tmeple in Kyoto

 
Buddhist Main Hall
Buddhist Lecture Hall

Lecture Hall

At temples, there is a lecture hall designed for meetings and lectures. They are called kodo and can have objects of worship. At left is the lecture hall of Toji Temple in Kyoto.

 

Pagoda

The pagoda origniates with the Indian stupa. It is usually thre or five stories. The pagoda stores remains of the Buddha in some form of representation. The pagoda at right is in the Gion quarter of Kyoto.

 
Pagoda
Buddhist Temple Gates

Gates

Temples have gates to mark the entrance to the temple grounds. While there is usually one main gate, there can be additional gates. At left is the gate to Hase Temple in Kamakura.

 

Bell

Each Buddhist temple has a bell. Traditionally the bell rings on New Year's Eve. They are rang 108 times for the Buddhist idea of 108 worldly desires. The bell pictured at right is from Kamakura's Hase Temple

 
Buddhist Temple Bell

Cemetery

Many of the Japanese cemeteries are in Buddhist temples. Japanese Buddhists will visit the graves of their ancestors certain times during the year. The change of the seasons, anniversaries and the Obon week. Obon week is in July or August when memorial services are held for the dead and the dead are said to visit their living relatives. The cemetery at left is at Kodai-Ji Temple in Kyoto.

How to Visit a Buddhist Temple

When visiting a Buddhist Temple, one should always behave calmly and respectfully. To show your respect, make a short prayer in front of the sacred object. This is done by throwing a coin into the offering box and then saying a short prayer. If you burn incense at a shrine, you should light the incense and let it burn for a few seconds. Put the flame out by waving your hand instead of blowing on it. After placing the incense into the burner, fan some of the smoke toward you. In Buddhism, the smoke is believed ot have a healing power. As is customary in many buildings in Japan, you may be expected to remove your shoes. To should always be prepared for this possibility by wearing clean socks. It is also preferred for women to wear skirts to shrines. Photography is usually permitted on the temple grounds. It is forbidden indoors at some temples. Watch for signs.

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July 2005 Created - | Thursday, July 28, 2005 Last Revised -