What are some types of Buddhist statues?

There are several kinds of Buddhist statues according to their roles. There are Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and guardian gods. Buddha statue represents a person who already attained enlightenment. They are Syaka, founder of Buddhist, Yakushi, Amida and so on. Statues of Buddas are represented by persons who wear simple clothes like Indian saree without any accessories.

Bodhisattva is monk who is now on the way to the enlightenment. Statues of Bodhisattvas usually wear a lot of accessories such as earings, necklace, armlets. The most famous Bodhisattva is Kannon the deity of mercy. There are various Kannon statues, some of which have eleven faces or more than two arms.

Are there sects in Shintoism and Buddhism?

In Shintoism, there are various deities who have different roles. For example, Yebisu is the deity of commercial activity. Inari is the deity of harvest and industry. Tenjin is the deity of education. People go to shrines according to what they want to pray for. For example, people planning to take an examination go to Tenjin shrine. Owners of companies go to Yebisu shrine.

Buddhism has many kinds of sects. Main Buddha which they rely on is different from other sects. Scriptures which have been considered as the most important are different from other sects. Zen is very unique compared with other Buddhist sects. Zen sect emphasis on the practice of Zen for enlightenment rather than study of scriptures and worshipping of Buddhas.

When do people practice Shintoism and Buddhism?

People practice Shintoism when they get married, have a baby, ask for blessing from deity to children at their age of three, five and seven years. Many people come to shrine to pray for success before taking examinations.
People practice Buddhism when they hold funerals and commemoration service for the deceased. Many people visit both Shito shrine and Buddhist temples on New Year holidays to pray for good fortune for the year.

How can I distinguish between a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple?

You can distinguish between a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple by the gates at the entrance.
Shinto shrine has an open-gate which consists of two pillars and connected by two horizontal crosspieces at the top. In the buildings of Buddhist temple, you can usually find statues of Buddha. In some Buddhist temples, there are grave yards and five-story pagoda.

about a local festival of my hometown.

My hometown has the head shrine of Yebisu which is a Japanese deity of commercial activity. From January 9 to 11, the biggest festival of Yebisu shrine is held, which is called To-Ka Yebisu. More than a million people come to the shrine to pray for good luck and prosperity of the year. Nishinomiya is famous for sake production. You can find a lot of sake barrels in the main hall of the shrine. They are wrapped with woven straw and have decorative labels identifying the makers.

After praying in the main hall, people buy bamboo branches which have many good luck charms to hang on the wall of their own houses or offices in hope of good luck of the year.

about a famous festival in Japan.

I will tell you about Aoi festival in Kyoto. This festival is one of the three big festivals in Kyoto. It is dedicated to Kamo Shrines and is held on May 15. The name of this festival comes from the leaves of aoi which is hollyhock in English. The leaves are used to decorate the heads of participants in the procession. This festival has been held yearly for more than a thousand years. You can find the description about The Aoi Festival in the Tale of Genji which is one of the most famous and most refined stories written in the Heian Period (about one thousand years ago).

about some seasonal customs or events in Japan.

visiting the grave of ancestor, offering flowers and prayin for them.

I will tell you about Buddhist rituals to pay respect to ancestors of the family. On both Vernal Equinox Day and Autumnal Equinox Day which is what is called Higan, we visit the grave of our ancestors to clean the grave, offer the flowers and pray for them. Higan means “another bank of river “ which signifies another world. We pray for ancestor who is believed to exist in another world on both two days.

an example of household Buddhist altar at the obon season.

The other Buddhist event is Obon. During Obon season, from August 13 to 15, it is believed that souls of ancestor come back to their former homes. On August 13, people in some regions go to the grave holding a lantern to guide the souls back to home. In front of the household Buddhist altar, we put a meal of vegetables served in a small red colored lacquered wares for the souls. After relaxing at home, the souls are believed to return to heaven on August 15.

Bon Odori festival is still held on the grounds of temples or shrines. This festival was originally aimed at solacing or entertaining the departed souls.

Bon dance performed in a public park, temple or shinto shrine precincts
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