Temples in Japan

Temples in Japan

Tera, as the temples in Japan are called, abound in this Buddhist country. So important is a temple in their lives that no city or a town in Japan is considered complete without its hallowed presence.

Unlike the Shinto shrines, which proliferate in the most secluded areas, temples in Japan are built in the open. Also the temples in Japan are much more complex in structure than the shrine.

A typical temple in Japan is made up of the following-

- Main Hall
- Pagoda
- Lecture Hall
- Gates

The temples in Japan also have beautifully ornamented gates that lead up to the Main Hall. It is also common to have a huge bell in a temple in Japan.

Almost all the Buddhist temples in Japan exhibit an uncanny similarity to the ones in China, clearly indicating the country's source of Buddhism as well as the architecture of temples.

Some of the famous temples in Japan are-

H?ry?-ji- is one of the oldest temples in Japan. The wooden columns which support the Main Hall of the temple are considered to be the oldest in the world. The Japanese government has named H?ry?-ji as a national treasure. The architecture of the temple displays Korean influence.

There is a popular belief, though not supported by everyone, that a fire had ravaged the temple in 670, following which the temple was rebuilt.

Chion - located in Kyoto, is one of the largest of the temples in Japan and is listed amongst the National Treasures. The temple's bell is the heaviest in entire Japan. The main gate of the temple opens up a flight of stairs leading to the main hall. The gate stands 24 meters tall and is the largest in the country.

Daitokuji - also located in Kyoto, the temple is the head quarters of the Daitokuji school of Rinzai, which is a sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Surrounding the temple are 24 sub-temples, thus a feeling of temple village is unmistakably there. Daitokuji is located on a mountain known as Ryuhozan, which in Japanese means Dragon Treasure Mountain.

Kiyomizudera - one of the most popular temples in Japan, Kiyomizudera means 'Pure Water Temple'. The scenic location of the temple is enhanced by the Otowa-no-taki waterfalls. Three water channels from converge into the pond, from where visitors collect the water in metal cups and drink it for their well being.

Amongst the popular shrines in Kiyomizudera one belong to Okuninushino-Mikoto, who is the Japanese god of love.

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