The monks at Hatsubon and the family temple are not allowed to come

I think Father's desire to work hard for the first Bon Festival is really precious. I'm sure the chief priest of the family temple would like to respond to requests if his physical condition permits.

Since I became the chief priest of the temple, I have fortunately never been hospitalized or forced to rest since I became the chief priest of the temple. But I still catch colds once or twice a year. Even when it comes to colds, there are a lot of differences in symptoms.
1. If you have a high fever and fall asleep.
2. If you don't have a fever but your throat is broken and you can't read sutras properly.
3. I'm wandering around, but somehow I can recite sutras.

In the case of 2, it's heartbreaking not being able to read sutras satisfactorily, but well, there is no choice but to somehow understand our physical condition and be convinced. In the case of 3, you can somehow recite the sutras, but I think you will have no choice but to refuse even if you are asked to attend the banquet after the memorial service. Now, the problem is case 1.
In this case, we have also asked you to change the schedule. I've even asked for a replacement temple. Just once, I went down with a cold during the equinox, but the mentor of the Higan memorial service worked somehow while wandering around, and luckily I wasn't receiving any other memorial services, so I was able to recuperate. But I think it was very difficult for the family at the temple. Other than that time, it never went down during the equinox or Obon season. At a time like this, it's almost impossible to suddenly ask Osho Yosho-san to act as a substitute. This is my experience as a chief priest.

The chief priest of your family temple can't recite sutras or perform funerals in response to the requests of the parishioners, which must be very painful. Even though I think I must perform funerals and memorial services as the chief priest, I think my state of health has made that impossible. If nothing happens, it would be possible to ask Mr. Osho from Yasho to act as a substitute, but it would be difficult during the Obon season. That's because any Osho would be satisfied just by maturing out the memorial services and sutras at his temple.
I can understand that I was uncomfortable with the reply from the family temple. I understand that, but please understand the state of health of the chief priest of the family temple, and also understand the difficulty of asking for Osho no Osho during the Obon festival. Realistically, I think we have no choice but to work as Mimom said.

“Hiyoko, in the current situation where it is impossible to recite sutras at the family temple, I think the best memorial service is for families to gather and talk. Gassho”

Even if they ask you to contact your favorite temple, it's usually a problem, isn't it? However, since the chief priest of the family temple is in such a state, it would be impossible for them to come.

A Buddhist altar is just a container, so what is important is the principal image and the throne (or past book). If possible, why not consult with the temple beforehand, bring your own table, and worship at the main hall. Also, why don't you gather with your relatives at your home for Obon.

I think there are other ways. I pray that the chick will feel even a little relieved.

[The following is a postscript in response to a thank you for the response from Hiyoko.]

Even though the chief priest is unwell, the fact that the temple's deputy chief priest or in-dai (acting chief priest) is not there is probably some inconvenience for all the believers. There is always a general representative of the Christian believers at the temple, so it would be nice if you could talk to that person. You can also consult with the sectarian office that oversees that temple, but since it takes time and effort, you may not be able to make it in time for Obon.

It's a sutra recitation tape, but does your husband want it? That's fine, but I'm aware that this incident is due to a discrepancy between the husband's wishes and the mother-in-law's. I think it would be wise not to increase your options too much other than what you two think.

If that temple undertakes the first bon festival, wouldn't there be any problems with the family temple?

Alternatively, any temple holds an Obon memorial service at the main hall, but you can also take a little time right after that to perform the first Bon ceremony. If you explain such circumstances and consult with them, there must be a temple that will take care of it.

Also, rather than playing a “sutra recitation tape,” I think it's better to read short sutras with family and relatives alone. Hatsubon is special, so I'm making sure you get the opportunity not only to recite the sutras, but also to listen to the monks' puja.

Hiyoko-sama

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

This is a question that really makes me think about the state of the Danke System and the Teradan System...

Until now, we have dealt with the following questions about the parishioners system.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/hasunoha_kawaguchi/tag/檀家制度

To be honest, the parishioners system is already collapsing due to various factors.

Since there are multiple factors involved in it, it is impossible to unequivocally specify that this is the case, but socially, for example, stagnation and succession of temple operations due to declining birthrate and aging population, nuclear families, unrelated socialization, increased breakdown in family heir inheritance, decentralization of inherited property (collapse of firstborn inheritance), criticism of funeral Buddhism, abandonment of Buddhism, funeral simplification, funeral obsolescence, abolition of precepts, etc.... Furthermore, on the temple side, the suspension and succession of temple operations due to the collapse of the financial base due to a decrease in the number of parishioners and a decrease in income The problem of personal hardship, of the hereditary system Various things can be listed, such as limitations, decline in the qualifications and aspirations of monks, decline in trust due to the secularization of monks, misunderstandings and low evaluations by the public, etc.

Anyway, the parishioners system is not as strong as it used to be, and I know it is undeniable that the system on the temple side is also quite weak and weakened... so it is possible for any temple to have such problems in the future...

Also, in a sense, denominations, temples, and monks are being sifted through by everyone, and it is becoming a tough time. Temples with weak physical strength and institutional infrastructure have been further eliminated, and it is predicted that polarization and differentiation will become significant in the future by heading to temples with better financial/institutional infrastructure.

Of course, I know that it will also be necessary to actively cooperate with the chief priest, deputy chief priest/successor, temple family, general representative, responsible officers, general delegates and responsible officers, and get involved by supporting them in various ways, etc., for memorial services from generation to generation, and if we want to continue our memorial services at the family temple.

Nevertheless, my efforts and relationships are no longer at their limit, and I believe that if we cannot maintain a relationship with that family temple, we will have to break away and look for a new family temple that is more stable in various aspects.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho