Today, most people tend to think that Buddhism has only rituals, such as memorial services, weddings, and funerals. But Buddhism is not a religion that consists only of rituals. The real purpose of attending any Buddhist service is to "hear the Teachings of Amida Buddha" and to become aware of what is true and real.

Shakyamuni Buddha saw the reality of our human life through his enlightened eyes and recognized that life is full of suffering. We human have four basic types of sufferings - being born, aging, becoming ill, and dying. We feel the most terror in our life when experiencing death. Death, however, will come to everyone. Of course, death will surely also come to me. All of us one day will definitely die. We do not know whether it will be today or tomorrow. This is the truth and reality of our human lives. Most of you have attended funeral services at least once. I think that attending a funeral service has a great significance for us. Attending a funeral service makes us think of our ultimate concern which is our own death.

The funeral services have their own important unique meaning. The death of a loved one is a most painful and traumatic experience in our lives. When a loved one passes away, there are deep sadness, pain, and loneliness, as well as a great sense of loss. We attend a funeral service not only to pay our final respects to the deceased, but also to express our gratitude for Amida Buddha’s Compassion that sustains us constantly in our daily life. Attending a funeral, therefore, is not only to par respect to the deceased.

In Kakunyo Shonin’s writing, our founder, Shinran Shonin said, "When I die, give my body to the fishes in the Kamo River." Shinran Shonin was not influenced by religious rituals or ceremonies such as funerals. I appreciate Shinran Shonin’s words as quoted means, ‘My body is important. But the most important thing for me is Shinjin (true entrusting mind on Amida Buddha) itself which comes to me from Amida Buddha.’ Our birth in Amida’s Pure Land and attainment of Buddhahood is settled through Shinjin which is awakening to the beneficence of Amida’s Great Compassionate Mind. Therefore, in this ultimate sense, whether a funeral is held or not is of no significance. Amida’s Primal Vow is the fulfilled promise to save all beings at anytime and in anyplace without any discrimination. This is why we come to show our gratitude to Amida Buddha for his great kindness by making a funeral an opportunity to reflect on the Teachings of the Buddha on what is true and real. It is important for us to have a proper understanding and appreciation of a Jodo Shinshu funeral service.

A funeral is also an occasion to hear the True Teachings of the Nembutsu. We chant a sutra at funeral. We always chant a sutra in the original Chinese, not in English because the Chinese character itself is meaningful. Most of us think that chanting a sutra is for the sake of the deceased person’s peaceful repose. But this is a misunderstanding. Chanting a sutra is also to express our gratitude to Amida Buddha as we ponder the meaning of life itself.

A funeral service is an occasion of paying one’s final respect to the deceased, as well as becoming aware of the truth about life and death. In our teachings, when a person of Shinjin is born in Amida’s Pure Land and attains Enlightenment, he or she becomes a Buddha equal to Amida Buddha. Every person of Shinjin will attain Enlightenment because of Amida Buddha’s power of Compassion. Therefore, we need to listen to the Teachings of Nembutsu when we are yet able and living in this world. Let us listen to the voiceless voice of the Buddha in our daily life.

"Whether you accept the Nembutsu, entrusting yourself to it, or reject it, that is your decision."

(Tannisho, Chapter II)

Namo-Amidabutsu