hasunoha

On parishioners and freedom of religion

My husband's parents' house, whom I married and lived with, is a member of the Yutsu Nembutsu sect (Dainenbutsu).
Most of the 40 or so residents' associations are parishioners from the same temple, and each group (group) of the residents' association plays a role. Since there are 5 groups, the cycle is once every 5 years.

Until now, my mother-in-law played the role of the parishioners, but due to her advanced age, I will be in charge of this year's role.

There are events almost every month, such as the spring and autumn equinoxes, summer Sega demon, November, and general cleaning at the end of the year, etc., and they are detained all day long for cleaning the inside and outside of the temple and entertaining monks and amulets.

Depending on the event, it is decided that couples should come or that women come, so it's completely compulsory.
My confidence is despite not believing in Dainembutsu at all.
Doesn't this violate freedom of religion?

I'm also not convinced that the residents' association and the partisan association are integrated.
Also, a list is distributed to parishioners based on their family status and the amount of past alms. This is unthinkable in Christianity.

Every day I think too much, get sick, and think about divorce and moving.
Is there any way to personally leave the parishioners without getting into trouble with the neighbors?

4 Zen Responses

How to solidify one's religious beliefs and not get too caught up in correctness

There are three points to consider.
① Freedom of mind is hard to replace with anything
There is no true religion where voluntary choices are not allowed. This is because religion does not bind the mind; it frees the mind. Just as you can immediately think of the face of someone you like when you close your eyes, the face of Jizo naturally comes to mind, and if staying in that state is peace of mind, then it can be said that it is the core of that person's religious mentality. This peace is the only state of liberation.
So now, let's investigate whether the religious acts that are habitually performed around you and that you also participate in are salvation for you as true religion.
② Religious practices are everywhere
Japan, which lost the war, became a country where many unusually self-proclaimed unreligious people around the world lived because all “religious” things were thoroughly eliminated from educational sites, etc. due to the fact that national Shinto led the war. Nevertheless, during festivals and funerals, we get joy and peace of mind through traditional manners. There's a sense of religion there.
③ Don't prioritize “correctness” too much, prioritize elegance and serenity
There are many cases where individual religion and regional customs do not overlap, and problems and concerns arise. As a specific option, first try to be conscious of properly maintaining your own world where no one can step into your heart by following customary religious acts in isolation from social rituals. The Analects of Confucianism says, “Gentlemen are not equal.” Making peace is not about becoming the same and dissolving oneself.
If you can't maintain a sense of independence by any means, you can't make peace, and it raises painful feelings, every time a problem occurs, do your own experiments, etc., and devise ways to settle the case.
Also, it is important not only to prioritize correctness, but also to approach things with a feeling that prioritizes elegance and serenity. The world is full of things that aren't right. This is because standards of correctness vary widely from person to person, and correctness is only one factor that encourages people to act. Everyone lives in society in this way, and is being utilized by society. It is best to wait for a gentle change in customs while looking at Ori and voicing opinions as new residents without reversing Liu Mei. Life is impermanent, and leading roles always change. I hope you will take a close look at this logic and make careful decisions while maintaining a sense of independence somehow.

If you don't like it, make up your mind.

 If you really don't like it, you have no choice but to take action with someone who has the same feelings. I have no choice but to go say to the chief priest or chief priest that they are not alone and that they feel the same way. Don't get emotional at that time
① Why is it difficult to participate in events?
② It is possible to participate in such an event, but it is difficult to participate in this event for this reason.
③ It is difficult for my family to participate in events as a married couple due to these circumstances, so please take this into consideration.
Reasonable reasons, etc., should be clearly stated. Not all opinions go through, but aren't they an opportunity to think about it?
Speaking from my point of view, no matter what kind of event I do at my temple, gatherings aren't good, so I'm just envious.
Finally, if you just can't accept it, wouldn't it be a good idea to try living away from this land once? On top of that, if you feel that the religion of your family temple is necessary, I think it's okay to come back. The understanding of the family is also necessary, but...
As far as I can see the words of thanks, your answer is fixed. It's secession, isn't it? If religion is going to be a pain for you, quit already. I won't stop the eagle. I don't want to see people suffering from Buddhism, which I believe in. For now, please get away from here and start a new life. I pray that your life will continue to be fruitful. It's up to you whether you listen to the eagle's advice or not. Please do so at your own risk.

