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Buddhism in Japan is often referred to as “funeral Buddhism” due to the dominance of Buddhist temples in the funeral industry and the perception that the religion is overly focused on death. As Buddhism loses popularity in Japan, some suggest that burial Buddhism may be responsible. Attempts have been made to reform the practice of Buddhism in Japan to meet the spiritual needs of modern Japanese. However, changing perceptions about funeral Buddhism may take time, and some fear that traditional Japanese Buddhism may die out.
Buddhism in Japan is sometimes described as funeral Buddhism, both because of the monopoly on the funeral industry held by Buddhists in Japan and because some people perceive Japanese Buddhism as overly focused on death and dying. As Buddhism loses popularity in Japan, some commentators have suggested that burial Buddhism may be responsible, by not meeting the spiritual needs of modern Japanese. Some attempts have been made to reform the practice of the Buddhist faith in Japan in response to this.
Death and dying are extremely important in the Buddhist tradition, especially in Japan. People must follow a series of precisely prescribed rituals in the days leading up to the funeral and in the months and years after. Historically, Buddhist temples have dominated the burial business in Japan, due to the comprehensive array of services they offer; they care for the body, manage the rituals associated with the funeral, provide officiants, and guide families through the complex process of a traditional Japanese Buddhist funeral.
However, some critics have suggested that Buddhism in Japan is overly focused on funerals, failing to provide for the living. This has led to the slang term “funeral Buddhism” referring to the practice of Buddhism in Japan, emphasizing the emphasis on arranging proper funerals.
As Japanese culture has changed, religious values have also changed. Many Japanese youths have turned to funeral homes and lay providers, and as a result some Buddhist temples have closed, with many others struggling to survive. Surviving off the trade provided by older traditional Japanese families may not be possible, leading some Buddhists to fear that traditional Japanese Buddhism could die out, or at the very least shrink dramatically.
Changing perceptions about funeral Buddhism can take time, and not everyone is convinced that this is possible. It would require a shift in thinking for many Buddhist temples, with attempts to engage more actively with the community, emphasizing the fact that Buddhism isn’t just for funerals. Japan, like other societies, is also becoming increasingly secular and society may be reaching a tipping point beyond which there is no going back.
The focus on the process of death and dying involved in Japanese Buddhism is backed by centuries of tradition. Perhaps unsurprisingly, people refer to the Japanese practice of Buddhism as Funeral Buddhism due to the focus on funerals and ceremonies for the dead, but by the same token it would be a shame these traditions were lost forever.
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