A visit to a temple in Sunshine City with Fumitaka San

This is the temple my friend Fumitaka took us in Sunshine City. I bought a temple book here and had a signed. This is a tourist tradition and a way to raise funding for the maintenance of the temples.

It was cold and beautiful. My friend Fumitaka explained that although he believes in the Shinto religion, he is also a Buddhist. He could not really explain how he could be both, but he said most Japanese are.




At the temple, Mark, Brian and I had the opportunity to see many women in kimonos. Fumitaka explained that they belonged to tea ceremony societies.













Some of the similaries I found between the Japanese and the Hispanic, so far, are: The languages are phonetic. We are both superstitious and have many "saints-godlike figures" to pray for different kinds of needs.

We also have strong regard for family, honor, and food.











I think Fumitaka had a lot to do with my desire to be in this land of amazing contrasts. Thank you Fumitaka San for inspiring me to come and learn! May the Buddha of long lasting friendship be gracious to our friendship through our children. May we keep in touch and help them develop a relationship similar to ours.

Fumitaka's stay in our home and the way he hosted my family in Tokyo make me be for ever greatful to have had such a great friend on my life's path.