About Obon prayers

An Kuma-sama

This summer will be Mother's 49th, isn't it?
I felt that they wanted to work generously and give it to you.

Even though I have that feeling, if a monk with a hangover comes and is told the sutras, I think it's natural that I don't want to invite them.

We monks are humans too, so we can have times when we don't feel well, when we don't sleep well, and when we have a hangover. In particular, there are people who take pleasure in “having a monk drink a lot of alcohol.”
However, if you recite sutras the next day, I think you also have a responsibility to be careful not to do that.
Also, after working on sutras, I think we should talk about the Buddha even just a little bit.

It depends on the denomination, but in my denomination (Jodo Shinshu), I don't think there is any difference in sutras whether a high priest praises it or the general public praises it. Of course, there are good, bad, and unfamiliar, and unfamiliar, but there is no difference in the fact that these are Shaka's words.

If you look at this idea from one side, it can be said that “the chanting of sutras by a monk who comes with a hangover and only talks about small things is also precious.” Also, when viewed from the other side, it can be said that “even if ordinary people recite sutras, their preciousness does not change.”

This is an important first Bon Festival.
I want to be able to spend a time where I think “it was good.”

Obviously I have a hangover, which is a problem, isn't it? Incidentally, depending on the region, alcohol may be served to monks during the Obon festival, and it seems like everyone goes around wandering around.

Should I have that monk come back in the future? That's the question, but I don't think it's better than that. However, I think the problem here is that the chief priest's spirit and sincerity as a clergyman was not felt in Ankuma's family, whether it was wandering or plain face, or whatever. We're going to be in a relationship for a long time, so I think it's better for both of us to be clear once. If they seem to be drinking alcohol, why don't you say “I want you to come to my house plain face,” and when talking, say “I don't want to talk about my classmates today, I want to hear about ○○” (when it comes to classmates' stories, there's probably no offense, and I think it's kindness that people who talk about them will be at peace with each other).

Even an 80 year old monk is a lifelong ascetic. Also, I often notice my own actions only after being told by others. I think that if Mr. An Kuma-san also feels like a Buddha and reprimands bad behavior, the chief priest will surely change. If you do that, I think other parishioners will be happy in the future, and the spirits they worship will also be happy.

The most important thing is not the shape, but the intention to make a memorial service for that person.
There is a saying that it would be better to do it this way,
It doesn't mean you have to do it this way.
I think the best memorial service is the feeling that I want to do it for them.
Would a mother be happy to have sutras read to such a monk?
Please give her a memorial service that takes into account her mother's feelings.

well... the chief priest is in trouble.
“I came with a hangover, read sutras, and clearly had a hangover.”
No matter how much, this is not something we can allow in this day and age.

Well, wouldn't it be a good idea to ask the chief priest of the family temple in Kagawa prefecture where the tomb is located to talk about praying for Obon?
“You can't even come from Kagawa Prefecture,” and we asked you to contact us once without thinking.

Incidentally, I visit any place within Hokkaido if there is a request, and I try to ask if there is a request from outside Hokkaido.

I'm sorry.
I think there is also a way to introduce a temple where you can understand Ankuma's thoughts, or a good temple through an acquaintance and have them hold a memorial service for the first Bon Festival at the temple. I think that's the case with the Obon season.
I think we, monks, are a job that only comes from being recognized by the public. Future temple management may be difficult if both parties don't agree that they are cooperating to maintain the temple and that they are making memorial services for themselves.
When it comes to holding a memorial service, I think one way is to recite sutras. However, if people in the house who don't know the sutras hold a memorial service, I think it's important to face, have conversations, greet, and hold hands with and thank their ancestors every day. There is also a way to copy the sutras and make offerings for the memorial service! In fact, at the nursery school managed by our hospital, we use pencils to copy sutras in order to cultivate a heart of gratitude, concentration, and kindness.

Hmmm, that's a bit troubling, isn't it? As the same monk, it's embarrassing.

Of course, I think it's a good thing for everyone in the family to work hand in hand as before. However, wouldn't it be safer to have a new relationship with a temple you trust, come into contact with the law, and deepen your teachings?

Reading sutras is not a monk's job. On occasions such as Obon, the equinox, and the anniversary of death, we will walk together while telling you important things. I think this is also an important duty.

Funeral directors and the like in the neighborhood know the nearby temples in detail (contact information, purpose, and even monks). Why don't you ask me that? So, it's a good idea to visit a temple with the same purpose, check if it's easy to talk to them, and ask for it. If you don't go out with each other, you won't understand relationships.

Wouldn't it be a great relief from now on that there is an Ojigi-ji Temple where you can talk about anything (*^^*)

Don't hesitate to ask the family temple for your first Bon visit.
Even if we haven't been in a relationship until then,
In connection with my mother's death,
You should start connecting now.
On the contrary, I am happy when there is a request from someone far away.

If you're looking for other temples in your hometown to ask for moon visits, etc.
Why don't you visit that family temple?
I don't like monks who don't value once-in-a-lifetime meetings.

An Osho received a funeral request from a place about two prefectures away, and while on his way to the site with his apprentice, he was hit by an unexpected situation, and it seems that his arrival at the site was drastically delayed.
By the time we arrived, time had passed and the bereaved families couldn't help it.
I'm so embarrassed and sorry... that Osho and his colleagues had no place to live at that time...
It must have been a major turning point in my life. After that, it seems that the Osho became a Zen master who carried the sect on his back. There are times when humans make big blunders make humans grow.
No matter what position they are in, they are the same person.
We recommend that you choose words carefully, encourage them, and encourage their growth in order to make Osho a splendid person. Both the angry face of Fudo Myoo and the gentle face of the Buddha lead the same way.
The same brush for drawing demons and drawing Buddha. Forgiveness is love, admonition is love.
Since ancient times, it has been said, “Don't get angry with emotion, scold with affection.”
In modern terms, it may be better to “not scold with emotion, but admonish with generosity” according to the other person's abilities.

To Mr. An Kuma-sama

I think it's natural for people to feel that way.
As a fellow trader, I apologize.

Reciting sutras with the family is also a very good thing.
Especially since this happened this time.
However, of course, when you think about memorial services
It is best to have a monk recite the sutras.

At that time, issues with the family temple in the future will come up.
The coming era. I think we are now in an age where temples are also chosen.
Please consider it, if it is this temple
I would like you to look for a place that makes you feel like that.
Why don't you ask that monk to come over?

Gassho