Hōji

"Hōji" is a word we generally use to refer to periodic Buddhist memorial services that are performed on set dates for people who have passed away. We hold these services on the 49th day, the 100th day, the first anniversary, the third anniversary, and so on, following a person's death. "Hōji" is written with Chinese characters that mean "Dharma affair", a word that originally meant "Buddhadharma." A con-tinuous chain of life from long, long ago has made our present life possible. A memorial service is an important opportunity to look back on your own everyday life in front of your departed ancestors.

49th Day

In India, the birthplace of Buddhism, memorial services were held every seven days after a person's death for seven weeks. The counting system in ancient India was based on the number seven which explains why these services were held every seven days. The ceremonies conducted during this interval of 49 days were thought of as helping the departed person cross over to the world of peace and quiet. The 49th day was known as the "Great-training-bereavement." This idea of "training" was also understood as being "convinced, satisfied, or enlightened." Holding this service is an important practice through which we come to accept a person's death by reflecting on the impermanence of life.

The 100th Day

The memorial service held 100 days following a death is also known in Japanese as "Sokkoku-ki." The origin of this ceremony goes back to ancient China where the bereaved family consoled the spirit of the deceased person. The 100th day marked the time from which the family vowed to stop mourning. The notion behind this was to release the departed spirit from the pain of seeing family and friends continue to grieve the death and allow those who were living to move forward with their lives.

First Anniversary and Third Anniversary

The first anniversary following death is called "Shōjō-ki" and the third anniversary following death is called "Daijō-ki." "Jō" means auspicious or good. In ancient China, these ceremonies were thought of as auspicious festivals because the period of mourning had come to an end. It is said that there are two reasons in the Buddhist faith why these ceremonies were considered to be auspicious. The first is that through the support and encouragement of the bereaved family during the first and second year after the death, the departed person has already gone to the world of peace and quiet. The second is that the bereaved family and friends have been able to pass this time without mishap, so they come together to hold these memorial services to honor those who have passed away. (Please refer to the " Kuyō " pamphlet for information about the other periodic memorial services.)

Arranging a Memorial Service

If you wish to hold a memorial service, please pick several dates that are suitable for you and your family and then contact the temple. Most memorial services are held at the temple, although it is also possible to hold them at your home or at the grave or inurnment site. If you plan to invite other relatives and friends, then it is best to plan as far in advance as possible. Please consult with the temple priests regarding the preparations and procedures for a memorial service. Following the service, it is common, as one part of the offering, to recall the life of the departed person at a meal taken together or while drinking tea. There are also regular monthly ceremonies called "Shōtsuki Hōyō" in which general memorial services are performed for those who have family members who have passed away in that month.
These services vary from temple to temple so please don't hesitate to ask the priests about them.