Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. As we introduced last week, we spent “obon” for the last few days. I would like to introduce something related to Buddism today: Butsudan 仏壇 and Juzu 数珠.
[Butsudan 仏壇（ぶつだん）]
Butsudan are household Buddhist altars. They are box-like cabinets with double-leaf doors. The cabinets contain memorial tablets, small Buddha statutes, Buddhist paintings, and various altar goods such as candlesticks, incense burners, flower vases and platforms. Butsudan were originally for holding the statutes of Buddha. Today they are used as a place to commemorate the spirits of deceased ancestors. People pray in front of butsudan while burning incense.


Buddhist altars honor the momory of acestors and deceased family members.

[Juzu 数珠（じゅず）]
Juzu is a string off beeds which look similar to a Catholic rosary. The beads used are seeds, fragrant woods, metals, stones and shells. The numbers of beads are varied, but the most basic type has 108 beads which represent the 108 earthly desires from Buddhist teaching. Buddhist priests and worshippers hold juzu in their hands when praying or reciting Buddhist scriptures. People also use juzu with them when they attend funerals or visit graves to commemorate the deceased.



August 16th News, from NILS Japanese language school.