Katrina Rosales
The SGI Incense Burning Memorial is a Buddhist memorial service held by members of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) community. It is a ceremony that involves burning incense and offering prayers for the deceased. During the memorial, participants line up and take a pinch of incense, which they then drop into burners. This act allows them to individually pray for the eternal life of the departed. The SGI Incense Burning Memorial is often conducted without the presence of a priest, following the wishes of the deceased or the family's preference. This practice reflects a movement to modernize funeral ceremonies and reduce the elaborate rituals and associated costs that have become common in traditional Japanese funeral practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Funeral or memorial services for the departed family members or friends |
| Participants | Soka Gakkai members, family, and friends |
| Priest | Not required |
| Incense | Used for spiritual and religious purposes |
| Chanting | Led by Al Soto |
| Prayer | For the eternal life of the deceased |
| Dress Code | Casual, with some attendees carrying prayer beads |
| Location | Soka Gakkai International (SGI) New Mexico Buddhist Center |
| Decorations | Photo board with pictures of the deceased, projected photo montage |
| Atmosphere | Refreshing, solemn, and heartfelt |
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What You'll Learn
- SGI members often opt for informal memorial services without a priest
- The deceased's last will or family's wishes may influence the format of the memorial
- Incense burning is a spiritual practice in many cultures
- Incense can be burned directly or indirectly
- SGI members recite the sutra and pray for the deceased
SGI members often opt for informal memorial services without a priest
Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a Buddhist organisation with members all over the world. In recent years, many Soka Gakkai members have been conducting funeral and memorial services for their departed family members or friends without the attendance of a priest to officiate the services. This is often done in accordance with the last will of the deceased or due to the expressed wishes of the family.
The involvement of Buddhist priests in funeral or memorial services was not established during the Daishonin's time. It was only later, during the Edo Period (1601-1865), that the policies of the Tokugawa shogunate mandated universal registration at Buddhist temples, institutionalising the practice of priests conducting funerals and memorial services. This became the major social function and source of income of Buddhist temples, leading to the Buddhism of the established sects in Japan becoming known as 'funeral Buddhism'.
In recent times, the amount of money expected by Nichiren Shoshu priests for presiding over funeral and memorial services has become excessive, with donations often reaching thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, episodes of insincerity or contempt toward believers have led many Soka Gakkai members to opt for informal services conducted by fellow members.
SGI President Ikeda, then Soka Gakkai president, acknowledged the desire for a reformation of the traditional Japanese funeral ceremony in a 1968 statement, noting that people no longer saw the purpose of elaborate funeral ceremonies or wanted to burden their families with them.
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The deceased's last will or family's wishes may influence the format of the memorial
The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a Buddhist organisation that has been conducting funeral and memorial services for its members' deceased family members or friends without the attendance of a priest. This is often done in accordance with the last will of the deceased or the expressed desire of the family. The memorial service is a more informal gathering than a funeral, where guests can exchange stories and other personal tributes to celebrate the life of the deceased.
The deceased's last will or family's wishes may greatly influence the format of the memorial service. The family may choose to hold a memorial service without the remains present, usually occurring within a week of the loved one's death. This can be structured according to the family's preferences and may be held in a house of worship or elsewhere. The memorial service is an event to honour a person's life, where family and friends gather to speak about the one who has passed and the life they lived.
If the deceased's last will or family's wishes are unknown, the family may find themselves in a difficult position. In such cases, it is important to remember that all competent adult children of the deceased have an equal voice in making final decisions, such as burial or cremation. The family can also seek support from loved ones, professionals, and resources in their community to guide them through this process.
The memorial service can be personalised to celebrate the unique aspects of the deceased's life, such as their culture, values, sense of humour, and interests. For example, a loved one can be honoured by naming a star after them or sending a portion of their ashes into space. A more nature-oriented tribute could involve planting a memorial tree or visiting a memorial park or garden, especially if the deceased loved nature.
Flowers and foliage plants are also a common way to memorialise the deceased, providing comfort and warmth to the family. They serve as a living memorial and can be sent to the funeral home or burial service with a sentiment card.
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Incense burning is a spiritual practice in many cultures
Incense burning is a spiritual practice with a rich history in many cultures and religions. It is believed to have originated in the Vedic period in India, with records showing its use by the Indus Valley Civilization for spiritual purposes as far back as 3300 BCE. Over time, the practice of burning incense spread to other regions, including China, Japan, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and South Asia, where it took on unique cultural and spiritual significance.
In ancient China, incense burning was used to measure the passage of time. During the Edo Period in Japan (1601-1865), incense became closely associated with funeral rites and memorial services, which were conducted by Buddhist priests. Today, Japanese incense appreciation includes art, culture, history, and ceremony, such as the tea ceremony and kōdō, the art of incense appreciation. Japanese Samurai warriors also used incense to perfume their bodies and helmets before battle, considering it a symbol of nobility and strength.
In South Asian traditions, incense burning is an integral part of worship and prayer. Indigenous Mexican cultures use copal resin incense in their sweat lodge ceremonies. In the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, incense burning was adopted through trade routes, with Babylonians using it for worship and Romans and Greeks for spiritual and recreational reasons. Jewish temples also incorporate incense into their ceremonies, and while Islam forbids idolatry and extravagant lifestyles, it encourages the burning of incense.
