Buddhist temples

Buddhist Temples |

Temples are the places of worship in Japanese Buddhism. Virtually every Japanese municipality has at least one temple, while large culturalcenters 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: | Main hallThe sacred objects of worship, such as statues, are displayed in the main hall. Main halls are calledkondo, hondo, butsuden, amidado or hatto in Japanese.Example: Main hall of Todaiji in Nara. |
| Lecture hallLecture halls are for meetings and lectures and often alsodisplay objects of worship. Lecture halls are called kodo.Example: Lecture hall of Toji in Kyoto. |
| PagodaThe pagoda, a structure that has evolved from the Indianstupa, 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 arepresentation.Example: 3-storied pagoda of Kofukuji in Nara. |
| GatesGates mark the entrance to the temple grounds. There is usually one main gate, and possibly severaladditional gates, along the temple's main approach.Example: Sanmon Gate of Kenchoji in Kamakura. |
| BellOn New Year's Eve, temple bells are rung 108 times, correspondingto the Buddhist concept of 108 worldly desires.Example: Great Bell of Kenchoji in Kamakura. |
| CemeteryMost cemeteries in Japan are Buddhist and are located at atemple. The Japanese visit their ancestors' graves on many occasions during the year, especially during the obonweek, the equinoctial weeks and anniversaries. |
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