Buddhist Altar (Naijin Shrine)

REFERENCES: Portraits in the Yoma Published by the Buddhist Churches of America, Hongwanji International Center (2002). Jodo Shinshu: A Guide. Kyoto: Jodo Shinshu Southern District Ministers’ Association with Shotoku Taishi (572-622) was an Imperial Hongwanji-ha. funding from the Southern District Council. prince and an ardent Buddhist. He was a strong Kodani, Masao and Hamada, Russell (1995). Traditions of Jodoshinshu Hongwanji-ha. force behind the acceptance and spread of Bud- Senshin Buddhist Temple: Pureland Publications. dhism throughout Japan. Southern District Temples The Seven Masters of Jodo Shinshu are Bud- This brochure is part of an educational initiative by the Federation of Buddhist Women’s Associations dhist teachers whom Shinran Shonin revered • Arizona Buddhist Temple for their clarifying insight into the meaning of • Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara the Pure Land Buddhist teaching. From In- • Buddhist Temple of San Diego dia: Nagarjuna (c. 150-250) and Vasubandhu • Gardena Buddhist Church (c. 320-400); from China: T’an-luan (Donran • Guadalupe Buddhist Church in Japanese; 476-542), Tao-ch’o (Doshaku in • Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple The Jodo Shinshu Japanese; 562-654), and Shan-tao (Zendo in • Orange County Buddhist Church Japanese; 613-681); and from Japan: Genshin • Oxnard Buddhist Temple (942-1017), and Honen (Genku, 1133-1212). • Pasadena Buddhist Temple Some temples display portraits of Shinran • San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Naijin Shonin’s wife, Eshinni (1182-1268), whose • San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church letters recorded important historical events, • Senshin Buddhist Temple and Kakushinni (1224-1283), their youngest • Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Shrine daughter who helped to preserve Shinran Sho- • Vista Buddhist Temple nin’s legacy. • West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Large Incense Burner (Koro)

A large incense burner called the Koro rests on a lacquered wooden stand in the front and cen- ter of the Gejin. There are usually two dragons, placed like handles, on the sides of the Koro. The dragon on the left has its mouth closed, signify- Rev. C. Myokai Himaka ing death, and the dragon on the right has its Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church mouth open, signifying birth. Thus, we are en- couraged to be mindful of birth and death as we approach the Buddha and the Dharma. Buddhist Churches of America

http://buddhistchurchesofamerica.org Have you ever entered a Buddhist temple and been showing respect for what the word represents. Shrine Building (Kuden) Front Table (Maejoku) amazed by the complexity of the altar? Have you There are many sacred objects in theNaijin . Each The Gohonzon traditionally stands within a highly In front of the Sumidan is a larger table called ever wondered about the objects and what their object and image has specific purpose and mean- ornate structure called the Kuden. The architecture the Maejoku. It is ornately carved and decorated purpose and symbolic meanings were? ing. There are often symbolic ties to the time of the resembles a Japanese palace. Pillars and roof beams with animals and flower patterns. This pamphlet describes traditions of the Jodo historical Buddha, or to ancient cultures of India, are painted gold to signify purity, virtue and merit. Brocade cloths are used to cover the tables in Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha, a school of Pure Land China, or Japan. Figures of dragons, peacocks, elephants, and lions the Naijin. There are two cloths for the Maejoku. Buddhism founded in Japan. The Buddhist adorn it, expressing the Buddha’s spiritual power, First, a Mizuhiki is wrapped around the front Churches of America, which began as a missionary Central Figure (Gohonzon) truth, and majesty. and sides. Second, a triangular-shaped cloth program of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-Ha, fol- The Jodo Shinshu shrine is dedicated to Amida Hanging from the corners of the roof are necklace- called an Uchishiki is draped over the front. lows these traditions. Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Wisdom and Un- like ornaments called Sumi Yoraku. They represent the Arrangements of candles, incense, and flow- bounded Compassion. An image of the Amida attainment of nobility through noble deeds. ers are placed on the Maejoku. A central in- Buddha is housed in the central shrine in the form Lamps are part of the Central Shrine. Two hex- cense burner with candle stand on the right and of either a statue or a picture scroll. Alternatively, agonal lanterns called Tsuri Toro hang in front of the flower vase on the left is called Mitsugusoku. An a Myogo scroll with the Chinese Kuden. They represent lanterns made by Shakyamuni incense burner with a candle stand on each side characters Na Mo A Mi Da Butsu Buddha for his disciples so that, when traveling at and a flower vase on the outside of each candle may be enshrined. night, they could avoid killing insects and small crea- stand is called Gogusoku. The golden statue depicts a tures on the road. A pair of Kiku Rinto, circular lamps Candlelight represents the Wisdom of the standing figure of the Amida decorated with a chrysanthemum flower pattern, rep- Buddha, which illuminates the ignorance of hu- Buddha, whose right hand is held resent Enlightenment without beginning or end. man beings.Flowers signify impermanence; they up, with the palm facing forward are a reminder of the fleeting existence of human and the thumb and forefinger Throne (Shumidan) life. Incense is traditionally associated with puri- forming a circle. The left arm fication, and it enhances religious feelings. Of- The Kuden rests upon a rectangular dais or throne hangs downward, with the palm fering flowers and incense are traditional ways of called the Shumidan. The Shumidan is wide on the top facing forward and the thumb praising the Buddha. and bottom and narrow in the middle. It represents and forefinger forming a circle. the cosmic mountain called Sumeru in Sanskrit. The picture scroll shows an im- Portraits in the Onaijin The Jodo Shinshu Naijin Shrine The Shumidan is made of red and black lacquered age of the Amida Buddha on a wood and is decorated with floral, wave, and animal On the right side of the wall behind the Kuden In Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temples, the main background of forty-eight radi- designs. is a portrait scroll of Shinran Shonin (1173- hall, or Hondo, is divided into two areas: the ating lines. These symbolize the In front of the Gohonzon is a small table called the 1263), the founder of Jodo Shinshu. A por- Naijin and the Gejin. The Naijin is the (inner) Forty-eight Vows pledged by the Uwajoku. Four items are placed on this table: two wa- trait scroll of Rennyo Shonin (1414-1499), the altar area, and the Gejin is the (outer) seating bodhisattva Dharmakara, who ter vessels, one incense burner, and one candle stand. eighth monshu or abbot, hangs on the left wall. area. Most Buddhist ceremonies and rituals take later became Amida Buddha. The water vessels often hold greens, without flowers. These two portraits mark the boundaries of place in or in front of the Naijin. The Naijin is The Myogo scroll of Chinese The candle, usually red, is placed before the Gohonzon. the Naijin. Some temples have additional space where objects of reverence are placed and where characters, which is read Na Mo A red lacquered wooden candle may be used as a sub- to the right and left of the central altar. This area Buddhist priests officiate during services. You A Mi Da Butsu, represents the stitute for a lit candle during ceremonies. There may is called the Yoma. Usually a picture or statue of may see the word spelled “Onaijin.” The let- Name of the Amida Buddha. also be a stand used as the base for the Buppanki, a Shotoku Taishi is enshrined on the right side of ter “o-” placed before the word Naijin (or “go-” container which holds an offering of cooked rice. the Yoma and a picture of the Seven Masters is placed before other words) is an honorific form on the left.