I took over the temple, but I don't want to do any more

I am single in my late 30s and am the chief priest of a local rural temple.
Originally, I had disposable jobs such as part-time jobs and contracts, but due to various things, I wasn't good at socializing with people, etc., so I couldn't get any of them.

At that time, my parents, who are the chief priests, asked me to try the temple soon, and at first I didn't really feel like riding, but I made up my mind because I could eat it, so I made up my mind and finished my trip, and became the deputy chief priest.

I've been standing for a few years since I finished the line. My parents haven't been feeling well recently, so I have become the chief priest and hold funerals and memorial services.
I mean, I have a strong feeling that I was forced by my parent's chief priest, and I want to quit.

That's because it's in the countryside, so it's common for people to suddenly come and the phone rings early in the morning or at night when it's okay.
The point is that I hadn't heard such a story at all before it happened (it's also because I'm ignorant and clumsy) and the point is that I'm going to use the offering from here.

In particular, if the chief priest says that this is a kyo name, I don't want to say this much to the person who died every time that they wanted this much to be kept in the temple.
This is because after all, the amount of money is expensive, and even I, as the chief priest, think so if I think about it from the other person's point of view.

Even if I tell my parent's chief priest, this has been around for a long time, and if you lower it poorly, there is also the position of the predecessor parishioners who paid expensive alms until now, and they just need to be able to pay without it, so they should tell it like that at the funeral for the time being.

I have a strong feeling that it's like being a yakuza person, and since I've actually been doing it every time, I've come to the point where I can't go back.

No matter how much it is to protect the temple, I am seriously aware that parishioners also have a life. Recently, there are many parishioners who don't want to leave their homes or spend money on funerals.
I think about it every time. What on earth do I start a temple for... if I had this kind of thought every time, I wonder if my life would have been better if I had a hard time working hard while still working hard with a part-time job or contract...

Currently, the number of parishioners is around 400 when all of Kanmuji are combined. It's a level where I can fully focus on my current job, so I don't know what will happen in the future. There are a lot of Kanmu-ji temples, so there are a lot of memories.
The storehouse, main hall, and ground preparation within the precincts have almost been completed.

If possible, after taking care of my parents, I would like to do my best by myself until about 60 and hand it over to someone (someone else) who is motivated, but is it likely that there will be a successor?

4 Zen Responses

What on earth are you going to “do your best”

The direct question is, “Is there likely to be a successor?”

It might come, right?

There may be people who wish if “the Kururi, main hall, land preparation within the precincts, etc. have almost been completed,” “the current level of specialization is sufficient,” and “the current number of parishioners is around 400 when all of Kanmuji are combined.” I don't know your denomination, so I can't say anything, but I think there are various ways, such as contacting Motoyama and having a “motivated person (other person)” at a nearby temple absorb it. How realistically is it working?

That's the answer to your direct question.

However, I won't dismiss the fact that “the Yakuza Magical Thing” is written about “Obuse,” so I'll add.

If you're a monk, you know that.
There are different types of so-called “offerings.”
Mainly funds such as money and offerings made by “parishioners” to temples.
A law where monks speak the law, perform duties, etc.
A fearless act of saying smiles and kind words, such as the unscrupulous Nanase.

Whereas “parishioners” give money, you are mainly in a position to “enforce the law” and “act fearlessly.” “Yakuzagai” probably refers to unfair arrangements and acts as if unjust things are legitimate. You say it's “expensive,” so it's “yakuza.” So, if it's as low as “you can just pay without it,” wouldn't it be a “yakuza scam”?

You “didn't feel like riding,” but you earned it for the motive of “not eating,” and became a “deputy chief priest.” Even if the entrance is impure, I can understand if I want to become a monk suitable for my position and how to administer the law and fearlessness. But you say “I don't want to do any more.” This is not a period of weakness, and I feel that it originated from a way of life that imposes responsibility on people, does not take responsibility for self-determination, and tries to avoid responsibility, as can be felt from the entire sentence.

If the offering is “expensive,” how about making a proposal that realistically and constructively orients while considering the balance with the maintenance costs of the temple and listening to the opinions of the parishioners? Currently, if you are running away and are not trying to do law-enforcement and fearlessness involving content, that is “yakuza magic” even if it's 1 yen.

It says “I'll do my best by myself until about 60 after taking care of my parents,” but what exactly are you planning to “do your best” (character limit)

Let's work hard together.

I'm from home
Get rid of your job after 30
I went to a relative's temple.

Entered the temple as a complete amateur
Due to unexpected industry conventions
It was tiring
Get legal friends from outside the denomination
It's up to now.

It's a cross-sectarian training that I also learned
Do you know “Future Chief Priest School”?
I definitely recommend it.
http://mirai-j.net/next

As a reference about faith and the way temples are

Krypton

Originally, a religious corporation consists of a general assembly of believers, a responsible board of directors, and a representative responsible officer (in most cases, the chief priest).

Furthermore, if it is not an independent organization, there is a comprehensive organization, that is, a head temple, as an inclusive organization, and each is stipulated in various ways by law, rules, detailed regulations, etc. as a religious corporation and as an inclusive organization.

Of course, there is the question of whether it is functioning properly, but the representative responsible officer is the representative director in terms of the company, and has a certain amount of authority.

It would also be possible to direct with a certain degree of authority at the General Assembly of the Christian Believers and the Responsible Board of Directors and set out your own policies.

Anyway, the parishioners system where temples have settled until now is collapsing.

Even though they are conservative in the countryside, if they are not satisfied with donations or donations due to the current situation and generational change, the followers will move away more and more, and they will not be able to be coerced forever.

Your own thoughts were expressed at the General Assembly of the Christian Believers and the Responsible Board of Directors, and I think it is a position where reforms can be carried out.

There is something I am paying attention to as the way temples will be in the future.

This is Honbutsu-ji Temple of the Nichiren sect in Fukuoka.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUZtWL-WL1aAlZQT9-UB5QQ

There is a balance between the Christian believers system, apprenticeship system, and hereditary system, and I think it will be particularly helpful for religious beliefs and the state of temples.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho

There are parts I understand.

At a time when everyone's income is falling and it's difficult in this time of year, you probably feel “yakuza is wrong” that only we are not adapting to the social situation and that they are still setting high alms.
I think it's wonderful to put aside the significance of the offering for now, and to feel that way.

Even in my area, there were occasional voices saying, “I sold rice paddies to buy a hospital name.”
There are places where the chief priest is tyrannical, and even though the send-off after the funeral hasn't finished yet, he went back first and said, “There aren't many offerings!” There were many actions such as calling the mourner who was in the midst of grief, and the hearts of the parishioners completely left the temple.
I've been watching from the sidelines and wondering what merits there are in feisty offerings...
I think Mr. Krypton, who doesn't get out of touch with the general public, has the qualities of a good chief priest in a sense.

It depends on the region, but in the case of Danka-ji Temple, the distance between the parishioners and the chief priest used to be closer, and I don't think there was a fixed amount due to the circumstances of each house.

Speaking of ideals, the best thing would be for each person to give as much as they can, with a spontaneous feeling that they really sincerely “want to make offerings to that temple.”

If I were in the position of a parishioner, I would like to become a kind-hearted temple parishioner who would think about this situation.

We are no longer in an age of hereditary riddles, so if my conscience hurts any more, I think it's okay to apply widely, even from the general public. That's because temples aren't owned by families or individuals.
If it's a mantra, I'll go (laughs)

You'll get a lot of stress, but take care of yourself.

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