hasunoha

I want to learn Buddhism. Please tell me

It's a long sentence, but I would appreciate it if you could take a look.
I heard that my great-grandfather was a deputy chief priest at a place called Suma-dera in Suma-ku, Kobe. I think it was before the war in terms of age, but it wasn't confirmed at the temple office, so I'm not sure. My great-grandfather left Sumadera for some reason and moved to a temple called Zenshin-ji in Nagata Ward, Kobe City. After that, my great-grandfather's son-in-law took over, and now another person is the chief priest.
My grandmother's 49th memorial service will now be held at Zenshin-ji Temple, so it seems like the relationship continues.
My great-grandfather built the graves of my ancestors at Suma-dera Temple. After the memorial service on the 49th, people from Zenshin-ji Temple will come to Suma-dera Temple for the ossuary.
Until now, I had no interest in religion, but when my grandmother passed away, I became interested in Buddhism due to feelings of gratitude and regret for my grandmother and the presence of my great-grandfather, who was a monk of the Shingon sect.
I want to learn Buddhism thoroughly, make memorial services for my ancestors, and use it as a hint for my own way of life.
There is another reason I wanted to know more about my great-grandfather, and I am the eldest son who inherits the surname my ancestors kept. My great-grandfather has 13 children, of which 4 are men and the youngest of 13 siblings is my grandfather. And my father is me, but my grandfather's brother and sister's children are only women, and I have the only lineage where I can keep my last name. I have 2 children, and both of them are boys, so I hope that descendants who can protect their surnames will prosper again from here on out.
As a result of these circumstances, I didn't think it was a coincidence, and I began to think that the will and wishes of my ancestors were entrusted to me.

I'm sorry it's been so long, but I'd like to ask you some questions, thank you.
・As I study Buddhism in the Shingon sect, I would like the chief priest of Zenshin-ji Temple to become my mentor and monk, but could you become a master and monk in order to learn Buddhism while working? Would it be rude to ask that?
・Is it possible to earn while working and learn as a Buddhist disciple?
・I think my family temple is Suma-dera Temple where my tomb is located, but is Zenshin-ji Temple where we should deepen our relationship from now on?

I didn't ask my father in too much detail about his lineage or denomination. I want them to know my roots through this relationship and pass them on to my children.
I'm sorry it's been so long, and thank you for your support.

4 Zen Responses

The most important thing for a monk is to listen and receive teachings

Relationships are a source of support, and they also cause suffering. I'm not denying your thoughts and feelings, but since each child has their own life, I don't think they should be bound by relationships for reasons.

When you learn Buddhism, getting away from your obsession also becomes Buddhism. If you get caught up in your last name, things you can't see will come out. You could also lose something important. For example, are men the only ones to take over? There may be families that will die out, but even so, what about the woman's family and her feelings about getting married? Having a last name is important for both men and women. I've also heard about the issue that parents oppose marriage because of that. Therefore, when connecting your feelings, I don't want to push them. (From your question, I felt a strong commitment to surnames)

Regarding the question,

Studying Buddhism and becoming a monk are two different things. I think the chief priest will ask you why it is necessary to get a degree, but when it comes to receiving a score, you will need approval (permission) from the chief priest of the temple you belong to, so I think it would be a good idea to ask Zenshin-ji Temple. Even if there is a tomb, I'm indebted to them now, and the relationship of hearing Buddhism up close is Zenshin-ji Temple. First, let's take the opportunity to come into contact with Buddhism.

I am a member of the Jodo Shinshu sect, and learning comes from listening to Buddhism. Listening is more important than anything else. Repeated hearings and receiving teachings is the most important thing for monks.

That's probably true even in the Shingon sect. Talk to Mr. Zenshin-ji, who is closest to you, explaining Buddhism.
Then, through relationships, let's show your children how you live. Inheriting is just a parent's (your) wish, and walking Buddhism is a matter of my (your) own life, not anyone else.
While watching your way of life, your child will learn to value their own way of life. No matter what path it takes, please be someone you can cherish and respect.

I got married, but regardless of my last name, I take good care of both families, and I'm practicing Buddhism, and I'm not thinking about having my son inherit it according to my wishes. That's for her to decide. Since the way of life is decided by the person himself, it is decided firmly. You can probably learn the preciousness of Buddhist relationships from the way I live.

Korokorosama

The most important thing in learning and practicing Buddhism is the “Bodhi Heart.”

Everyone, including myself, aspires to walk the path of Buddhism, which is a path to save everyone in the midst of this suffering of reincarnation.

It is what causes this “Bodhi Heart” to become a person who truly walks the path of Buddhism, and it has nothing to do with monks and customs.

