| Differences between “temple” and “shrine” |
Temple (Tera) |
Shrine (Jinja) |
| Religion |
Buddhism |
Shintoism |
| Name |
Temple, Tera - ….JI |
Shrine, Jinja - Taisha |
| Philosophy |
Awakening by following Buddha. Arrived from China in 538. |
Worshipping the nature, worshipping the ancestors. Japan’s own religion. Many gods, many deities, the nature is a god, purity is important. Started with the emperor Gimmu in 600 BC. |
| Pagoda |
YES |
NO |
| Gate (To-ri, T shaped poles) |
NO |
YES |
| Statues |
Buddha |
Animals (Fox, dog, cow, etc.) |
| Common colors |
Darker colors, brown, gold |
Orange and white |
| Temizuya (water and ladles) |
NO |
YES |
| Priests |
Monk (Bald, black clothes, round bamboo hat). Bouzu. |
Kannushi (light color clothes, tall black hat) |
| Common Ceremony |
Funeral |
Marriage |
| Cemetery |
YES |
NO |
| Incense Burner |
YES |
NO |
| Bonsho (Huge bell) |
YES |
NO |
| Zen garden |
YES |
NO |
| Rice straws and papers |
NO |
YES |
| Sake Barrels |
NO |
YES |
| Ringing and clapping before praying |
NO |
YES |
| Orange Color lanterns |
NO |
YES |
| Protective demons at the gate (Raijin-fujin) |
YES |
NO |
| Elevated Basements |
MOSTLY NO |
YES |
| Swastika sign |
YES |
NO |
