by Kate Maruyama
I don’t really have a religion. I guess I’m a Buddhist, but I don’t know if I would call it a religion.
“Japanese” is a better way to describe who I am. I celebrate traditional holidays and festivals with my friends and family. But I don’t think of these activities as religious the way our ancestors used to. Now it is mostly just what we do.
Maybe it’s more important to adults than it is to people our age. Like, my grandma goes to the temple occasionally to pray for something. Well, I guess I go sometimes too. Before a big test or at the start of some other big goal, I’ll sometimes go to the temple and buy a good luck amulet. And of course, I’ve been to temples on field trips before. But, I am not sure that counts. It was for history class.
At holidays we’ll go to the temple as a family. But that’s less religion and more what we do on this day.
At New Years, it’s tradition to visit a shrine and pray for the upcoming year. Most people I know go. It’s not so interesting — just throw money in, clap your hands, say a short prayer, and buy an amulet or your fortune for the year and you’re done. And of course we get gifts at New Years too!
When my cousin was born, our whole family went to the temple together for a naming ceremony. And we went again when she turned 3, 5 and 7 — important ages in Buddhism. We went when I was those ages, too. I got dressed up in a kimono, got my picture taken, and visited a temple. When I turn 20, we’ll go again. That’s when I become an adult.
Is Obon a religious holiday? On Obon, we believe that family members who passed away can return to earth for a couple days. Like New Years, family gets together, eats special foods, watches fireworks, and goes to a festival. Then at the end, there is a ceremony. We put candles in small paper boats and set them in the ocean. These boats guide our ancestors’ spirits safely back to heaven.
But, I’m not sure that is the main point of Obon really. The festivals for special days like these are fun. There’s lots of good food to buy, you can see your friends, play festival games, hear the music.
These festivals were originally religious celebrations. My grandfather tells me about it sometimes, but I’m not so interested in that part. To my friends and me, it’s just fun, seasonal events.
My friend’s father died a year ago. And she is always very attentive to the family altar, or Butsudan. Her family always makes sure there are fresh flowers, rice, and his favorite foods set out. She can even chant the sutras. We have a Butsudan, too. I think my mother still sets stuff out for our ancestors. I used to enjoy helping put out the sake as my mom lit incense. But I haven’t done it in a long time. Some of my friends who live in newer places don’t even have a Butsudan anymore.
I guess, if you make me think about it, there are lots of things that could be considered religious. But honestly, these are just everyday things for me. I’m Japanese and it is part of my culture to do these things. I am not quite sure that makes it my religion. It depends on the person I guess. We don’t really talk about it that much.