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撥遣供養・閉眼供養に関する新たなる提言

―― 信仰の自由と供養の本質を見つめ直し、誠実な宗教活動の確立を目指して

序論：供養とは何か？

供養とは、故人や先祖を偲び、その魂の安寧を願う心の営みである。しかし、それは 「形式的な儀式を行うことが目的」ではなく、「遺族や関係者が心から故人を偲び、安心して次の歩みを進めるための行為」 であるべきだ。

しかし近年、寺院や宗教法人が「撥遣供養」「閉眼供養」を、遺族の不安を煽る形で提案し、時には「供養をしないと故人が苦しむ」「この儀式をしなければならない」などと強要する事例が見受けられる。これは仏教の本来の教えと相容れない行為であり、信仰の自由を侵害するものである。

本提言では、撥遣供養・閉眼供養を取り巻く問題を整理し、より誠実な宗教活動の在り方を示す。

第1章：撥遣供養・閉眼供養の定義と起源

1. 撥遣供養（はっけんくよう）とは何か？

撥遣供養とは、故人の魂をこの世から送り出し、成仏を願う儀式である。しかし、お釈迦様の教えには「魂がとどまる」という概念はなく、撥遣供養は大乗仏教の後世の発展として生まれた儀式である。

✅ 供養の意義は「故人のため」ではなく「遺族の心を落ち着けるため」である。

✅ 供養を「しないと成仏できない」とする考え方は、お釈迦様の根本思想とは異なる。

2. 閉眼供養（へいげんくよう）とは何か？

閉眼供養とは、仏像・位牌・仏壇といった「仏の依り代」とされるものに宿る霊的存在を解放し、元の物質へと戻す儀式である。これもまた、お釈迦様の教えに直接の根拠はなく、後世に確立された習慣である。

✅ 「仏像や位牌に魂が宿る」と考えるかどうかは、各宗派の教義による。

✅ そのため、閉眼供養を「絶対に必要なもの」と強制することは適切ではない。

第2章：撥遣供養・閉眼供養を巡る問題点

1. 事前説明の欠如による不信感

多くの寺院は、葬儀・納骨の際に撥遣供養や閉眼供養について明確に説明せず、「墓じまい」や「仏壇処分」の際に突然持ち出すケース がある。

✅ 信者や遺族が知らないまま後から儀式を求められると、不信感が生じる。

✅ 事前説明をせずに「供養しないといけない」と後出しするのは、宗教的誠実さに欠ける。

2. 恐怖を煽る形での強要

「供養しないと成仏できない」「祟りがある」といった言葉を用いて供養を強要する行為は、宗教の名を借りた恐喝や詐欺行為に等しい。

✅ 供養は「遺族の心を落ち着けるためのもの」であり、脅しや強制の道具ではない。

✅ 「供養しないと不幸になる」といった説明は、仏教の根本精神と矛盾する。

3. 経済的な負担の問題

供養を行うことで寺院が収益を得ることは否定されるべきではないが、それが過度な金銭的負担を伴い、「商売」のようになっている場合、信者の信頼を損なう。

✅ 供養にかかる費用は透明化し、適正な金額設定を行うべきである。

✅ 「供養しないとダメ」と言う前に、選択肢として提供し、説明責任を果たすべきである。

第3章：撥遣供養・閉眼供養に関する新たなガイドライン

本提言では、撥遣供養・閉眼供養に関する新たな基準を提案する。

1. 事前説明の義務化

✅ 葬儀・納骨の際に、供養の意義や必要性を明確に説明し、文書に記録する。

✅ 「供養をしないといけない」という義務ではなく、「信仰の自由」の観点から選択肢として提示する。

2. 強要の禁止と倫理規範の確立

✅ 「供養しないと不幸になる」「成仏できない」といった恐怖を煽る表現を禁止する。

✅ 檀家や信者の意志を尊重し、供養の要否を自由に選択できる環境を整える。

3. 費用の透明化

✅ 供養にかかる費用は明確に提示し、過度な請求を行わない。

✅ 供養の実施有無によって信者・檀家の扱いを差別しないことを徹底する。

結論：仏教の原点に立ち返るべき時

供養とは、形式的な儀式を行うことが目的ではない。それは、故人を偲び、遺族が心の安寧を得るための手段である。

したがって、撥遣供養や閉眼供養を強制し、信者に不安を与えたり、経済的負担を押しつけたりすることは、本来の仏教の精神に反する。

本提言が、より誠実な宗教活動の指針となり、供養の本来の意義が見直される契機となることを願う。

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A New Proposal on Hakken Kuyo (Farewell Memorial) and Heigen Kuyo (Closing Memorial Service)

—— Reaffirming the Essence of Buddhist Memorial Services and Establishing Ethical Religious Practices

Introduction: What Is the True Purpose of Memorial Services?

Memorial services (kuyo) are meant to honor the deceased, express gratitude, and bring peace to the bereaved. However, the purpose of such rituals should not be merely to perform formal ceremonies but to provide emotional comfort and closure for those left behind.

In recent years, some Buddhist temples have introduced Hakken Kuyo (Farewell Memorial Service) and Heigen Kuyo (Closing Memorial Service) in a way that creates anxiety among believers, sometimes implying that not performing these rites could harm the deceased’s spirit or bring misfortune.

