Shinto Shrine

May 5, 2013

Osaka, or ... How to pray at a Shrine.

... detail on roof of shrine ...

That is the lesson the guide gave us at the Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine.

The gods are enshrined there, the ones ensuring safe travel, good fortune in mating, safe childbirth, prosperity in business, valour, skilled entertainment – there is a god now, they say, that will help with technical problems associated with computers.

Why not!

... ladles waiting for use ...

Bow once.

Scoop water with a dipper.

Rinse your left and then right hand in that order to purify yourself.

Pour water in the palm of your left hand.

Dragon Detail

Rinse you mouth with that water – every step carefully laid out.

And once the purification ritual is finished, then go pray to the gods, which means a whole other set of rituals.

We spent a lovely afternoon there, taking pictures, buying souvenirs.

Some people took the time to pray.

... small blocks of wood containing messages ...

Others sent messages to the gods, either on paper or on small blocks of wood on which might be written, “My sister is very ill. Please make her well.”

 Heart-felt rituals of placing prayers on altars, not unlike western rituals I know.

Arta