What should I do at a Japanese shrine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Labaddy
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
@StephenBales @Vico Welp, time to convince my parents to go to a Catholic church instead, or just get pics outside. Yeehaw
 
Most “gods” in Shintoism, so far as I understand it, aren’t even like the old pagan gods of Europe in concept. They’re more like guardian spirits belonging to a mountain, or a river, to a tree, and the like. And most shrines you see are dedicated to these local things. Exceptions to that rule would be Amaterasu, Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, and some othets, which seem a bit more “godlike” (small g).

That said, I would still caution against making offerings or petitions to them.
 
Last edited:
I love Japanese culture and architecture, which includes their shrines and temples. However, as a Catholic I would not participate in any false religious practices. We know full well that Shinto kami and gods don’t exist, and that any ‘spirit’ there would most likely be a demon working to deceive you. The bowing and clapping are okay so long as you’re not invoking any ‘kami’; I’d avoid tossing coins though. While doing so, pray to Jesus, Our Lady, and the 26 martyrs of Nagasaki for the conversion of Japan. Enjoy your vacation!
 
Last edited:
I would never “clap or bow” to a pagan shrine! If you want to see it, stand respectfully but certainly don’t bow to it–that’s a sign of reverence. If you feel compelled by others to “clap and bow,” tell them you aren’t interested in visiting this shrine.
 
Labaddy said:
@StephenBales @Vico Welp, time to convince my parents to go to a Catholic church instead, or just get pics outside. Yeehaw
Click to expand...
If they don’t want to, and you feel uncomfortable, why don’t you just wait outside?
 
I think what you’ll find when you visit a shrine is a lot of people, residents and tourists alike, taking lots of photos. As someone who lived in Tokyo for a period of time, I can tell you that you will not be required to participate in any rituals at a shrine. Depending on the shrine, you may not even see anyone else doing it either.
 
Limoncello4021 said:
I would never “clap or bow” to a pagan shrine! If you want to see it, stand respectfully but certainly don’t bow to it–that’s a sign of reverence.
Click to expand...
There is a huge difference between a “sign of reverence” and “worship”…when a visitor, reverence does not forsake your own religious beliefs, nor does it validate the beliefs of others…its just polite!

I treat my parents (and now that they are gone, their memory) with reverence, but I certainly do not practice ancestor worship.
 
Also, if it’s a tourist site, there will probably be a ton of people milling around taking pictures…no one is going to notice if you refrain from clapping or tossing a coin or whatever.
 
This is what I did when I visited a Buddhist or shinto shrine in japan. Not keen on it but was there so went anyway. Prayed for their conversion and also had blessed salt with me. I was very discreet. I didn’t bring a green Scapular. Even so, I do not know where I could place it so as not to attract attention.
 
When non-Catholic relatives attend Mass with me, they do no genuflect. Nor would I expect them to.
There is no reason for a Catholic to participate in the rituals of another religion. One can be respectful without going through the ritual motions.
 
How could paricipating in the rituals of a Japanese shrine be justified if the Roman saints were martyred precisely because they would neither bow nor drop an incense to a statue of the pagan god?
 
Sorry, no. Bowing to a pagan image is a sign of humility before that image. Never bow to a pagan image. Bowing to your parents or a loved one is perfectly ok because you are acknowledging their worth. World of difference, mate.
 
Go, be respectful, smile at people, say some prayers internally. Enjoy your visit.
 
OP, if you’re so distressed by the idea of visiting this place, why don’t you tell this to your family?

As said by some here you might give scandal to others by participating in the rituals of this false religion, so I would recommend you to avoid this clapping thing if you go there, and simply “be a tourist”(take some pictures, admire the architecture, and leave).
 
RCbkw said:
I think what you’ll find when you visit a shrine is a lot of people, residents and tourists alike, taking lots of photos. As someone who lived in Tokyo for a period of time, I can tell you that you will not be required to participate in any rituals at a shrine. Depending on the shrine, you may not even see anyone else doing it either.
Click to expand...
This. A lot. No rituals required. Enjoy the culture and the people!
 
Labaddy said:
but found that you are required to pray.
Click to expand...
Just for emphasis - this is incorrect information: You are not required to pray at a Japanese shrine, or do anything other than enjoy yourself (and of course be respectful - as you would at the Duomo in Florence for example). Have a great time.
 
Our Lady, a human being, but granted a grace far above anything on earth. And above the gods. She can pray for all souls Salvation. Many in Asia pray for their relatives who have passed away. And offer food. Our Lady, the Women of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - the God of the Living. Can bring about a great form of Penance. Thus, bringing about life.

She can take the prayers of those who do not believe, who do not adore, and who do not love the Holy Trinity. She can save souls through Her Immaculately Conceived prayers. Even for pagans, for all who do not believe. Especially those in most of need of Christ’s Mercy, the Blessed Lamb Who was slain.

Thus, I would put a statue of Our Lady with a prayer to Her Immaculate Heart. Steering people around to something good. God obviously deposited the heart and soul to these people. Who truly seek Him. But it is through the trials of paganism. He does not condemn them for seeking guardian spirits. The fact that they seek protection from a spirit, is a good thing. The error is in their understanding. Which, even in the hollow shape of their own beliefs, it is the imprint of God’s desire. Thus, Our Lady would be the best and most suitable creature on earth to bring about Salvation of these souls. To see the fullness of what they truly seek: Beatification.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top