AI戒名について―戒名で何を授かるのか―　（ショート法話672）

This is a short Dharma talk by Chief Priest Mizuaki Okubo of Zenkoji Temple, a Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrinji sect temple in Horomukai, Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido. #Buddhism #JodoSect #SeizanSect #DharmaTalk #Sutras #Nembutsu #Hokkaido #Iwamizawa #Horomukai *Zenkoji Temple receives an annual maintenance fee of 10,000 yen and a donation of 5,000 yen or more for the Ten Nights Memorial Service from its parishioners. *At Zenkoji Temple, even if you leave your parish after becoming a parishioner, there is no "disaffiliation fee" required, as with many other temples. *Goshuin (temple stamps) are available at any time (reservations required). Recently, a news article on the internet featured a story about "AI-generated posthumous names." This refers to having AI, or artificial intelligence software, create posthumous names. Of course, I don't think they would simply have the AI ​​create the names and then adopt them as they are. This is merely a reference point to see what kind of posthumous Buddhist names people come up with outside the scope of my own thinking. What surprised me was that this article didn't cause a major uproar this time. In the past, articles like this would always elicit reactions such as, "Posthumous Buddhist names are expensive," "Monks are making a killing," and "There's no need for posthumous Buddhist names." However, this time, it didn't even trend on X (formerly Twitter). Ultimately, and this is obvious, "those who don't think posthumous Buddhist names are necessary don't receive them," and "those who value them receive them." AI can create long and impressive strings of kanji characters, like those of a feudal lord. However, in our sect, a posthumous Buddhist name is a "name as a Buddhist," bestowed with the "precepts" passed down through generations from Buddha. AI can create strings of characters that look like posthumous Buddhist names. However, without the element of "being bestowed with precepts," it doesn't become a "posthumous Buddhist name." And I find it strange why people who aren't Buddhists would want to receive a "kaimyo" (posthumous Buddhist name) in the Japanese Buddhist style. They don't need to specifically use "○○in ○○○○ Koji"; they can choose whatever they want, like "Saint ○○" or "Honored One" with their own name. That's their freedom, isn't it? Furthermore, I can't go around and force a kaimyo on someone who says they don't want one. And even now, many people receive kaimyo from many temples every year, including those at my temple. These people are certainly not being "deceived." Moreover, even now, there are definitely people who want to cherish their connection to Buddhism, including those who come to the main hall during O-higan and O-bon, those who come to listen to sermons, and those who watch sermons on YouTube. I bestow kaimyo upon those who are devoted to Buddha, the Buddha's teachings, and the group that believes in the Buddha's teachings. Those who were not given a posthumous Buddhist name during their lifetime are given one after death to honor their way of life and make it widely known to the world, as it signifies that "their way of life was that of a true Buddhist." Alternatively, if the bereaved family requests that the deceased be remembered as someone who lived a Buddhist life, a posthumous name is also given. As I've said many times, most temples do not charge a fee for a basic posthumous name. I, too, had a "master" who has passed away. In this modern age, where people tend to focus too much on themselves, I believe that shifting that focus to something other than oneself, to "Buddha," that is, "taking refuge," is very meaningful. A temple is like a school corporation; the principal of High School A cannot interfere with the management of High School B. That is because it concerns the autonomy and independence of the schools. If you have any concerns regarding the posthumous Buddhist name, since it is your temple, I would like you to discuss it with your temple's head priest and work towards making it a better temple for the benefit of other parishioners as well. At my temple, I strive to communicate with parishioners and work together with them to bestow posthumous Buddhist names. Through this, I hope to create an ideal "group of people who believe in Buddhism" together with those who gather at our temple. Twitter: https://twitter.com/hokkaidozenkoji?s=06 Zenkoji Temple Blog: http://blog.livedoor.jp/zenkojinamu/