In 1904, as a sign of good relations between Thailand and Japan, King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) of Thailand, honoured Japan with a gift: one of the bones of the Buddha. Japan built a temple to house the bone. Today Lady Younghusband and I visited the temple of Nittaiji. Japan has countless temples and shrines, many of them have strange backgrounds. Nittaiji (日泰寺　”Japan” “Thailand” “Temple”) is located in the east of Nagoya, in central Japan. It is a very new temple by Japanese standards, and is unique in that it is non-denominational. Thailand is mainly Theravada while Japan is Mahayana, never mind the numerous sects within Japan. Nittaiji is non-denominational so that all Buddhists may enjoy the sacred artefact.
Well, that is what I did for my Christmas Eve… how about you?
More of Nittaiji can be seen on Flickr. Also, I have decided to start moblogging my next year in Japan with my new 3.2mp cameraphone. You can see some daily life pics from here in Nagoya. Stay tuned! And finally: Happy Holidays!
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COMMENTS / 9 COMMENTS
Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace added these pithy words on 24 Dec 06 at 7:09 pmI note that the sign at the Temple says ‘ashes’... but a beautiful building nevertheless…
Younghusband added these pithy words on 25 Dec 06 at 1:46 am@Dr. ARW: The Japanese word is éÂ?ºéª¨ (“i-kotsu”) and can be translated as ashes, remains or bones. After cremation there are usually pieces of bone in the ashes. I didn’t get to see the remains myself, but I doubt that there are any really big bones like a femur or anything. Sorry for any confusion.
Jason added these pithy words on 25 Dec 06 at 1:52 amHaving lived in Asia for some time now, I have a saying: You have seen one temple, you’ve seen them all. Except one day, I when in Kyoto I walked into a temple filled full with Japanese men laying low on the floor prostrate before a very attractive Japanese woman. She was sitting erect like a Buddha on the center alter completely nude and covered with flower wreaths draped over her. I later learned that Buddhism is a stark religion that Asians often spice-up with local animistic shamanism to make its sterile harshness more palatable. I suppose I stumbled on a goddess cult.
Merry Christmas… y,all.
Scof added these pithy words on 25 Dec 06 at 5:06 amWonderful site, found it just a few hours ago and what a present for myself :) I like the temples in Japan, as a lad in Okinawa it was always fun to go hiking up to/around them, am thankful now for those christmases w/out the excess decorations.
Anyhow, lots to learn from the great writing and links, so I’m hitting your archives again…amongst other things this brewing conflict in Africa has me worried this Christmas. Best to you and yours, I’ll be reading!
Lexington Green added these pithy words on 25 Dec 06 at 8:25 pmMerry Christmas. I would love to be in Japan for Christmas some day, but I would have to find a place to go to mass. I know there are some Catholics in Japan, but it might be a challenge outside the big cities.
moorethanthis added these pithy words on 26 Dec 06 at 2:47 pmA very Anarchy Christmas to you, sir. I never managed to visit Nagoya while I was in Japan, but the temple looks very interesting. I’ll have to try and see it someday.
Curzon added these pithy words on 26 Dec 06 at 3:02 pmLex: there are Catholic churches in most cities in Japan, and its a real challenge to attend a Christmas service in any church because the churches fill up quick.
