There are about 800 officially registered temples and 1,700 shrines in Kyoto. Let me answer the question, you might have, about the difference between temples and shrines.
Shrines are associated with the religion of Shintoism, which has existed in Japan since ancient times. Shinto is a polytheistic religion based on the worship of nature and ancestors. Shrine is a place to enshrine a deity and plays a role in promoting interaction with the deity.
Temples, on the other hand, are based on Buddhism, which came from the Korean Peninsula around the 6th century. Buddhism is a philosophical and religious system that aims for enlightenment. Temple is a place to enshrine Buddha images, learn Buddhist teachings, and conduct practice.
Then, I show you how to visit the shrine
* Take a bow before passing through the torii gate.
(The torii gate is a vermilion gate that indicates that it is a sacred place where the gods reside from here on. It is considered as the boundary between the mundane and the divine.)
* Wash your hand at the water fountain. Do not drink !
* Proceed to the worship hall through the approach.
* Insert money
* Bow deeply twice.
* Double clap: Place your right hand lightly on your left hand, then raise your hands to chest level and strike twice.
* Pray
* Bow deeply once.
* Leave the worship hall
How to pray at the temple
* Bow in front of the mountain gate
* Wash your hand at the water fountain. Do not drink !
* Head to the main hall
* Put the money in the gift box
* Bow once (No hand clapping here !)
* Pray
* Bow again
In both cases, when we pray, we make a request in our hearts, and we should not ask our personal wishes. It's important that it be relevant to everyone. For example, may the world be peaceful.
