What is a Bodaiji Temple? A Complete Explanation: Meaning, History, Danka System, Advantages & Disadvantages, and How to Find One
What is a Bodaiji Temple? Basic Meaning and Pronunciation
A Bodaiji Temple is a temple where ancestral graves are located and where a family has traditionally revered and requested funeral and memorial services. “Bodai” originally means “enlightenment” in Buddhism, but in Japan, it has come to mean “peace in the afterlife” or “memorial services.”
A Bodaiji Temple is not merely a religious facility; it is a special place deeply connected to a family. It has been closely intertwined with the Japanese family system, serving as a place to enshrine ancestral tablets and perform important ceremonies such as annual memorial services and funerals.
Alternative Names for Bodaiji Temples
There are several ways to refer to a Bodaiji Temple. Each name has a subtle difference in nuance.
- Dannadera: A term used from the perspective of a temple parishioner; the most common alternative name.
- Bodaisho: A term meaning a place to mourn the deceased.
- Bodaiin: A term used synonymously with Bodaiji.
- Kogein: A term meaning a temple where incense and flowers are offered.
These terms have been used differently depending on the region and era, but currently, “Bodaiji” and “Dannadera” are the most widely used.
What is the difference between Bodaiji and Dannadera?
Bodaiji and Dannadera basically refer to the same temple, but from a different perspective.
Bodaiji emphasizes the religious and spiritual aspect of mourning the deceased’s ancestors. On the other hand, Dannadera emphasizes the relationship of financially supporting the temple as a parishioner.
In reality, the two terms are two sides of the same coin and are rarely clearly distinguished. However, they are sometimes used differently depending on the context; “bodaiji” (family temple) tends to be used when discussing religious rituals, while “dannaji” (patron temple) tends to be used when discussing financial support or temple management.
What is a Danka? Relationship with Bodaiji
A Danka is a family that designates a specific temple as their family temple, adheres to that temple’s sect, and provides financial support. Danka are important to family temples, and a mutually supportive relationship has been established.
Roles and Obligations of Danka
Danka have the following roles:
- Providing Offerings: Offering donations at funerals and memorial services.
- Paying Temple Membership Fees: Paying annual membership fees for the maintenance and management of the temple.
- Participating in Temple Events: Participating in events such as Obon and Higan.
- Maintaining the Temple: Making donations for the repair or renovation of the building.
Origins of the Temple Membership System
The temple membership system originates from the temple registration system of the Edo period. As part of its policy of prohibiting Christianity, the Edo shogunate mandated that everyone become a temple member of one or more temples. This led to temples taking on roles in household registration and identity verification, forming the foundation of the current temple membership system.
Historical Background of Family Temples
Family Temples Before the Edo Period
The concept of family temples dates back to the aristocratic society of the Heian period. Initially, it began with powerful and wealthy individuals building temples or becoming devoted to specific temples for their own posthumous memorial services. These were also called “ujidera” (clan temples) and functioned as places for mourning the passing of family members.
The Temple Registration System in the Edo Period
The spread of the family temple system to ordinary people was due to the temple registration system of the Edo period. This system, fully implemented around 1635, made it mandatory for everyone to become a parishioner of a temple.
Under the temple registration system, travel, marriage, and employment were impossible without a “temple registration certificate” issued by the temple. This also gave temples a role as administrative bodies, strengthening their ties with parishioners.
Changes After the Meiji Era
After the Meiji Restoration, the temple registration system was abolished, but the parishioner system remained as a custom. However, currently, there is no legal obligation, and whether or not to have a family temple is a free choice for each family.
Five Benefits of Having a Family Temple
1. Clear Information on Where to Request Funerals and Memorial Services
Having a family temple eliminates the need to wonder where to request funeral or memorial services. Even in the event of a sudden death, contacting the family temple ensures appropriate assistance. Due to the long-standing relationship, family circumstances and wishes are easily understood, allowing for smoother ceremonies.
2. Continuous Ancestor Worship
Family temples house ancestral tablets and records, and offer regular memorial services. Joint memorial services are held during Obon and Higan, providing an environment for continuous ancestor worship.
3. Access to Religious Consultation
Having a relationship with the head priest to consult during life’s milestones and difficulties is a great support. Receiving advice and emotional support from a Buddhist perspective is one of the important benefits of having a family temple.
