Golden Temple of Japan and Golden temple of India

 Golden temple of Japan

KINKAKUJI

The Golden Temple of Japan is the most famous and historical Buddhist temple. The temple was built in 1937, However, it was burnt by a monk student Hayashi Yoken in 1950, and rebuilt in 1955. The length of the temple is 11.7m and 8.5 mm and the height is 12.5 m. This is not an exact quantity, but around 20kgs of Gold has been used for the plating. This Golden temple was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, originated as his villa. The temple is located in Kyoto, the southern side of Japan. This temple is popularly known as KINKAKUJI. The name Kinkakuji is derived from the gold leaf that the pavilion is covered with. Here KIN means gold, KAKU means a palace or building, and TERA is a temple. And ROKUON-JI is the official name of this O-tera (temple). 

It is one of the most attractive places in Kyoto. The easy and cheap way to get to Kinkakuji is by bus. Buses depart from the main station terminal. Once you reach Kinkakuji, you need to pay the entry fee of 400 JPY (around 270 INR). However, you can not go inside the temple. During the autumn, the falling of red and yellow leaves and the reflection in the pond makes it more beautiful, that you can not take your eyes away. In the winter, the temple covered in Ice is the scenic beauty one should never miss. Along with the Kinkakuji, with around 15 mins walking distance, there are other two temples, named Ginkakuji also known as a silver temple, and Kiyomizudera. Around the temple, there are not many restaurants, or shops located.

KIYOMIZUDERA

GINKAKUJI

The Golden temple of India

GOLDEN TEMPLE

Golden Temple of India is a Sikh Gurudwara, located in Amritsar, Punjab. Founded by 5th Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev. When it was originally built, gold was not used. It is 4177 sqft in size. In 1809, Maharaja Ranjit Singh applied marble and copper. And in 1830, it was overlaid with the Gold foil. At that time around 750Kgs of Gold had been used. Gold has been reapplied in the 90s. And around 160Kg more gold is going to be applied. This Sikh Gurudwara is popularly known as ‘The Golden temple of India’, also known as, Harmandir Sahib, Darbar Sahib.

Though it is a Sikh Gurudwara, it is open for all religions and with no entrance fee and langar. Langar is a portion of food provided by the Temple. However, traditional attire is mandatory and the head must be covered by Dupatta (veil).

To get to Golden temple, there are direct flights from all major cities, however, due to the Fogg flight delays could occur. Another option is the train. Amritsar is divided into old and new parts. Golden temple comes under the old part. It is located 15 minutes from the railway station. Temple management committee gives the service of the free shuttle buses. The best season to visit the temple is October-November, February-March, As in the summer, it gets hotter and very cold in winter.

Japanese Education System

The Japanese education system is different & ideal as it emphasizes building a base for their responsibilities & ensuring that children are capable of cleaning, caring & being polite. You must be aware that children in Japanese schools clean their classrooms, cafeterias & even toilets. 

A great thinker, Clarence Thomas said - 

"Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot"

Japanese people believe in practical knowledge by giving children a chance to exhibit manners. In Japanese schools, the most common scenario is children having their meal together. This makes them learn table manners, sharing of food, eating healthy food.

In this blog, we are going to give you a brief introduction to the Japanese education system. 

Nursery- 0-5 years 

保育園 - Houikuen

The number of children going to nursery school is high in Japan since both parents are working. Though it is not compulsory to go to nursery, it is common in Japan. 

Kindergarten - 4-5 years

幼稚園 - Youchien

Kindergarten is also not a mandatory schooling system in Japan.

Children who are 4-5 years old go to kindergarten. A child learns many activities & social skills during this phase. They make students write essays on various topics and read aloud in front of the class to overcome stage fear.

Elementary / Primary school - 6 years-12 years 

小学校 - Shougakkou

In Japan, for elementary school students, the school does not conduct examinations till 4th Grade. They consider that at this age, children should establish good manners & develop a personality first instead of testing their knowledge through exams. 

During this first period of schooling, children learn to respect people around them, animals, nature & so on. At a very young age, they also learn to be generous & empathetic. 

Japanese people appreciate the principle of Morals > Study.

Junior high school - 12 years -15 years

中学校 -Chuugakkou

In most junior schools in Japan, school uniforms are compulsory.

In Japan, there are many Government & Private schools. 

The fee structure varies from Government schools to Private schools. School subjects for junior high school are more or less the same as primary school, that includes, Mathematics, Japanese, English, Homemamaking, Arts, Social studies, Music and many more. 

High school - 15 years - 17 years 

高校 - Koukou

Students enter high school at the age of 15 years & study for three years. Compulsory subjects include Mathematics (Suugaku- 数学), Japanese

(Nihongo - 日本語), English (Eigo - 英語), Social studies 

(Shakaika - 社会科）

Other subjects that are incorporated during this phase of schooling are for the overall development & based on children's likes. 98% of students go to high school in Japan. 

College/University 

大学 - Daigaku

University students are known as  Daigakusei - 大学生 

The students of 18-21 years go to university. While being a part of the university, some students even do their part-time jobs (Arubaito).

A college education is not mandatory for all in Japan. Approximately 53.3% of students go to University. The fees for University are average 5.4 Lakh Yen

(Indian Rs- 3.5 Lakh) 

To lessen the burden of the educational fees, students in Japan can opt for Education loans & even Scholarships once they pass the entrance exam.

(Nyuugaku Shiken -入学試験)

 In Japanese schools, students also conduct cultural events, exhibitions, etc. Japanese people are keen to learn many new things, such as learning English, Hindi, or other languages, Yoga, and so on.

Japanese titles used after names

  To address people suffixes such as ~San, ~Kun, ~Chan are used in Japanese. These titles are mainly used with surnames. One may call others just by their names if they have close relationships with each other. Let's learn with whom these titles can be used.

1) ~さん San: ( Satou San)

It is the most commonly used way of addressing people, irrespective of their gender. It can be used in most situations. This suffix is added after the name of the person. It is equivalent to Mr. / Ms. or Mr. / Mrs etc.

Japanese people never address others just by their name, they use "San" which shows respect. 

2) ~様 Sama: (Satou Sama)

It is a more polite form of san & it is the most honorific word that is commonly used towards customers, guests & divine Gods. 

Examples, Okyaku-sama (customers), Kami-sama (God)

 

3) ~くん Kun: (Satou-kun)

It is an informal title used for boys and men who are younger than

you. This is used to address those of junior status. 

4) ~ちゃん Chan: (Satou-chan)

It is an informal title used for young children (girls and boys) and close friends or family members. Chan is used in cases where people know each other for a long time. 

5) ~先生 Sensei: (Satou-sensei)

Sensei refers to those who are in the field of education.

It is commonly used for Teachers, as its real meaning is a teacher.

One may use it for Doctors, Artists, and so on.

6) ~先輩 Senpai: (Satou-senpai)　

Senpai means a senior who is more experienced. It is normally used for your seniors at the workplace, college or University & even clubs, etc. Senpai is used even without attaching a person's name. 

7) ~博士 Hakase: (Satou-hakase)

Hakase is addressed to people who are highly experts in academics.

In English, it refers to a person who has done a Ph.D. 

For instance- Satou Hakase (Professor / Dr Satou) 

8) ~殿 Dono:(Satou-dono)

Dono was the commonly used suffix in the Edo era, equivalent to the “san”. Nowadays it is mainly used in mails.

9) ~氏 Shi (Satou-shi)

Shi is used like Mr./Mrs. For the third person. It is generally used in a written language, such as emails, etc. It is an honorific suffix.