The Japanese have an intense love for all things cute or kawaii (?????????)…
So, when a story like this one gets picked up by the international press, it’s kinda hard not to comment on something as cute as this!
According to the Associated Press (AP) in Japan, attendance at a Buddhist temple in Okinawa has increased since the temple’s two-year old Chihuahua started joining in daily prayers.
Aptly named Conan, the feisty little critter sits on his hind legs, raises his paws and puts them together at the tip of his nose.
According to Joei Yoshikuni, a priest at Jigenin temple, “He may be showing his thanks for treats and walks.”
He continues: “Basically, I am just trying to get him to sit still while I meditate – it’s not like we can make him cross his legs!”
Of course, there still might be hope for Conan to participate in the daily meditation rituals as it only took him a few days to imitate the motions of praying.
“I think he saw me doing it all the time and got the idea to do it too,” says Priest Yoshikuni.
Buddhism has an extremely strong foundation in Japan as the religion first arrived in the archipelago 1,200 years ago from mainland Asia. In fact, almost three-quarters of Japanese people are registered Buddhists, though the only time they enter a temple is on their death bed.
As a result, the vast majority of Japan’s 75,000 temples are in serious financial trouble. Although funerals are a huge source of income, especially given Japan’s aging population, the temples will have to attract new followers if they wish to thrive beyond the immediate future.
Fortunately, since word started to spread about Conan, Jigenin temple now gets 30% more visitors than it did before. Truth be told, it may be a rather unorthodox way to attract new followers, but Japan’s temples have been anything but conservative as of recent.
According to Priest Kosuke Kikkawa, who recently organized a fashion show for Buddhist monks in Tokyo: “Many of us priests share the sense of crisis, and a need to do something to reach out to people. We won’t change Buddha’s teachings, but perhaps we need a different presentation that can touch the feelings of the people today.”
Fellow priest Hogen Natori, who has been performing his traditional mantras at jazz clubs throughout Tokyo, whole-heartedly agrees.
“Many Japanese don’t want to come to temple. They think Buddhism is very difficult, and deep and serious, but Buddhism is much more than that – exciting, funny even. I want to spread this kind of teaching.”
Fortunately for the monks at Jigenin temple, their rather photogenic praying pooch might just be the ticket to reviving interest in their faith.
In fact, following news of Paris Hilton’s exploits here in Japan, primed and pampered pet Chihuahuas have become all the rage amongst the young and fashionable.
Only in Japan!
** Photo of Conan was taken by the Associated Press (AP). The Buddhist images were courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project. **