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Dec 28 2011 18 Comments

Buddhist vs Christian

As the Buddhist slowly approached and then passed the Christian, no words were spoken. In fact, there wasn’t even a nod, just a glance.

Yet it was a reaction nonetheless. One that, despite its minimal nature, was still more than either of them could muster from the masses.

Japanese Christian and Buddhist

Categorized: Photography, Religion

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Oli. says

    12/28/2011 at 8:07 am

    In cash they trust…

    Reply
  2. rururan says

    12/28/2011 at 8:59 am

    I really don’t know if I can or should maintain any faith in any of them religions.
    When you are not one of the hard core fans of one or the other, they can get along pretty well.
    Like at grandma’s: http://bit.ly/sfO4qQ

    Reply
  3. melon says

    12/28/2011 at 11:29 am

    not really on topic but i’m loving that grey coat on the left

    Reply
  4. James says

    12/28/2011 at 2:59 pm

    I dunno, I am a hard core fan of Jesus, but that scare-the-hell-out-of-people “tactic” just don’t work for me. I suppose it might work for some, but that doesn’t seem to be doing the job here. Personally, I think if you want people to know about God’s love, no matter who you think He is, then show them.
    Asking for money for blessings seems greedy and misaligned, and threatening people into faith… these seems to be very un-divine motivators if you ask me… (which no one did.)

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/29/2011 at 11:31 am

      Yeah, I totally agree.

      Reply
    • Ben says

      12/30/2011 at 7:09 am

      Totally agree, James. Fear will never drive a person to Jesus, but perfect love (Jesus!) drives out all fear (of punishment). Good call on that one.

      Reply
  5. F. says

    12/28/2011 at 5:57 pm

    Ginza?

    Reply
    • Gijs says

      12/29/2011 at 5:33 am

      So it says on the metro station entrance 🙂

      Reply
      • Lee says

        12/29/2011 at 11:28 am

        Yes, Ginza!

        Reply
  6. dochimichi1 says

    12/28/2011 at 11:17 pm

    Fantastic outfit on the Buddhist person! Love the quiet dignity, with which the donations (?) are gathered.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/29/2011 at 11:32 am

      He certainly makes for a striking sight in busy Ginza.

      Reply
  7. Hans ter Horst says

    12/29/2011 at 2:54 am

    It is a mendicant monk from one of the temples on Mt Koya; he is not asking money for a blessing, he blesses you if you donate a little money for his meal. A temple stay at Mt Koya is really a great way of catching a glimpse of how religion works in Japan (I really enjoyed it).

    However, when I showed my photo of a mendicant monk in Ginza to some Japanese friends, several told me that there are actually quite a few fake monks supposed to be going around in Tokyo which really saddens me. Here is my take on a similar shot: http://monochrome.me.uk/blog/p/280

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/29/2011 at 11:35 am

      Really nice photograph. Great contrast between the monk and the young women.

      Never done a temple stay. Will have to look in to that. Sounds interesting.

      Yes, I’ve heard that too. Tough to say if he is for real or not, although I’ve been told that if they bear the name of a temple, they are far more likely to be legit.

      Reply
  8. Gijs says

    12/29/2011 at 5:34 am

    I heard that some of the Buddhist priests are actually beggars in priest clothes. Do you know anything about that Lee?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/29/2011 at 11:39 am

      Yeah, like I mentioned in the comment above, some of them are said to be fakes. But how true it is, and how many are fakes, I really couldn’t say. Having seen countless such people in my time here though, it seems to be an awful lot of trouble to go to, as they don’t seem to get many donations at all.

      Reply
  9. Zoglog says

    12/31/2011 at 12:29 am

    In Japan now on vacation and was @ Shibuya. Saw those Jesus people blasting off @ the crossing. Was my friend’s first time in Japan and he was shocked by the presence.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/31/2011 at 11:32 am

      Yeah, I’ve seen them all over the place. Shinjuku. Ginza. Ueno. Even saw a truck driving round blaring the same message out in Shibuya yesterday. Pretty common at this time of year, but the numbers do seem to have grown this time.

      Reply
  10. LA Observer says

    1/6/2012 at 3:04 pm

    Yes I am with “melon” [28 Dec 2011] on this one. The girl’s hair is so gorgeous. Just goes to show, the eye of the camera catches much more than was anticipated.
    Nice photo Lee !

    Reply

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