December: Monthly memorial service and introspection meeting at Shokoji Temple

Monthly memorial service for memorial service and self-reflection

There may be times when you want to hold memorial services for a stupa, open and close the eyes of a memorial tablet, or hold other types of memorial services apart from a memorial service. To meet such wishes, Shokoji Temple holds a "Monthly Memorial Service" once a month.

Monthly memorial services are also an ideal environment for those who wish to reflect on themselves outside of memorial services. We also welcome the participation of those who simply wish to reflect on themselves.

For the reasons stated above, we will be changing the name to "Monthly Memorial Service and Reflection Meeting."

The "Monthly Memorial Service/Self-Reflection Meeting" is a joint ceremony, so those who wish to participate will gather together to perform the service. On the other hand, we can also accommodate those who wish to just hold the memorial service without participating.

Furthermore, this ceremony is not necessarily for parishioners only. We will also respond to requests from the general public.

The various memorial services, including those held at the Monthly Memorial Service and Introspection Meeting, are ceremonies aimed at facing the person being memorialized, reflecting on themselves, and chanting the Nembutsu so that the person will live a peaceful and happy life from now on and be welcomed into the Pure Land at the end. Therefore, it is very important to be present when a memorial service is held.

We can offer a wide range of memorial services, including memorial services for stupas, memorial services for memorial tablets, memorial services for needles, and memorial services for dolls. Although the appearances of these services are not uniform, the underlying theme for all of these services is the heart (soul) of the person who cherished them. Through memorial services, we come face to face with ourselves.

Of course, even if you don't have a loved one to offer a memorial service, there's no problem. Please feel free to join us.

 Today we held a memorial service for three dolls and a stupa.

Although each doll shows signs of deterioration over the years, the lack of damage shows that they were loved by their owners. The owners must have spent happy times with their dolls and are now active in society. We held a memorial service for them with the owner's gratitude.