Editing UG06OBG-T

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Uchiyama Gudō, ''Oboegaki''}}

“Memorandum” (''Oboegaki'' 覚書), written by [[Uchiyama Gudo|Uchiyama Gudō]] as resident priest of Rinsenji and addressed to the temple's three parish representatives, 1 February 1906. ([[UG06OB|Original Japanese here]].)

<hr>

'''Memorandum'''

'''1. Those who wish to have funerary rites performed as parishioners and believers of Rinsenji are requested to agree to fulfill their obligations as believers while alive.'''<ref>Gudō uses ''danshinto'' 檀信徒, combining ''danto'' 檀徒 (temple parishioners) and ''shinto'' 信徒 (religious believers). His distinction between customary affiliation with a temple and the obligations of a believer is central to the argument that follows. The pointed expression ''seizen'' 生前 (“while alive”) contrasts such obligations during life with reliance on the temple for funerary rites after death.</ref>

'''Reason'''

I am not unaware that, at first glance, it may seem strange to make such a proposal to those of you who have already agreed, as parishioners and believers of Rinsenji, to assume the obligation of maintaining the temple.

Fundamentally, what is most important for a religious believer is to hear what that religion teaches, to believe it, and thereby make it a guiding principle for how one lives. This is a rule common to every religion.

Accordingly, the Administrative Bureau of the Sōtō school has established the following regulations concerning this matter:

:'''Regulations for Propagation, Chapter Four'''<ref>Gudō here appeals to the Sōtō school's own ''Fukyō jōrei'' 布教条例 (Regulations for Propagation). His argument therefore does not reject institutional Sōtō authority outright; rather, he invokes its regulations to insist that the relationship between temple and parishioner should involve religious teaching and practice as well as financial support and ritual services.</ref>

:'''Article 31.''' Branch temples shall each hold an instructional assembly at least once every month and guide their parishioners and believers. However, when local circumstances make this unavoidable, there shall be no objection to holding twelve or more such assemblies over the course of a year.<ref>The regulation uses ''kyōen'' 教筵 for an assembly or occasion devoted to religious instruction, and ''kedō'' 化導 for guiding or instructing believers through the Buddhist teaching.</ref>

:'''Article 32.''' When attending at the request of a parishioner or believer for a funeral or other Buddhist service, an appropriate time shall be set aside and preaching must invariably be conducted.

This is entirely proper for a religion, and not only the resident priest of a temple but also those who are parishioners and believers ought to observe it as their duty.

Yet if, as in the past, you regard your sole obligation as contributing to the maintenance expenses of the temple, and consider it sufficient simply to have funerals and other Buddhist services performed, this not only gravely dishonors the Sōtō school but must also be called the height of foolishness for you yourselves. I earnestly hope that, having understood the reasons set out above, you will agree to fulfill your obligations as believers while still alive.

'''2. That the matter of the Rinsenji support contribution, decided at the general meeting of 1 February 1904, be reinstated.'''

'''3. That a cemetery reorganization committee be established to distinguish individually owned grave plots from ownerless grave plots.'''

'''Reason'''

As the number of households increases, it is only natural that the need for grave plots should increase along with them. This is therefore intended to forestall the difficulties that would result.

'''4. That, when a person maintains two households because of the establishment of a branch household or for some other reason, it be determined immediately whether the second household is to constitute a parish household.'''<ref>''Danka'' 檀家 refers to a household affiliated with and supporting a Buddhist temple under the parish system. Gudō's concern here is therefore not simply whether a second residence exists, but whether a newly established or additional household is to have the corresponding status and obligations of a Rinsenji parish household.</ref>

'''Reason'''

Because there has previously been no regulation concerning this matter, I recognize that a certain amount of confusion has arisen.

I respectfully request that, after discussing the foregoing provisions, you submit them to the general meeting.

1 February 1906<br>
Resident Priest of Rinsenji<br>
'''Uchiyama Gudō''' [seal]

Parish Representatives:<br>
Watanabe Kan'emon<br>
Hosokawa Sadakichi<br>
Suzuki Shōzō

== Notes ==
<references />

[[category:Uchiyama Gudo]]
[[category:Translations from Japanese]]