There are no successors to the temple.

In the Jodo sect to which I belong, there is something called a “temple successor consultation system.”
This is to connect those who want a successor with those who want a successor.
Why don't you check if your temple denomination also has such a system?
Incidentally, I got my degree when I was 28, and after 2 years of training, I became the chief priest at age 30.
Before I got to work, I was an office worker and didn't come from a temple.
I was very uneasy about the ascetic practice (I didn't even know the sutras), but I was able to manage it.

Nobuka-sama is the only daughter of the temple, isn't she?

Well, this problem didn't just happen out of nowhere, but “do you intend to inherit the temple?” “What will happen to this temple in the future?” I see that this outlook and discussion has been carried out many times within the family, including considering going on to college or a place of employment.
On top of that, the fact that you haven't taken a particular view until now means that neither you nor your family have been very active in the option of Nobuka-sama taking over the temple?

Originally, temples are not hereditary, so I think it would be ideal if people who are motivated and value parishioners can enter the temple, even if they are not related by blood. There are many homegrown monks who are passionate about “I want to work as a monk or proselytize because my income doesn't matter.”
However, I also have feelings for the father and mother who have protected the temple until now, or relatives and parishioners who have watched over it. Since they are humans, there is also a big issue of compatibility and values.

Needless to say, what is important is not “what to do” or “how to make things work well,” but “what does Nobuka-san herself want to do.”

If you want to take over the temple, but you are uneasy about your ascetic practice and want them to push your back, I will do my best to support you.
If you want marriage hunting, it's too early to give up saying “I don't have a relationship” even though you're still young. I also know someone I know who is a young lady from a temple who welcomed her son-in-law when she was close to 40 years old, and was blessed with 3 children.
Or if you have something you want to do or dream other than a temple, I sincerely look forward to it coming true.

Above all else, the parents must put Nobuka's future happiness first.
Please tell me about Nobuka-sama's honest feelings.

　As soon as I graduated from college, I went to Motoyama for training, and I practiced for a long time. I thought that once I finished my training, I would have a decent amount of missionary work and ministry (work), and I had the same income as anyone else, but I didn't have a job. Rather than the fact that the temple is small and there are few believers, it is almost zero. It was my fault that I didn't listen to it, but there was also a time when my mentor who didn't say it felt bad. There have been many twists and turns, but now while working as a caregiver (part time), I am a role monk that is sometimes requested, and somehow earns income on par with others. I don't live in a temple, I live in an apartment. They are also married and work together. The kids are doing their best, but... The fact that there are few believers is often a negative effect, but I am relatively free, and I am confident that I can go anywhere if I am told to go to various trainings and proselytize. I have had quite a fulfilling day. Nobuka-san, I think her father, who is the chief priest, should have thought about the temple succession issue sooner. Still, what do you do with your life after being clear about what you want to do? If you don't think about when the chief priest passes away and consider leaving the temple, I don't think crisis management is enough.
Incidentally, I am the chief priest of the temple, and after that, I would like to work as hard as I can to increase the number of followers. It may be viewed critically by other monks, but neither the religious affairs office nor the main temple can be used. It's all at your own risk. No one is helping me. Monks who say pretty things are the only ones who betray you the most. (I was getting a little too emotional. I'm sorry.)
A small temple is really like a microenterprise. We place so much emphasis on tradition that we have lost sight of the essence. You can't keep it clean. Please be prepared to decide whether you should be the successor or do what you love.

This is an answer after watching “Thanks from the Questioner.”

When deciding on a marriage partner, there are people who decide because the conditions are good or bad, and there are also people who decide based on the feeling of being in love. So, I don't think that bad conditions mean that no one wants to come right away.

If you don't feel attracted to becoming a monk, it can't be helped, but if not, you may be able to first take 2 years to get a qualification and then slowly think about the rest.
I'll be 29 years old when I'm going down.
There was, but if you put off the answer, it could happen that when you walk down, you will be 30 years old, 31 years old... I know it's rude, but I can't say that one day my father suddenly... didn't say...

What you're worried about now will make you think “I'm sure it was a good, necessary worry” in the future. I recommend that you ask your father to introduce you to nuns who have had similar experiences (they must be in the same denomination or in the same region) and exchange opinions.

