Tag Archives: Japanese history

Churches

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, ,

The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 150–153) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Churches

Every religion has a place dedicated for worship. They are called by variety of names: in Christianity they are called churches; in Buddhism, temples; in Islam, mosques; in Judaism, synagogues; in Taoism, byo; and in Shinto, shrines. Naturally, the object of worship has a different role. Yet for followers they represent sacred and solemn places where they can find peace and comfort.

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Question no. 2: Is Tenrikyo a Buddhist or Shinto tradition?

Ask the Tenrikyologist,

Q: Being that Tenrikyo is a religion from Japan, how is it categorized? Is it a Buddhist or Shinto tradition?

submitted by Paradise Plastic (real name withheld)

A: Great question, Paradise Plastic! I get similar ones all the time. Anyone who asks is understandably curious since Tenrikyo appears to share many elements with Buddhism and Shinto.

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All Days Are Lucky Days

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, ,

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 116–120) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

All Days Are Lucky Days

In Japan today it is customary to plan a wedding on an auspicious day and avoid certain days that are considered unlucky. The same goes for funerals, as certain days are considered inappropriate. Such long-held customs emerged when the Chinese calendar that was brought to Japan took on a life of its own and began to regulate the lives of the Japanese people.

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