Japanese temples usually follow a naming system which includes "ji" or "tera" or if on a Mountain "dera" or "in". So if one of these is in the word, it is likely to be a temple or monastery. It can be confusing because many temples have more than one name.
In Japan they also have a religion called Shintoism. Sometimes there is overlap between Buddhism and Shintoism. One of the treats of visiting temples in Japan is taking time relaxing in their Asian or Zen gardens.
Buddhism came to Japan about 538 AD. At that time a Korean missionary came to pay homage to the Japanese ruler. This missionary offered the Japanese ruler with a small Buddhist icon and some scriptures.
Source of photo Flickr
Enraku-ji A Monastery in Kyoto, Japan
One of the earliest monasteries in Japan was Enraku-ji which stands on Mount Hiei overlooking Kyoto. This is one of the most significant monasteries in Japanese history. That's why I chose this particular one. Enraku-ji served, then and now, as the headquarters of the Tendai sect. The Tendai Buddhist sect was popular among the elite originally and over time became the foundation for a number of later sects such as the Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren.In every Japanese town you will find monasteries and temples and sometimes out in the back country in isolated places as well. So this is just one example. Monasteries will usually have a lovely entrance gate. Many of these offer a chance to stay there so be sure to ask about accommodations.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
A Feng Shui Crystal Pagoda Would Dress Up Any Alter
Chinese Feng Shui 5 Layer Crystal Pagodas
Amazon Price: $30.23 (as of 12/30/2009)
This crystal pagoda is an essential feng shui cure to lead people prevail over obstacles and ensure success. It also has the power to reduce bad chi. It is used as a symbol to protect against illness. Placing it on your desk or cabinet in your living room will safeguard your house.
Sogenji is a Zen Temple in Okayama, Japan
It is usually a good idea to come for a short visit first but the Abbot Shodo Harada Roshi does encourage serious practitioners to come back for a year long stay. If you live in the US now, you might want to start out practicing at the One Drop Zendo Tahoma Monastery
on Whidbey Island near Seattle. The term zendo means a place to practice and revitalize.
The "Dharma Group" at Squidoo is home to many lenses that are Dharma related - click on the Buddhist logo (left) to visit this group and it's lenses or to join the group. If you have a lens that is about Dharma (either Hindu or Buddhist), we would be thrilled to welcome it to this group.
If you are not a member of Squidoo and would like to know more about creating your own lenses, CLICK HERE to join Squidoo and start today. It's absolutely free, I promise.
Not sure what to make a lens about? How about YOU! A short biography of yourself is always a good way to start as a lensmaster. Or your dharma work would make a great topic. That should take about 5 minutes to begin, but you can come back to it and add to it over and over again.
Buddhist Dudds
Vintage Om Mani Padme Hum Ash Grey T-Shirt
Price: 19.99
Om Mani Padme Hum Black Cap
Price: 18.99
Retro Buddha Hooded Sweatshirt
Price: 44.99
Dharma Ash Grey T-Shirt
Price: 19.99
Shunkoin Temple is Also in Kyoto, Japan
Vote Or Add Your Own Zen Monastery Reading
Waking Up: A Week Inside a Zen Monastery (Week Inside¹series) by Jack Maguire
The notion of spending days at a time in silence a more...1 point
The Zen Monastery Cookbook: Stories and Recipes from a Zen Kitchen by Cheri Huber
This cookbook includes low-fat vegetarian recipes more...1 point
The Eight Gates of Zen: Spiritual Training an American Zen Monastery by John Daido Loori
The Eight Gates of Zen offers a matrix of opportun more...1 point
Todaiji Temple, Nara, Honshu Island, Japan
Take a Virtual Tour of a Zen Monastery in Japan
Schedule Your Japan Trip Today!
One of my favorite quotes:
As much as the soul loves a real home, it also loves to wander. It holds familiar places and things dear, and yet it craves novel sights and new belongings. Quoted from The Re-enchantment of Everyday Life by Thomas Moore.
Do your research and get your visa and passport and then make your travel plans to Japanese monasteries here.
Visit the Daikakuji Temple
Daikakuji Temple is in Saga, Kyoto and is the historical home of Saga Goryu, the school of Ikebana flower arranging.Saga Goryu Ikebana has rapidly spread around the world. The Asian Gardens here are particularly known for their rayonnante chrysanthemums which are grown here. The Osawa pond with the Rapids of Nakoso was designated as a place of national scenic beauty, and is also a national historic site.
