What do you do at a temizuya?
In short
Good to knowIt is where you purify your hands and mouth before praying. Never touch the ladle with your lips; rinse your mouth with water poured into your palm.
When does this apply?
At the temizuya (also chozuya) near a shrine entrance, the basic order is: hold the ladle in your right hand and rinse your left hand; switch hands and rinse your right; switch back, pour water into your left palm and rinse your mouth.
Why?
It comes from the idea of cleansing body and mind with water before coming before the deity. Purifying first, then praying, is the usual sequence.
What to do
- Rinse in the order: left hand, right hand, mouth
- Use water poured into your palm to rinse your mouth
- Finally tilt the ladle upright so the remaining water rinses the handle, then put it back
Better to avoid
- Put the ladle to your mouth
- Swallow the water or spit it back into the basin
Exceptions and differences
Some temizuya have running water instead of ladles, and some are temporarily closed. If a temple has a temizuya, purify yourself in the same way.
Manners can differ by region, facility and generation. Local signs and staff instructions come first.
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Sources
- Shrine and Temple Traditions(opens in a new tab)
- 参拝方法 (How to worship at a shrine)(opens in a new tab)
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