Sanpai - Shrine Worship
The proper method of worship at Shinto shrines.
Sanpai is the formal worship at shrines following prescribed etiquette: passing through the torii, washing at the chozuya, approaching the haiden, offering coins, ringing the bell, bowing twice, clapping twice, offering a prayer, and bowing once more.
With sincere heart and proper form, our prayers reach the kami.
Proper sanpai demonstrates respect and creates the conditions for divine encounter.
Shrine traditions
Written about in
- What Shinto says about reverence
Worship follows a set order: through the gate, wash, approach the hall, offer a coin, ring the bell, bow twice, clap twice, pray, bow once more. Knowing the sequence is most of what a visitor needs.