Japanese Religion and Purification

Here’s me on my first visit to Japan in 2005 at Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto:

This is an example of ritual purification that you will see in both Shinto and Buddhist places of worship. Often times when you go to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple* you will see a small stand such as this, with running water. The act is called temizu (手水) and at least in the context of Shinto, is an abbreviation of water-purification ceremony, or misogi (禊).

Other times, as when I visited Sensoji, instead of water, there was a huge brazier full of incense.

So, if you visit a shrine or temple, what’s the proper etiquette?

If you see one of these “temizu” places near the entrance, just follow these steps:

• Take a ladle full of water and wash your left hand.
• Then wash your right hand.
• Then, using your left hand, pour a bit into your mouth and replace the ladle.

If you see an incense brazier instead, just get close and try to get some of the good perfume smell on you. That’s about it.

So, why all this ritual purification before you go into the temple?

Good question. Some of this purification is probably a result of the influence of Shinto on Buddhism. Shinto, as a religion, places a heavy emphasis on purification of the body and soul, using water and salt as well as Shinto-specific prayer. This website lists the steps toward the full misogi rite at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Japan. One may do the purification as part of a periodic practice, or if they’ve encountered something negative like death, or some great tragedy. This purification is for one’s own benefit, but also in Shinto ceremonies, the kami (神, spirit) may not descend if the altar and participants are not sufficiently pure, and so would miss out on the ceremony.

But what about Buddhism? Buddhism doesn’t have teachings on purification the way that Shinto does, but even in the earliest texts, disciples of the Buddha and well-wishers often paid some kind of respect or obeisance when they visited him. In Indian tradition, this could be something as simple as baring one’s right shoulder from their robes (if a monk or holy man), or something more dramatic as circling the Buddha 3 times clockwise. Also people used a lot of ritual greetings that were polite and respectful at the time. People who didn’t like the Buddha, or wanted to challenge him of course didn’t do this. By the time Buddhism came to Japan, local customs were adopted, and we see rituals like those above for purification.

Even in some home services in Japan, people make it a point to rinse out their mouth before prayer, or even taking a shower and putting on clean clothes. For such followers, purification through water, incense or other such rituals is a nice way to show you care. Of course you don’t have to do this, and no one would punish you if you don’t, but as you walk the path, it’s a nice non-verbal way of showing appreciation.

Namu Kanzeon Bosatsu

P.S. For more information, here’s an example of purification suggestions for a Shingon Buddhist home ceremony, while here’s an example of the misogi ceremony at the Tsubaki Shrine in my home of Washington State. I’ve been there once a long, long time ago for a New Year’s ceremony (we did just temizu only), and they were pretty nice folks.

* – Not all Buddhist temples do this, but I am not sure what the criteria is.