Young Japanese Renew Interest in Buddhist Temples

Young Japanese in greater numbers are finding peace of mind by visiting Sanjusangen-do temple in Kyoto, according to the Daily Yomiuri. The temple is home for over 1000 Kannon bodhisattva statues, most of them life-sized, with 12 faces and 42 arms. Two of the arms are folded together, while the remaining 40 are each said to be capable of aiding people in 25 different ways, the Daily Yomiuri reports.

A bodhisattva (pronounced bo-duh-suht-va) is a Buddha that has chosen not to enter enlightenment in order to be a help to people living in the here and now. Bodhisattvas are capable of transforming themselves into something else (animate or inanimate) to influence others toward enlightenment. The 1000 plus bodhisattva statues of Sanjusangen-do temple are thought to be capable of 33 distinct transformations.

The Daily Yomiuri attributed the recent uptick in interest in Sanjusangen-do temple to a popular Japanese rock star, Jun Miura. Miura, age 51, is also a well-know writer and illustrator.

Christians know that real peace of mind comes through heart-deep faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Any other type of peace is counterfeit, and any other purveyor of peace, other than Jesus, is an impostor. The interest of Japanese young people in "peace of mind" stands as yet another hopeful sign of their being more open than ever before to the truth. The current focus on materialism and fascination with the non-Christian side of western culture is not yielding the peace of mind they desire. On the other hand, a renewed interest in Buddhism signals that we cannot take for granted that Japanese young people will choose Christianity. To be sure, they cannot choose faith in Christ, if they have never heard the truth of Him. And they cannot hear, if no one tells them. Who will go?

Pray for Japanese young people! Pray for the Nippon Initiative!