Bamboo Shoji Screen
They Also Have Zen in America - This One is in Rhode Island
Image courtesy of Flickr
Unusual and Unique Zen Art
Vote for Your Favorite Zen Item
Fine Quality Asian Furniture & Décor - 42" Oriental Red Lacquer Drop Front Secretary Desk
Truly beautiful drop front secretary desk w retrac more...1 point
Unique Zen Décor - 15" Dino Japanese Style Steel & Paper Lantern Bedside Lamp
Unique art deco inspired design creates interest a more...0 points
Zen Meditation Simple Décor - 6ft. Japanese Style Wood & Paper Shoji Lantern Oriental Lamp - Natural
Traditionally crafted shoji style Japanese lantern more...0 points
Gold Leaf Jewelry Chest
Truly beautiful hexagonal shape 8 drawer oriental more...0 points
Asian Garden Zen Home Décor - 84" Double Sided Japanese Sliding Shoji Door Kit ( Natural Pine Finish )
Sturdy, durable, top quality wood sliding doors, e more...0 points
Zen Simple Asian Décor Lighting -1.5ft. Kharbarosk Japanese Paper Lantern Oriental Table Lamp - Honey
Beautifully handcrafted premium quality bent wood more...0 points
Some Of My Other Lenses
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Tsoknyi Rinpoche
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Tsoknyi Rinpoche was born in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1966. His father was Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche a high tantric yogi from the Tsangsar family lineage. Tsoknyi Rinpoche practices both the Nyingma and the Drukpa Kagyu lineages. His great great grandfather w...
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All Things Buddhist - Issues, Topics, Teachers, Leaders, Lamas or Rinpoches
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"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. Speak and act with a pure mind and happiness will follow. The wind cannot overturn a mountain, like temptation cannot touch those who are awake, strong, and humble. Fill yourself w...
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Yongdzin Rinpoche- Famous Tibetan Monk
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Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, senior teacher of the Bon tradition, was forced to leave his homeland when the Chinese invaded Tibet in the late 1950s. He later established the Triten Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal to carry on the Bon Buddhi...
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Bhutan - A Sweet Little Country
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Bhutan is a small country north of Nepal and South of China, and next to Sikkim. It's President's stated purpose is "Gross National Happiness". It is a country where the government and the monestaries share separate wings of the same buildings. I wa...
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Gaden Shartse Monks Tour
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It's time for the Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet 208 Gaden Shartse Monks Nationwide Tour in the US. If you have never seen monks creating a sand mandala, you must see this! The monks are on a goodwill tour of the United States and are raisin...
Can't Go to Japan? Create An Alter in Your Home for Now
ZEN | Feng Shui | Meditation | Buddha Incense Burner
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
A History of Japanese Buddhism
A History of Japanese Buddhism
This first major study in English on Japanese Buddhism by one of Japan's most distinguished scholars in the field of Religious Studies is to be widely welcomed. The main focus of the work is on the tradition of the monk (o-bo-san) as the main agent of Buddhism, together with the historical processes by which monks have developed Japanese Buddhism as it appears in the present day.
Kenji Matsuo has taught the history of Japanese Buddhism at Princeton University, Beijing Foreign Language University, London University and the State University of New York. He has published sixteen books on this and related subjects in Japanese; this is his first in English. He is currently professor at Yamagata University, Japan.
Zen Auctions
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Shuri Kannondo Temple in Naha, Japan Has a Praying Chihuahua Named Conan
This photo is courtesy of the Huffington Post. This dog has increased the tourist traffic at Shuri Kannondo Temple. Guest Comments Are Welcome
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Reply
- Aladdins-Cave Aladdins-Cave Sep 16, 2009 @ 11:05 pm
- Love your Lens. Thank You.
I love to travel and lived in Japan back in the 70's. Wish I could go back.
Thank You
Gus
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Reply
- TeaLady TeaLady Sep 7, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
- Another great lens!
I had great fortune to visit a few Temples in Japan during Cherry Blossom time. Besides the temples being very impressive, the constant "snow" from the cherry trees made it all quite magical!
I hope you will add this lens to the World of Buddhism group.
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Reply
- WhiteOak50 WhiteOak50 Aug 9, 2009 @ 8:54 am
- Fantastic Lens-You do such wonderful work on your lens, Marsha. Thank you for adding it to Everything Spiritual!
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Reply
- ronpass ronpass Jul 6, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
- Hi Marsha - another great lens as usual.
Blogs on Zen Buddhism
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Love For Our Mother the Earth
Environmental law defender Earthjustice, the top American ecological law firm, because the earth needs a good lawyer. Formerly Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund.
by RinchenChodron
I'm Marsha Camblin. My Buddhist name is Rinchen Chodron. I publish the following websites http://www.geocities.com/rdtibet and http://... (more)
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