ZEN
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Japanese
Zen temple layout is typically based on Chinese Sung-dynasty
temples. Essentially rectilinear and symmetrical (in
contrast to native Japanese asymmetry), Zen temples
have the main buildings in a straight line on behind
another, on a roughly north-south axis. The main buildings
comprise the Sanmon (main gate), Butsuden (Buddha Hall),
Hatto lecture hall, sometimes a meditation or study
hall, and the abbot's and monks' quarters. In practice,
sub-temples often crowd around the main buildings and
may obscure the basic layout. The temple compound is
entered by a bridge over a pond or stream, symbolically
crossing from the earthly world to that of Buddha. Buildings
are beautiful but natural looking, often of unpainted
wood; they are intended to be conducive to emptying
the mind of worldly illusions, facilitating enlightenment.
The Butsuden (Buddha Hall) contains
an image of the Buddha. The hall at Engaku-ji was
rebuilt in 1964. The Butsunichian subtemple is the
mausoleum of Tokimune and contains a statue of him.
The Sanmon is the main gate. Made
of wood and held together without nails, it was built
in 1783.
The
Temple Bell at Engaku-ji, the largest in Kamakura,d
ates from 1301 and is now rung only on New Year's
Eve.
Temples store and display sacred Buddhist objects, and some of them used to or still function as monasteries. Structures typically found at Japanese temples are:
Main hall - The sacred objects of worship, such as statues, are displayed in the main hall. In Japanese, main halls are usually called kondo, hondo, butsuden, amidado or hatto.
Lecture hall - Lecture halls are for meetings and lectures and often also display objects of worship. Lecture halls are called kodo.
Pagoda - The pagoda, a structure that has evolved from the Indian stupa, 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 a representation.
Gates - Gates mark the entrance to the temple grounds. There is usually one main gate, and possibly several additional gates, for example, along the temple's main approach.
Bell - On New Year 's eve, temple bells are rang 108 times, corresponding to the Buddhist concept of 108 worldly desires.
Cemetery - Most cemeteries in Japan are Buddhist and are located at a temple. The Japanese visit their ancestors' graves on many occasions during the year, especially during the obon week, the equinoctial weeks and the anniversaries.
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