The practice of burning incense is also prevalent in Buddhist traditions. It is believed that Buddhist monks brought incense to Japan, where it became ubiquitous. Buddhism also encouraged the use of incense in Southeast Asia. Today, most practising Buddhists incorporate incense into their spiritual practices, whether through meditation, worship, or creating a pleasant aroma in their homes.
Burning incense is often associated with spiritual rituals and ceremonies, providing a means to connect with something greater than oneself. The scent of incense, along with the ritual of burning it, can create a sense of comfort and anchor individuals in their spiritual practices. The smoke produced by burning incense is believed to possess cleansing properties, and the aroma is thought to enhance meditation and bring individuals back to their senses and breath.
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Incense can be burned directly or indirectly
Incense burning is a common practice in many cultures and is often used in religious ceremonies and rituals. In Buddhism, for example, incense is burned as an offering to the Buddha and to symbolise the purification of one's mind and body.
There are two main ways to burn incense: directly and indirectly. Direct burning involves placing the incense stick or cone directly onto a heat source, such as a charcoal briquette or electric heater. This method produces a stronger scent and is often used in outdoor spaces or large rooms with good ventilation. When burning incense directly, it is important to use a heat-resistant holder or stand to prevent fires and burns. It is also crucial to ensure proper ventilation and to keep the incense away from flammable objects and surfaces, such as curtains, towels, and wooden furniture.
Indirect burning, on the other hand, involves placing the incense on a separate surface, such as a ceramic bowl or tealight incense stove, which is then heated from below. This method is often used for burning resins and oils and produces a more subtle scent. For example, one can burn resins indirectly by placing them on a foil cup or mica plate set over a tea candle or charcoal burner. Another method involves adding a few drops of essential oil or resin to a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and burning it in a tealight oil burner.
It is important to note that burning incense can release chemicals and smoke that may be harmful to one's health. Therefore, it is recommended to burn incense in a well-ventilated area and to avoid inhaling the smoke directly. Additionally, some individuals may experience allergies or sensitivity to incense smoke, so it is important to stop use and leave the room if any negative symptoms occur.
The SGI Incense Burning Memorial is a Buddhist memorial service held by the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) organisation. During the service, attendees may offer prayers and memories of the deceased while burning incense. For example, during the memorial service for Miguel Caro, a talented performer and well-loved member of the SGI community, attendees lined up to drop a pinch of incense into a burner, offering prayers for Miguel's eternal life. The SGI Incense Burning Memorial thus serves as a meaningful way to honour and remember the departed through the symbolic act of burning incense.
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SGI members recite the sutra and pray for the deceased
Soka Gakkai International (SGI) members often choose to hold funeral and memorial services for their departed family members or friends without the attendance of a priest. This decision may be made in accordance with the last will of the deceased or the wishes of the family. During these ceremonies, SGI members recite the Lotus Sutra and pray wholeheartedly for the deceased.
The practice of priests conducting funerals and memorial services became institutionalized in Japan during the Edo Period (1601-1865) due to policies mandating universal registration at Buddhist temples. Over time, the involvement of priests in funeral and memorial services and the expected donations have become excessive, leading to a movement within SGI to modernize the funeral ceremony and hold more informal services conducted by fellow members.
During an SGI memorial service for Miguel Caro, a talented performer and well-loved individual, attendees were invited to offer up a prayer for Miguel's eternal life by dropping a pinch of incense into one of the burners. This incense offering was followed by a period of silent personal prayers and a prayer for all the deceased. The service also included chanting, led by Al Soto, who spoke about the Buddhist perspective on life and death.
The Lotus Sutra, also known as the Mystic Law, is recited during funeral and memorial services for the deceased in Nichiren Buddhism, which is the school of Buddhism practiced by SGI members. According to Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, reciting the Lotus Sutra and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enables those who have passed away to attain Buddhahood directly. This practice is believed to be the best and truest offering that can be made for the deceased, as it extends beyond the three existences of past, present, and future.
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Frequently asked questions
The SGI, or Soka Gakkai International, holds Buddhist memorial services for its members. Incense burning is a common feature of Buddhist temples, where thick coiled incense is hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands. During the memorial service for Miguel Caro, attendees took a pinch of incense and dropped it into burners, offering a prayer for his eternal life.
The burning of incense has been common since ancient times, with vessels called censers used for burning incense or perfume in solid form. The earliest censers date back to the mid-fifth to late fourth centuries BCE during the Warring States period.
There are two main types of incense burning: direct and indirect. For direct-burning incense, the incense is placed directly on a heat source or hot metal plate. Indirect-burning incense, also called non-combustible incense, requires a separate heat source and is unsuitable for direct combustion.
SGI members have been conducting funeral and memorial services without the attendance of a priest due to the increasing elaborateness and required donations to priests, which can amount to thousands of dollars. This movement aims to reform the traditional Japanese funeral ceremony, which has become overly ritualistic and formal.
