Prayers Shared by Gods and Buddhas: Ancient Japanese Memorials. 'Goryosai' Perpetual Memorial Service Held at Osaka Memorial Park Kofun Grave

Osaka Memorial Park Sales Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Daito City, Osaka; Representative Director: Koichi Higuchi; hereinafter 'the Company') has held the spring 'Goryosai' perpetual memorial service at the 'Osaka Memorial Park Kofun Grave,' a keyhole-shaped tumulus tree burial site planned and sold in collaboration with Kofun Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Tsuneyasu Takeda). This event is a rare perpetual memorial service nationwide, based on the Japanese spirit of 'Shinbutsu-shugo' (syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism), where Shinto rituals and Buddhist memorial services are performed simultaneously. We report on the 'essence of prayer' we advocate and the details of this service. [Unique Syncretism Possible Only in a Tumulus Grave] Why can Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples work together at our tumulus grave? It is because the tumulus is an ancient Japanese burial style with inherent Shinto characteristics. This 'form,' which has continued since before the introduction of Buddhism, is the origin of Japanese prayer. It possesses the sanctity of Shinto while having the 'capacity' to accept the Buddhist spirit of compassion that overlapped in later eras. In general cemeteries, it is extremely rare for Shinto priests and Buddhist monks to perform together due to religious boundaries. However, only on the stage of a 'tumulus grave,' an ancient Japanese burial style, can Shinto 'rituals (appeasing the spirits)' and Buddhist 'memorial services (praying for the repose of the soul)' melt into one naturally without contradiction. This is the completed form of prayer unique to tumulus graves. [Perpetual Memorial Service 'Goryosai': Protecting Individual Dignity Forever] The 'Goryosai' is held twice a year (on the spring and autumn equinoxes). It is not merely a joint memorial service but a strict ritual that will continue perpetually. 1. Completion of Prayer through Both Shinto and Buddhist Forms: The service includes sutra chanting by the head priest of Daikozan Fudoin, followed by the recitation of Shinto prayers to appease the spirits. This solemn scene, where experts from both faiths offer prayers together, has earned deep trust from our contract holders as 'the most thoughtful memorial service possible.' 2. 'Shikinen-sai' (Memorial Years) where names are called for 100 years and beyond: Perpetual memorial at the tumulus grave does not end with the interment. At milestone years (1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 years after passing, and every 100 years thereafter), the real names of each individual are carefully read aloud. This ritual will continue for generations to come. Protecting the dignity of the 'individual' perpetually ensures peace of mind in an era where people do not want to burden the next generation. [Redefining the Cemetery as a Place of Peace and Bonds] We redefine the grave not as a 'place for the dead' but as a 'place to nurture bonds from life.' We foster a culture that values the connection of those resting in the same place. We respond to modern challenges such as 'no successors' and 'no desire to leave management fees' with a system that requires no management fees or succession. Osaka Memorial Park Sales Co., Ltd. transforms end-of-life planning from 'anxiety' to 'pride and peace of mind,' connecting the rich Japanese spirit of memorial to the next generation.