Hello. Nobuka Saon Apparently they're the same ST industry people. leave that up to me.
① matchmaking course
If you don't mind me, tell your husband... just kidding (laughs).
If you give me a quick phone call, I can ask Motoyama to recommend a matchmaking conversation.
If you get Muko, you'll be able to raise children easily.
Because it's Anata's parents' house ♪ Masuo has narrow shoulders. Somehow, someone who will take over this temple is necessary. I had a matchmaking experience with the humble YES man Unsui-san, whom my dad also recognizes.
If you can't support obedience and work, there are a lot of people who worked before training, so all you have to do is submit the conditions and search for people like that. If you hand over the temple in the future, it's OK if you can afford it.
② Escape from the temple course
It just so happened that the crazy guy was Gokudō! Looks like the house I was born in just happened to be a temple!
I chose to live without lying to myself honestly without listening to my parents' faces.
If you plan to do it with a sense of duty, it's better to completely burn out what you want to do ◎.
Since temples belong to a corporation in the first place, they cannot be made by individuals, so everything is in someone's hands. You don't necessarily have to take over.
③ Training courses
My friend Noah, a nun from the famous Oni Nunnery, said it was ridiculous.
“※Anyone can do bells, trees, and fish. What's important is group living. It means we can live together. Being able to do it at one's own pace is the most troublesome thing.” There are many people who have deepened their path in a sense, so there are many people who want to be themselves in a bad sense, and there are many unique people with strange beliefs and strong feelings they have even before entering. It's the same in the male monk world.
“Don't treat yourself in a bad way. I'm going to get rid of me and myself by the group rules. In a good sense, ascetic practice is Buddhism, so you should do yourself in walking that ※ path.” This is my advice. If there is bullying, please complain to the main office immediately.
The feeling that you have to protect your house and temple comes through a lot. ('・ω・`)
What a poor position. You can't even marry someone you like. The range of choices is limited. The tragedy of Oio (ToT) Bee Terrajo, who is in a position to protect homes and temples.
Conclusion: Parents are also asked to abandon “convenience for themselves.”
“What does your father (mother) want to do? What do you want me to do?” Let me express it clearly.
(^o^) Wattasinitte tehamshiro favorable conditions twowwit

Nobuka-sama

This is Kawaguchi Hidetoshi. This is my humble answer to the question.

Temple successor issue... I'm sorry for the feelings of Nobuka-sama, who is spending time under various restrictions... Originally, it is desirable for people who naturally have aspirations for Buddhism and became monks to enter temples... but this is not always the case...

If the general assembly of parishioners and believers is functioning, the temple successor issue should be formally discussed at the general assembly and the religious corporation/responsible board meeting. Of course, on that seat, I think it would be nice if Nobuka-sama would be given the opportunity to honestly express her intentions and thoughts as a successor candidate, and participate constructively in various discussions.

Also, when it comes to temples that have been handed down from generation to generation, for example, if there is a person of the law who is a relative and has a monk status, or if there is an interested person who has a monk status in the future, I wonder how to first seek to invite that person as a successor, or, as a concurrent deputy chief priest, or currently, as a concurrent chief priest, and now they are left to take charge of the temple affairs and legal affairs, the father knows his life I think it would be possible to think further about succession issues in between.

Anyway, in dealing with Buddhism, I know that ambition is more important than anything else. If we don't nourish that aspiration, in the end, we will reluctantly and unavoidably take it as appropriate, it won't benefit the parishioners and believers very much, and I don't think it will be OK in the future.

Question “I'm not sure what to do now.”
http://hasunoha.jp/questions/229

If it is possible for Nobuka-sama to nourish that aspiration, I think it would be a good idea to search for a way to remain in a temple or become a monk, and if that is impossible, I hope you can walk through your own life firmly with your own will so that you don't have any regrets.

Also, there may be various differences depending on the denomination, but depending on circumstances, even if you don't enter a specialized monastery for several years, I think there is a possibility that you can obtain a monk status by using a system called “Yasukai” where the training period for a fixed period of time is repeated for several years, so please contact the head temple and the religious affairs office.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho