Pre-Recorded Tape of Sutra Recitation Used at Funeral Conducted by Nichiren Shoshu Priest

The idea of conducting a funeral service using a pre-recorded tape for the recitation of the sutra - this practice has occurred frequently in the Zen school. Now such slanderous activity is taking place in Nichiren Shoshu. This occurred at a funeral was conducted by Shoen Sasaki, chief priest of the Nissei-ji temple, Asaka, Saitama, Japan, at a temple member's funeral and memorial service.

Priest Sasaki rented a temple of the Soto sect (Jyoboku-in Temple in Higashi Kurume, Tokyo) for a wake and funeral service for an 82-year-old Hokke-ko member. On the altar, Sasaki placed a picture of the deceased with colored flowers, instead of shikimi leaves. Also, no Gohonzon was enshrined in the altar. And lastly, Sasaki played a pre-recorded tape for the recitation of the sutra.

Following the ceremony at the Jyoboku-in Temple, Sasaki later conducted a seventh-day memorial service at his own temple, Nissei-ji. Again he played the pre-recorded tape for the sutra recitation. Then, after this strange sutra recitation, Sasaki left the ceremony without greeting the deceased's family members or the person who sponsored the ceremony - the deceased's son, who is not a member.

Priest Sasaki's strange actions are causing consternation among Hokkeko members and priests in Nichiren Shoshu.

(Excerpted and translated based on Feiku No.777, dated November 7th, 2006)