Sophia Datuin

11-B2

Reflection Paper

Before going to the Nichiren Shoshu Japanese buddhist temple, the apprehensions and
worries I had was that I might be able to have a hard time adjusting since they have a whole
different set of practices and rituals which I don’t know about. I was also scared that I might
commit a mistake inside the temple that might seem offensive or improper. I also was scared
since it was a whole new environment, I might seem uncomfortable with communicating with
the people there.

What I did to prepare myself intellectually, physically, and spiritually is that I researched
on the do’s and don’ts of what to do in a buddhist temple, then I prepared myself by wearing
appropriate attire such as wearing plain socks, and lastly I made sure to come in with an open
mind and heart with everything that was going to happen in the temple. What was helpful to me
was that I was able to research before hand the respectful practices of what to do in a buddhist
temple, but on the other hand, what didn’t work well was my group’s research was mostly based
on buddhism from India because we were only informed last minute that the buddhist temple we
were going to visit was Japanese. Nevertheless, everything went well and smoothly.

After visiting the Nichiren Shoshu Japanese buddhist temple, the surprising new things I
learned was that according to the reverend present, their type of buddhism does not practice
meditation in which we thought all buddhists practiced because their Buddha said your worries
and problems won’t disappear when you meditate. Another surprising new thing I learned was
that they do not have a Buddha statue or physical figure unlike other Buddhism denominations.

My encounter with other religions especially from this visiting experience enriched my
Catholic faith for I became more open minded and respectful. In relation to the Nostra Aetate,
this made me become more open to the different rituals, beliefs, and practices of other religions,
and to set aside the past judgments away. My Catholic faith was more enriched because by
knowing and becoming aware of other religions, it made me love my own even more and also
made me want to get to know other religions more because it really is amazing to see how our
differences makes us so unique yet united with each other.

I was able to encounter with God with the faithful of other religions by seeing Him in
them. Even if the people of other religions have their own beliefs, i still encountered God
because of the way they were so kind to us and super hospitable as they welcomed us into their
temples without any judgment. They were super kind and were willing to answer the questions
we had in mind about their religion. Through this, we experience God through the most
unexpected yet heartwarming ways.