Similar concerns have arisen in Christian traditions, where certain rituals—such as indulgences in medieval Catholicism—were once used to claim that failing to perform a specific rite would affect the soul’s fate. This led to significant criticism and reforms within the Church.

This proposal aims to clarify the true meaning of Hakken Kuyo and Heigen Kuyo, address current ethical concerns, and establish a more transparent and respectful approach to memorial services.

Chapter 1: Defining Hakken Kuyo and Heigen Kuyo

1. What Is Hakken Kuyo (Farewell Memorial Service)?

Hakken Kuyo is a Buddhist ritual performed to send the spirit of the deceased from this world to the next and ensure their peaceful transition.

✅ However, in early Buddhist teachings, there is no doctrine that suggests a soul lingers without this ritual.

✅ The need for such services arose later in Mahayana Buddhism, as it developed distinct cultural practices across different regions.

Similarly, in Christianity, the idea of purgatory emerged later as a theological concept, despite not being explicitly stated in the Bible. Over time, churches used indulgences (a form of paid spiritual relief) to promise salvation—a practice that was later criticized and reformed.

2. What Is Heigen Kuyo (Closing Memorial Service)?

Heigen Kuyo is a ceremony to “release the spirit” from religious objects such as Buddhist statues, altars, and ancestral tablets, returning them to mere physical objects.

✅ Some Buddhist schools believe that these objects are sacred only when used in worship, but others do not attribute spiritual power to them.

✅ Thus, the necessity of Heigen Kuyo depends on religious interpretation and should not be imposed as a universal rule.

Similarly, in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, religious icons and statues are often treated with reverence, but when they are no longer in use, they are either respectfully buried or burned. However, there is no absolute rule that claims an object must undergo a specific spiritual “closure” ritual.

Chapter 2: Problems Surrounding Hakken Kuyo and Heigen Kuyo

1. Lack of Prior Explanation Creates Distrust

Many temples do not explain these rituals clearly at the time of funerals or burials. Instead, they bring up the necessity of Hakken Kuyo or Heigen Kuyo only when a family decides to remove a grave or dispose of religious items.

✅ Families feel blindsided when told later that they “must” perform a ritual they were never informed about.

✅ If a religious practice is truly necessary, it should be explained from the beginning, not introduced unexpectedly.

A similar issue occurred in medieval Christianity, where indulgences were sold as necessary for salvation, often surprising families when they were asked for payments they had never expected.

2. Fear-Based Persuasion and Coercion

Phrases such as “If you don’t perform this ritual, the soul will suffer” or “This is necessary to avoid misfortune” exploit people’s fears and create unnecessary anxiety.

✅ Religious practices should bring peace of mind, not fear.

✅ Fear-based persuasion has historically led to corruption in various religions, as seen in the medieval Church’s use of indulgences.

3. Financial Burden on Families

While it is natural for temples to accept donations for conducting rituals, some cases involve excessive fees or unexpected financial demands.

✅ The cost of memorial services should be clearly stated and not imposed suddenly.

✅ Religious institutions should maintain financial transparency to avoid the perception of profit-driven practices.

Similarly, in Christianity, Martin Luther’s protest against the sale of indulgences sparked the Protestant Reformation, demonstrating the dangers of religious services being misused for financial gain.

Chapter 3: Establishing New Ethical Guidelines for Memorial Services

To restore trust and ensure ethical religious practices, we propose the following new guidelines:

1. Obligation to Explain Services in Advance

✅ Temples must provide a written explanation of memorial services at the time of burial or religious object installation.

✅ Families should be able to make informed decisions, rather than being pressured later.

2. Prohibition of Fear-Based Coercion

✅ Statements like “You must do this, or bad things will happen” should be strictly avoided.

✅ Religious institutions should emphasize peace, respect, and personal choice in their guidance.

3. Transparency in Costs and Services

✅ All memorial service fees must be clearly listed and explained before any commitment is made.

✅ Families should not feel forced to pay for services they were never informed about.

Similar transparency reforms have occurred in Christian institutions, where churches are now required to disclose financial contributions and avoid misleading believers into unnecessary spending.

Conclusion: Returning to the True Spirit of Buddhism

The purpose of memorial services is to honor the deceased and bring comfort to the living. If religious institutions prioritize financial gain or use fear-based persuasion, they risk losing the trust of their followers.

Similar challenges have arisen throughout religious history, including in Christianity. The Protestant Reformation was, in part, a reaction against practices that exploited believers’ fears and financial contributions.

This proposal seeks to establish a new ethical foundation for memorial services, ensuring that they serve their intended purpose—bringing peace, not pressure. By implementing these guidelines, we can restore trust in Buddhist institutions and reaffirm the compassionate principles that lie at the heart of true Buddhist practice.

Final Thought

Buddhism, like all great spiritual traditions, should evolve to meet modern ethical expectations while staying true to its core teachings. Just as Christian institutions reformed indulgence practices to align with their faith’s original values, Buddhist temples must now take responsibility for ensuring that their memorial services remain transparent, voluntary, and grounded in compassion.