Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyororin
As it holds some of the ashes from the cremation, it is also the closest place in the house to the deceased - so is the place to "talk" to the dead. Prayers for the dead, to the dead to protect the family, and a place to relay family news to the dead.
I have yet to see any Buddhism connected to it in daily practice - it falls more into the tradition of relatives becoming family "gods" once they pass away. The form is just taken from Buddhism. That said, Japanese "Buddhism" is a thing all it`s own, so comparing it to other forms of Buddhism is kind of futile.
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Thank you Nyororin, because I was having some doubt as to my understanding of the use.
The shrine in my home is a blending of several beliefs and customs which would be misleading to many people who might recognize one item and not another. Most incorrectly assume it is Buddhist; I simply give them credit for understanding that my faith is something based in Asian culture unless they ask about it.