Pillow-side (Makuragyo), Funerals & Memorial Services
Pillow-side (Makuragyo) Services
The Japanese Buddhist custom of “Makuragyo” involves an end-of-life service aimed at expressing gratitude for the Buddha’s teachings and the Nembutsu, which guide individuals through life. Typically, the local temple’s minister is summoned to lead the service on behalf of those unable to chant sutras independently. While ideally performed before death, in practice, the service sometimes takes place after the individual has passed away. The minister assists the family in arranging the room for the service, using a Buddha image as the focal point.
In the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist tradition, Makuragyo is not conducted to ensure a favorable rebirth but serves as a therapeutic tool for grieving families. It offers stability and peace amidst emotional turmoil, providing a focal point for loved ones to receive support from the Dharma. The belief is that those who live in the Nembutsu immediately attain peace and bliss in the afterlife. The Makuragyo marks the beginning of a new relationship with the departed, symbolizing their realization of peace on the Other Shore.
For more details and or to make arrangements for this service, please contact the Temple Office by email at tbc@tbc.on.ca or by phone (416) 534-4302.
Funerals & Memorials Services
The loss of a family member or other loved one is one of the most emotional and difficult times in our lives. The Jodo Shinshu Ministers of our Temple and a committee of caring volunteers do their best to offer comfort to families.
They assist families with the planning and implementation of funeral arrangements in accordance with Jodo Shinshu Buddhist practices and customs. They will meet with a grieving family at a mutually convenient time and place to help them plan a funeral service, prepare the service program, perform the service in English and/or Japanese, all in cooperation with the funeral home retained by the family.
During this process, the presiding minister will choose and present a Homyo or Buddhist name which reflects the life of the deceased and accompanies him or her as he or she passes on to Buddhahood.
In starting to make funeral arrangement, families are cautioned not to set a date for a funeral service with the funeral home until the availability of a minister is confirmed for the desired date.
Services may be conducted at the funeral home, Temple or another location chosen by the family. If a service at the Temple is desired, the family should confirm that the Temple building will be available on the desired date.
After a funeral service, Buddhist families observe many memorial services, which may include weekly services up to the 49th day and the 100th day. While some observe these weekly memorial services, most commonly families will try to hold the seventh day and 49th day services. Thereafter, memorial services are often held on the first, second, seventh, 25th, 33rd and 50th anniversary of the date of passing.
In addition to these personal services, the Temple holds an annual Hatsubon and Obon service second Sunday in July to remember those who have passed away in the past year. Also, a monthly memorial service (shotsuki) is held on the first Sunday of each month to remember and honour those who have died in that month regardless of year. No arrangements need to be made for the Hatsubon or shotsuki service. The Temple will notify family members by mail and the families mark the dates on their calendars each year.
For more details and or to make arrangements for these services please contact the Temple Office by email at tbc@tbc.on.ca or by phone (416) 534-4302.
Weddings
In Shin Buddhism, a wedding is held in front of Amida Buddha so that the couple can express their commitment and aspiration to live with the Nembutsu. Ideally, the couple and the minister work together to design the service order, such as choosing the readings and chants, as well as including personal touches that help to personalize the special event.
Couples who do not identify as Shin Buddhist are also welcome to enlist the services of the minister to officiate their wedding; again, working with the minister to design a ceremony that reflects the values of the couple.
The wedding does not have to take place in the temple. With planning, the minister is able to conduct the service at the chosen venue of the wedding.
The officiating minister is a registered wedding officiant in the province of Ontario. Please contact the temple with ample time so that plans can be made with the minister.
Please contact the TBC office for details about honoraria and more information at tbc@tbc.on.ca.