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When the first Japanese immigrants came to the White River Valley in the
late 1800s and early 1900s, they brought with them the practices and rituals
of their Buddhist faith. One Buddhist tradition is to have a family shrine,
or butsudan, in the home. The butsudan is placed in the central
location in the home to emphasize the importance of the teachings of the
Buddha to enhance daily life. It is also used as a focus for family members
to reflect on their lives, as well as their ancestors. The family Buddhist
shrine and its maintenance serve as a mirror for each person to see their
true self and to fully awaken their religious consciousness.
The butsudan is used by the family in daily rituals, as well as on special
occasions during the year. The ritual usually begins with ringing a bell,
which symbolizes unity and wisdom. Then the first serving of rice is placed
on a special plate in front of the representation of the Buddha (which is
located in the center of the topmost shelf in the altar). Next the family
says or reads their prayers. Finally, the bell is rung again to indicate the
end of the ritual. There are always at least three other articles that are
placed on the altar: a flower vase, a candleholder and an incense burner.
The flowers and candlelight represent the compassion and wisdom of the
Buddha. The burning of incense has many symbolic interpretations to
Buddhists. The change from powder to smoke to scent represents how the form
of something may change but its essence remains (for example, the body may
die, but the spirit continues, transformed).
The White River Valley Museum is fortunate to have a butsudan in its
collection. This turn-of-the-century Buddhist family shrine is 51" tall
and 18" deep. It is made of wood, and the exterior surface is lacquered
black, while the interior is decorated with gold paint and gold leaf. It is
divided into two sections. The upper section has a double set of doors which
open into the interior of the shrine. The lower section contains
compartments and drawers which could be used for storing the various items
used in the rituals.
This large and elaborately crafted family shrine contains many details of
symbolic and religious significance. For example, the various shelves and
levels represent the levels of existence in the Buddhist world view. At the
top are depictions of birds and other symbols which represent the Pure Land
(the heavenly world). The lower shelves have scenes of people and trees,
representing the earthly, everyday world. Another symbol which appears on
both the outside and interior of this butsudan is the lotus. To Buddhists,
this flower -- which rises immaculately white from the muddy water --
symbolizes purity and perfection unaffected by the impurity of the world
around it.
We have been able to piece together some of the history of the butsudan in
the museum's collection. The shrine belonged to a Japanese family that lived
in the White River Valley. Since the shrine is quite large and elaborate,
the family must have been relatively wealthy. At the time of the evacuation
of all persons of Japanese heritage from the West Coast in 1942, the shrine
was put in storage locally, possibly at the White River Buddhist Temple.
After the end of the War, the family never returned to claim it. It was
eventually donated to the museum, where it has been on display for many
years. If you have any information about this butsudan, or the family who
owed it, please contact Tina or Patricia (253) 939-2783.
Dr. Tina Brewster Wray
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