My Religious Experience:

Seigaki Offerings

In 1995, fifty years after the end of World War II, I decided to erect a monument for the 30,000 American and Japanese war victims on the South Pacific island of Tenian.

I made a request to the priest of my temple (in Nagoya, Japan), and four other priests to erect this memorial tomb. They subsequently traveled to Point Banzai on Tenian Island and conducted a Seigaki Offering Ceremony. Seigaki is a ceremony of making oblation to the hungry spirits. It is held for the repose of the souls of the dead.

At the time, a number of employees from the firm I own participated in the ceremony. While the sutra was being recited, a 52 year old man suddenly stood up. At first, I thought he was going to stand at attention and salute. However, he instead ran towards the erected altar and began shouting "Tanaka Unit, This is it! Charge the enemy's position! ....." He then turned the wooden memorial toba tablet upside down, held it in his hand just like a sword and promptly charged forward with all his might. Then, as he used his "wooden sword" to chop down some yard high trees and shrubbery, he cried out "I’ve been hit!" At that point, he collapsed.

We all looked on in utter amazement and shock. We ran over to where the man had fallen to see if he was alright. Fortunately, he had not been hurt.

With this episode as a background, we then realize fifty years later that there had been numerous unknown war heroes from both Japan and the United States. These spirits need to rest. So from now on, we are continuing to conduct the Seigaki Ceremony every year for all of those who died on Tenian Island.

At my temple, we all participate in making the Seigaki Offerings on an individual basis. I also make offerings for deceased ancestors. In that way, as we chant the sutra and recite the Odaimoku, even the people whom my ancestors may have caused trouble can receive the sutra and are consequently, themselves, able to attain enlightenment.

As a result of all of these efforts, I have been blessed with a very successful business and all of my employees are also able to lead very happy lives. I feel extremely grateful for this.

By N.O.

Bulletin Lotus #26