4. Easier Grave Management
If your family grave is located within the grounds of your family temple or in an adjacent cemetery, the temple will handle the daily maintenance. Even if you live far away, you can have peace of mind knowing that someone is looking after your grave.
5. Connection to the Local Community
A family temple is often a central part of the local community. Temple events provide opportunities to interact with local people, maintaining social connections.
Four Disadvantages of Having a Family Temple
1. Financial Burden
Having a family temple incurs financial burdens such as regular membership fees, donations, and offerings during memorial services. Large donations may also be requested for temple rebuilding or repairs. Annual expenses of tens or hundreds of thousands of yen are not uncommon.
2. Sectarian Restrictions
You are required to adhere to the sect of your family temple, making it difficult to hold funerals or memorial services of other sects. Furthermore, if a funeral is held outside of your family temple, there are cases where the interment of the remains may be refused.
3. Obligation to Participate in Temple Events
Participation in temple events such as Obon, Higan, and New Year’s celebrations is expected. Even if participation is difficult due to work or family circumstances, you may still be required to fulfill your obligations as a temple parishioner.
4. Difficulties of Leaving a Temple
Leaving a temple (“ridan”) is not easy. You may be asked for a large sum of money as a disaffiliation fee, or it may lead to emotional trouble.
Can Funerals and Memorial Services Be Held Outside of a Temple?
In short, it is possible to hold funerals and memorial services outside of your temple. However, there are several points to note.
Points to Note When You Have a Temple
If you have a temple but hold a funeral at another temple or funeral home, the following problems may arise.
- Refusal of Interment: There is a possibility that interment in the family temple’s cemetery may be refused.
- Deterioration of Relationship: Trust with the family temple may be damaged.
- Issues with Buddhist Names: The family temple may not recognize a Buddhist name given at another temple.
Importance of Prior Consultation
If you are considering a funeral at a temple other than your family temple, it is crucial to consult with your family temple beforehand. Explaining your reasons and gaining their understanding will significantly reduce the likelihood of problems.
In the Case of Non-Religious or Family Funerals
Even if you desire a non-religious funeral or a simple family funeral, which are becoming increasingly common, consultation is necessary as long as you have a family temple. If the final burial plot is at your family temple, interment cannot be performed without the temple’s understanding.
Can I Change My Family Temple? Procedures for Leaving a Temple and Reburial
Changing your family temple is possible, but requires careful procedures.
Procedures for Leaving a Temple
- Consultation with Family and Relatives: Changing your family temple is an important decision that affects the entire family.
- Consultation with the Temple: Carefully explain the reasons for the change and seek their understanding.
- Confirmation of the Leaving Temple Fee: This varies depending on the temple, ranging from 100,000 yen to several million yen.
- Obtaining a Burial Certificate: This document is necessary if you are relocating a grave.
- Securing a New Recipient: Decide on a new temple or cemetery.
Procedures for Relocating a Grave
Relocating a grave requires administrative procedures.
- Obtaining a Reburial Permit Application Form: Obtain this from the municipality where the current cemetery is located.
- Obtaining a Burial Certificate: Obtain this from your current family temple.
- Obtaining an Acceptance Certificate: Obtain this from the administrator of the new cemetery.
- Issuance of a Reburial Permit: Apply to the municipality and obtain the permit.
- Transporting the Remains: Transport the remains with the permit.
Avoiding Problems When Leaving a Temple
To avoid problems when leaving a temple, please pay attention to the following points:
- Expressing Gratitude: Don’t forget to express your gratitude for the many years of memorial services.
- Clearly Explaining the Reason: Explain specifically, such as moving to a distant location or financial reasons.
- Paying an Appropriate Disaffiliation Fee: You are not required to comply with exorbitant demands, but consider paying within a reasonable range.
- Written Confirmation: Obtain written confirmation, not just verbal agreements.
What to Do If You Don’t Know Your Family Temple?
There are increasing cases where, after the death of parents, people don’t know which temple their family temple is.
How to Find Your Family Temple
- Confirm with Relatives: Start by asking relatives or older relatives.
- Check the Buddhist Altar and Memorial Tablets: The Buddhist altar may contain contact information for the temple or a family register.