You just have to look back at the correctness

I think you're probably struggling with ❝ correctness ❞.
The correctness of the temple, the correctness of your husband, the correctness within yourself, and the Christian correctness.
If you truly understand that ❝ is correct ❞, you should feel refreshed.
The word “law” is translated as “as it should be.”
There is a limit to ❝ correctness ❞ of ❝ correctness ❞ according to the world of thought.
But that's right. Do you know what the essence of justice is?
In the political world, everyone's political party will insist on justice and correctness.
That's why disputes, in fact, disputes arise.
It's a lower level of “correctness.”
There is no conflict between Buddhism and the correctness of Buddhism. There will be no conflict. It's not just our own justice. That's why it's the right law.
If a dispute seems to be fought even in the name of justice, that is not justice.
This is because evil and evil against the right are born.
If you compare Anpanman to the children's anime, is the theory that only Anpanman is justice, and since it's justice, it's OK to kill all Baikinmans and make them extinct ❝ correct ❞?
There are also exclusive religions. Is the attitude of not acknowledging others ❝ correct ❞?
Even if you claim it's correct, it doesn't seem like it should be.
I'm a former Christian, and even monks sometimes have differences of opinion.
There is no such thing as which one is right in our relationship.
So what is important is ❝ law ❞ “as it should be.”
You have your life, even if your husband is the temple's guardian.
From the wife's point of view, I think it would be good to get involved only in her husband's hobbies, support for events that enshrine the ancestors who made the husband exist in this world, and the degree of aid should be made into a separate issue. Religion must not be imposed. The human mind comes before religion. My wife is a fan, but I am a Gohan person. It's natural that there is a difference.
If it becomes a trend where religion is prioritized over individual freedom or family love, it's not ❝ as it should be ❞.
If you don't feel well, and if you reluctantly go out even when you feel unwell, it's not ❝ the way you should be ❞ as your own way of life.
When you're in trouble, let's think about what you should do for this situation in each situation when you're in trouble.
❝ As it should be ❞ I hope you can ponder this.

About the Muradera problem

Peace of mind

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

In regions where there are still village societies and geo-related societies, there are village temples (temples that play a central role in village society, such as being a meeting place with local community associations, youth groups, etc.), and I think there are more than a few places where memorial service expenses and offerings are taken out from community membership fees to those village temples due to Jizo Bon and joint memorial services, etc. at community associations.

Also, as in Peace of Mind, if most members of the residents' association are members of that temple, I think that such customs and conventions are even stronger. Of course, money issues are also a matter of course, but compulsory assistance for that temple event is also an issue.

However, as is already feared, in such a village society, if you show clear dislike and oppose or criticize, it will only be half of the village, and it is quite possible that you will receive extra stress or harassment, etc., so as long as you don't quit the parishion/community association, it's still difficult in any case...

As a method, I think it would be a good idea to work with those who have similar questions and opinions to make suggestions and suggestions to the chief priest, responsible officer, and general representative, to encourage awareness reform, and make them quit such forced assistance. I think it would be good if they could at least confirm their intentions and confirm circumstances, and even if they let them help, I think it would be good to have them pay a reward (even at an hourly rate) from the temple as compensation for that.

Also, regarding “freedom of religion,” we have dealt with the following questions so far, so please refer to them.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/hasunoha_kawaguchi/tag/信教の自由

Anyway, first of all, please take care of yourself and take care of yourself. I pray that you will be able to head to a good place even a little bit and have a peaceful time.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho