Is visiting a shrine an act of asking a question rather than making a wish?
Is visiting a shrine an act of asking a question rather than making a wish?
=At a shrine, you face not a god, but yourself=
When we visit a shrine, we are thinking of it as a place where our wishes are granted.
We tend to have an image in mind.
Prayers for success in exams, prosperity in business, and success in love.
At times of change or anxiety in life, go and make a request to God
That feeling is very natural.
However, in recent years, the idea that "shrines are not places to make wishes" has become more prevalent.
It has become widely spoken of.
So, what exactly is a shrine visit?
And if it is an act of asking a question rather than a wish,
What is the meaning of this?
The essence of visiting a shrine is gratitude and a vow
The original purpose of visiting a shrine is not to make a wish,
Many shrine information websites state that it is a way to express gratitude for the things we receive.
Ancient people were grateful for the blessings of nature, such as good harvests and abundant catches,
I offered these feelings before the gods.
Furthermore, in Shintoism, gods are not beings that grant human wishes,
It is said to be a great being that watches over us quietly.
Therefore, unilaterally wishing for someone to do something is
It may sound like you are ordering God.
It is sometimes pointed out that:
So, what is the act of worship?
Many Shinto priests and researchers have in common that
Worship is the act of expressing "reports, gratitude, and vows" before the gods.
That is what it means.
Instead of having your wishes granted,
"This is how I want to live"
"This is how I want to be"
This is the "subjective will" that is declared before the altar.
In that sense, worship is an act closer to a "question" than a "pray."
What is the "question" to ask before the altar?
So, what kind of questions are asked at shrines?
It's not a question to God, it's a question to ourselves.
A shrine is a place of silence, cut off from the noise of everyday life.
When we pass through a torii gate, we unconsciously
We are shifting our consciousness from the "profane" to the "sacred."
In that silence, we can find something inside ourselves.
You will have to face uncertainty and doubt.
for example
Do I really want that wish to come true?
What are you prepared to give up for that wish?
First of all, what kind of life do I want?
It's difficult to stop and think about these questions in our everyday lives.
However, when I stand before the altar, my mind naturally becomes calm and questions begin to arise.
What is shrine worship?
It is a ritual to ask yourself, "How do I want to live my life?"
Wishes tend to become dependencies. Questions help us regain our independence.
The act of making a wish can sometimes create dependence.
"Please make it happen."
"Please help me."
Of course, there is nothing wrong with praying like this when you are weak.
But if the wish becomes too strong,
"It's God's fault that it didn't come true"
"Isn't there a stronger god?"
Sometimes your attention will be drawn in that direction.
On the other hand, questions are different.
The question is,
It's an act of taking control of your own life.
"What do I want to do?"
"What do I choose?"
"What do I want to cherish?"
By asking questions, we become aware of the "seeds of answers" that lie within us.
Shrines are a place where we can quietly consider these questions,
Rather than giving the answer,
It's a place that gives you the space to find the answers yourself.
The etiquette of worship deepens the question
The proper way to worship is to bow twice, clap twice, and bow once more.
This series of actions is not just a formality.
・Bow deeply to calm your mind
・Clapping your hands is an action that connects your consciousness with God
・The final bow is a gesture of finalizing one's resolve
It is explained as follows:
In other words, the etiquette itself is
It is a physical ritual that allows you to realign yourself and deepen your inquiry.
From "wishes" to "questions." Visiting a shrine is a time to organize your life.
It's not that you shouldn't make wishes.
Wishes are natural human emotions.
However, it is important to reexamine the "true feelings" that lie behind your wishes.
This transforms worship into a deeper act.
What is shrine worship?
It is a time to quietly ponder before the altar the question, "How do I want to live?"
It's not a place to have your wishes granted,
A place to organize your life.
Conclusion
Visiting a shrine is not an act of conveying a "wish,"
It is the act of asking a question.
The question is not directed at God,
Something directed at oneself.
Shrines are not places that give you answers,
It's a place that gives you quiet space to find answers.
Next time you visit the shrine,
Please gently place the question deep in your heart before the altar.
Something deep within your heart will surely begin to stir.