Buddhism and LGBT
Buddhism and LGBT
LGBT is a term used to describe people with sexual minorities who have become widely known in recent years. LGBT are also called the third gender. Many foreign countries have already established legislation to recognize LGBT people and guarantee their rights. Here in Japan, one of the few countries in the world where legislation for LGBT people has been delayed.
Many modern Japanese temples are still unprepared for Buddhist affairs for LGBT people. "Tombs are for families with a blood relationship", "Men's law (Dharma name) is a scholar / resident, and a woman is a singer / sister", "LGBT weddings in front of Buddha are not allowed", etc.
Japanese Buddhism is called "Mahayana Buddhism" and is a Buddhism aimed at helping sentient beings. This Mahayana Buddhism in Japan has been "upgraded" over hundreds of years over the years, leading sentient beings to rescue many people. Regarding the Buddhist affairs of LGBT people, I think that Japanese temples have to raise their weights.
As a priest at Myorin-ji, I grew up in the United States from an early age, but I remember that there was less discrimination against LGBT people in the United States than in Japan. Because of such an upbringing, I am feeling the delay of Buddhist affairs every day regarding LGBT in Japanese temples.
I hope LGBT people will find it easier to live. So that there is no discrimination as much as possible. At Myorin-ji, we are working toward gender equality.
Myorinji 70th chief priest
Myorinji Tomb Garden
The graveyard of Myorin-ji Temple, which has a history of more than 700 years, has a flat terrain and you can visit with confidence even in a wheelchair.
It is a very quiet graveyard, 5 minutes walk from Oiso station and 1 minute walk to Oiso beach.
The precincts are open 24 hours a day and the lights are lit at night so you can visit at any time.
Myorin-ji also provides a graveyard for LGBT people who are not related to blood.
If the successor to the grave is gone, Myorin-ji will take responsibility for the memorial service for a long time.
Normally, the tombstone is engraved with "◯◯ house", but there is no problem if the desired word is engraved on the tombstone.
Currently, the graveyard is limited, so we cannot provide the graveyard to all those who wish.
Currently, we are offering the Myorin-ji Tomb Garden only for those who have been approved by the chief priest by the examination or who are introduced by the Myorin-ji Danish believers.
In addition, the Myorinji Tomb Garden is provided only 3 times a year.
Myorin-ji Tomb Garden
One block 1,000,000 ~
Permanent usage fee, gravestone, gravestone Kaname engraving fee, construction cost,
Bone payment and eye opening method required
* The permanent usage fee is a fee for acquiring the right to use the land for a long time, and it is dedicated to the temple to obtain the permanent usage right. Permanent use right is the right to use the land for a long time. Instead of buying the land, you "rent" it from the temple. Therefore, there is no consumption tax or gift tax. The Danish believers can maintain their permanent right to use by paying the management fee set by the temple every year.
* If you bring a grave to the Myorin-ji Tomb Garden, you will be asked to be the Danya of Myorin-ji Temple (excluding the Tensei Mausoleum).
* Cemetery construction will be carried out at a reliable stone store designated by the temple unless there is a special reason.
* If there is no successor to the grave, a deadline will be set (for example, until the ◯◯ memorial service), and the ashes will be buried from the grave to the Tensei Mausoleum, and Myorin-ji will be responsible for the memorial service for a long time (Tensei). A separate payment is required for burial and permanent memorial services at the mausoleum).
Eternal memorial tomb Tensei Mausoleum
Even if it is a communal graveyard, it is no different from an ordinary independent graveyard, and it is a graveyard where you can take responsibility for your precious ashes without losing dignity.
Those who have no children, heirs, or relatives, those who want to have a memorial service but have difficulty in holding a grave due to expenses, those who have bones that they want to memorialize, but who have trouble with storage locations, those who have trouble with storage locations, graves in the countryside Those who are thinking about "graves", quiet graveyards, and couples who like the sea.
It is a joint permanent memorial tomb for such people.
Myorin-ji is responsible for the memorial service for many generations.
Eternal memorial tomb Tensei Mausoleum
Bone in an urn
250,000 per body
(Burning after the 13th anniversary)
In the case of simultaneous urn delivery of two or more urns, one urn
200,000
Burial (burial of bones only)
100,000 per body
* Tomb magazine Dharma name engraving fee: 20,000 per spirit position
* You do not have to be a Myorin-ji temple, but you can receive the Myorin-ji welfare service in the same way as the Myorin-ji temple. Assistance, discounts for using Tensei Kaikan, etc.)
* Past denominations do not matter.
* Similar to the Dan family, the annual memorial service can be held at the main hall according to the Nichiren sect.
* Bones cannot be moved after the burial.
Funeral of Myorinji Temple
The Buddhist name that expresses the deeds and personality of the deceased person is called the Dharma name (the law number in the Nichiren sect), and the temple gives it to that person.
Until now, the dharma names for the deceased Buddha have been decided to be 〇〇 Shinshi / Householder for men and Nobujo / Big Sister for women.
At Myorin-ji, the Buddha's "gender of the soul" is awarded instead of the "gender of the body".
Buddha wedding ceremony for LGBT people
The Buddhist wedding ceremony is based on the Buddhist teaching that once tied, it will be tied in the afterlife, and we pledge a bond in front of the Buddha until the afterlife.
In addition, it is a ceremony to thank the Buddha for the meeting of the two by reporting the marriage to their ancestors.
Dodge their vows in front of the principal image, exchange beads, and dodge sake cups.
In principle, the Buddhist costumes were pure white and haori hakama, and instead of rings, they were exchanged for beads.
However, the shape is changing with the passage of time.
At the Myorin-ji Buddhist altar ceremony, we are working to meet the needs of both people regarding costumes and ring exchange.
The mountain number of Myorin-ji is "Mt. Fukuju".
For more than 700 years, Fukujuyama Myorin-ji, which has the meaning of "a temple where fortune gathers," has been praying for the "fortune" of many people.
Fukujuyama Myorin-ji Temple, where "fortune" gathers, produces a wedding ceremony in front of Buddha with the two people's "coming fortune" as the first priority.