- Confirm the Location of the Grave: The temple or cemetery where the grave is located is likely to be your family temple.
- Search for Past Funeral Records: The temple name may be listed on receipts or records from the funeral.
- Inquire with Local Temples: Try asking a temple near your family home.
- Check the Local Government’s Family Register: The temple name may be listed in old family registers.
What to Do If You Cannot Find Your Family Temple
If you absolutely cannot find your family temple, you have the following options.
- Choosing a New Family Temple: Choose a religious sect and establish a new relationship with the temple.
- Using Cemeteries Other Than Temple Cemeteries: Utilize private or public cemeteries.
- Consider Perpetual Memorial Services: Utilize a service where a temple provides perpetual memorial services.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a Family Temple
Currently, the number of families without a family temple is increasing. Even without a family temple, funerals and memorial services are still possible.
Where to Arrange a Funeral
- Consult a Funeral Home: Some funeral homes offer services to introduce monks.
- Monk Dispatch Service: The number of services that allow you to arrange a monk online is increasing.
- Directly Requesting a Temple: Some temples accept funeral requests even if they are not your family temple.
- Non-Religious Funeral: It is also possible to choose a funeral without religious ceremonies.
Options for Burial
The options for burial when you don’t have a family temple are diversifying.
- Private Cemeteries: An increasing number of cemeteries are available regardless of religious affiliation.
- Public Cemeteries: Cemeteries operated by local governments, relatively inexpensive.
- Columbariums: Indoor ossuary facilities, easy to manage.
- Tree Burial: A burial method that allows the remains to return to nature.
- Perpetual Memorial Graves: Temples provide perpetual memorial services.
- Scattering of Ashes: Another option is to scatter cremated remains in the sea or mountains.
Establishing a New Family Temple
It is possible to establish a new family temple even if you do not currently have one.
- Choosing a Sect: Choose a sect that aligns with your faith and beliefs.
- Finding a Temple: Find a temple that suits your region and circumstances.
- Meeting with the Head Priest: Confirm the temple’s policies and membership fees.
- Procedure for Becoming a Member: Complete the formal procedures to become a member of the temple.
The Significance and Changes of Family Temples in Modern Times
The Current State of Abandoning Family Temples
In recent years, the number of families without family temples has increased for the following reasons:
- Nuclear Families and Urbanization: An increase in people living away from their parents’ homes.
- Financial Burden: The burden of membership fees and donations is heavy.
- Changes in Religious Views: An increase in people who do not want to be bound by a specific religion.
- Diversification of Lifestyles: Choosing lifestyles that are not bound by traditional customs.
New Forms of Memorial Services
On the other hand, new forms of memorial services are emerging as alternatives to family temples.
- Perpetual Memorial Service: A memorial service that can be used even without becoming a temple parishioner.
- Online Memorial Service: A memorial service that can be attended from afar.
- Keeping Remains at Home: A method of keeping cremated remains at home.
- Joint Grave: A cemetery where multiple families are buried together.
How to Relate to Your Family Temple in the Future
The relationship with your family temple is no longer an obligation, but a choice. The important thing is to consider what is best for yourself and your family, and to make a choice you can be satisfied with.
The sense of spiritual security gained from having a family temple, and the value of cherishing the connection with one’s ancestors, remain very meaningful in modern times. On the other hand, avoiding financial burdens and restrictions, and choosing a more flexible form of memorial service is by no means wrong.
Summary: A Time to Reconsider Your Relationship with Your Family Temple
Family temples have a long history as a traditional form of memorial service in Japan. They have played an important role in many families as temples where ancestral graves are located and where funerals and memorial services can be entrusted.
Having a family temple offers advantages such as continuous memorial services and a source of advice, but it also comes with disadvantages such as financial burdens and sectarian restrictions. In modern times, having a family temple is no longer mandatory and is left to the discretion of each family.
If you are unsure of your family temple, begin by checking with relatives or examining the family altar and memorial tablets. Even without a family temple, you can still perform appropriate memorial services by using funeral homes or monk dispatch services.
What’s important is not being overly bound by formalities, but rather remembering the deceased and expressing gratitude to your ancestors. Regardless of whether you have a family temple or not, choosing the form of memorial service that is best suited to you and your family is what is needed in this day and age.
