Conversion and Revitalization of Buddhist Otera in Japan: A Religiosity-Historicity Study

Abstract

This research examines the conversion of function which is also known as the revitalization of Buddhist Otera in Japan through religiosity-historicity studies. It is important to use the religiosity-historicity study to examine two important aspects, namely the religiosity aspect because this is related to the traditional functions of the religious practices of Buddhists in Japan, and the historicity aspect because this event has developed far and even concerns tourism issues in Japan. The aims of this research were formulated 1) to describe the concept of Otera life from the aspect of Buddhism as part of a religious phenomenon in Japanese history, and 2) to find the conceptual reasons for the transition from Otera Buddhism to accommodation with a religious nuance for tourism purposes. The research method applied is qualitative descriptive research, while the source of data is library research and review by utilizing documents related to the research topic using exploratory theory. The research results show that the conversion of Otera Buddha to Hera-Taka accommodation with the Omotenashi concept does not leave the essence of Otera for the community to maintain the religious values they adhere to. The transition from Otera Buddha to accommodation with the Omotenashi concept offers three different service spaces, namely public space, private space and sacred space. Public space omotenashi is a hospitality service in the form of a room that can be used by visiting guests. Omotenashi in private spaces takes the form of room service by looking at the layout, decoration of facilities and infrastructure in the room. Omotenashi in sacred spaces is a service provided when guests visit Otera with various rules that must be followed in order to respect the space because it is related to elements of belief.