Religious Care by Zen Buddhist Monks: A Response to Criticism of "Funeral Buddhism"

Rev Yozo Taniyama; Carl B. Becker

doi:10.1080/15426432.2014.873649

Religious Care by Zen Buddhist Monks: A Response to Criticism of "Funeral Buddhism"

Rev Yozo Taniyama, Carl B. Becker

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study suggests that Buddhist priests' sutra chanting can heal troubled and bereaved people. Sutra chanting can include home visits with teatime chats, and memorial services to console the spirits of the departed. Japanese "Funeral Buddhism" has been criticized for its lack of social engagement, but home visits and memorial services may partly counter such criticisms. This study presents four cases collected through chain sampling of Zen monks using semistructured interviews in December 2012. Respondents were asked to reflect on helping laypeople along with their usual activities. Their temples are in suburban areas of cities affected by the 3.11 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	49-60
Number of pages	12
Journal	Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work
Volume	33
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2014.873649
Publication status	Published - 2014 Jan 1

Keywords

Buddhist care
bereavement
death and dying
grief
memorial services
religious care
social work

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Religious studies
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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