Kofuku-ji

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In Japan, a unique figure emerges as individuals have an average of 1.8 religions per person, due to the coexistence of Shinto, Christianity, and Buddhism. Notably, Shinto and Buddhism influence each other, forming nearly a single belief system. The distinction between Shinto and Buddhism in Japanese life is clear: they pay respects at a Shinto altar in the morning and a Buddhist altar in the evening. During significant life events and when praying for worldly well-being, they visit shrines, and when faced with death, they turn to temples. This harmony of Shinto and Buddhism, showcasing the integration of indigenous Shinto beliefs with the foreign beliefs of Buddhism, can be observed in the daily routines, seasonal practices, and life cycles of the people, as well as in the altars of homes and the temples and shrines of neighborhoods. As a traveler in Japan, one will encounter many shrines and temples, understanding that shrines are the dwelling places for the gods of Shinto, and temples house the Buddhas of Buddhism. Kofuku-ji, a temple of the noble Fujiwara clan from the early Nara period, was notably powerful and prosperous among the major temples designated for national Buddhist ceremonies. However, a significant fire in 1717 destroyed most of its major buildings. Moreover, the Meiji government's policy to separate Shinto, considered an indigenous religion, from Buddhism, resulted in the dismantling and demolition of buildings and fences, and the repurposing or export of documents and Buddhist statues. Today, visitors to Kofuku-ji will find only a few buildings and the five-story pagoda remaining.