Formally, simply receiving a degree or admonition is nothing.

Those who accept the “Bodhi Heart” and work hard at Rokuharamitsu even without taking the commandment separately are those who walk the path of a good Bodhisattva.

The biggest adverse effect of Japanese Buddhism is the hereditary system, and even if you don't have the most important “Bodhi Heart,” you can treat Buddhism as a monk if you meet certain conditions for any qualifications.

Also, it's not like you have to learn from anywhere or from anyone.

That's exactly what you can learn as much as you want if you want to learn from the internet or from Hasunoha.

For example, if you want to learn Buddhism comprehensively, just from the Dalai Lama's puja, there are things you can learn as much as you want.

Various explanations have been given, from the early Buddhist sutras to the sutras of Mujō Yoga Tantra.

https://www.youtube.com/user/dalailamajapanese

Well, I recommend that you not worry too much from the beginning and proceed with learning without being biased.

Gassho

First, try going to a temple

The fact that I wanted to learn Buddhism and firmly protect my ancestors by drawing on the thoughts of my ancestors was really wonderful, and I was thankful that I learned Buddhism (Shingon Esoteric Buddhism).

Well, the family temple is called the Shingon sect, so our ancestors have been the Shingon sect for generations.

If I want to learn Shingon Buddhism, do I learn at home to the extent I can?
There are two ways to learn, or to walk the path as a monk by practicing ascetic practices and receiving honors.

You probably want to learn as much as you can while working.

Please confirm that you would like to participate in the morning shift or evening shift or a memorial service that can be attended by the general public by calling the two temples, etc., and first, try participating.
The Shingon sect places emphasis on worship and prayer. I think it's more important than the Dharma.
I don't think there are many putras for morning work or evening shift work, but please listen to the sutras first. Also, try singing sutras that are relatively easy to give, such as the Heart Sutra, in a low voice.
How would you feel?

If you feel very comfortable and your heart is fresh...

If possible, try going to the morning shift before going to work.

So, if both temples accept it, please ask someone who feels good about yourself if you want to learn a little more about Buddhism while working from home.

Gassho

Additional note. In the Shingon sect, listening to sermons is also recommended for the general public, but what monks value is receiving various teachings directly from Daairi in various places after Denpō Kanjo is over (I think it's quite different from the Jodo Shinshu sect), and what is even more important is receiving those teachings and praying and worshiping. Rather, I think worshiping and praying is more important.

The viewpoint that Buddhism is not about learning what people call Buddhism

Did Buddha study Buddhism? There is something like Buddhism or something like the Bible, Bible, sutras, and (..) φmemo memo (..) humhm? no.
If you really want to learn Buddhism, don't fall into that trap. I used to read a lot of books thinking that learning Buddhism would be like, but even if I read Buddhist books, my knowledge of Buddhism only increased. Even if you say this person is your mentor... it's also different whether that person really revealed Buddhism or not.
There are probably plenty of soba restaurants all over the country. Among them, there is a god of soba that makes delicious soba even when it doesn't appear on the surface.
The same goes for studying Buddhism.
Buddhism is learned by monks and Buddhist scholars.
It was the Buddha and my ancestors who tried to learn the true form of self. If I don't reveal that, I don't think everyone's license will be passed on in the true sense of the word.
The origin of Buddhism is to seek and clarify “how humans can be saved” and “how to be saved from all kinds of suffering.” So, instead of studying Buddhism, study it. Know yourself. Know the heart. The relationship between this self's body and mind and events and mental effects. The materials you learn and the environment you learn are leaders who teach you the true state of this self. If you really want to learn Buddhism, whatever your denomination, you will be taught Buddhism, Buddhist studies, and monks studies unless you start a “person who has revealed Buddhism properly.” I think there are many people who don't understand the meaning of this, so please reread it at least ten times until you understand it. Many people try and fail to learn Buddhism. Shakyamuni, grandmasters, and excellent monks are not people who have studied Buddhism. Look at this self and stare closely at the effects of the self. It's about looking closely at the fact that things are knocked on (Nyorai Nyorai) without any sense of thought, values, right or wrong, likes and dislikes when they touch this body. That is what makes me learn Buddhism. because
This is because looking at everything that happens there without doing anything is the shortest way to clearly know oneself as it is = Buddhism.
Things happen, things happen, and those things are shown and projected. Everything I experience and is projected. This is called luck, and it is called the phase of life and death. The appearance of that thing comes and goes away like it is called Nyorai and Josai. Subculture is something that makes one imagine Buddha or Nyorai without looking at it. It doesn't matter who your mentor is, but what Buddhism should you really learn?