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I've personally been through several Buddhist funerals for my grandparents, and can attest to this murky and opaque "business" practice of traditional Buddhist

I've personally been through several Buddhist funerals for my grandparents, and can attest to this murky and opaque "business" practice of traditional Buddhist temples. There are many additional "upkeep fees" that you're expected to donate to your family temple for years (at least 7 years after death iirc). As a westerner, I was quite befuddled. But it's really a SaaS model of you think about it. I really welcome the transparency this service will bring. Also, many people move to Tokyo from other regions and really don't have the "family temple" to turn to.

aaronbrethorst 10y ago
> But it's really a SaaS model of you think about it. Spirituality as a service?
- virgulino 10y ago
  Soul.
draugadrotten 10y ago
> you're expected to donate to your family temple for years Well, it's a matter of semantics. In several Western countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Norway, Sweden such 'donations' are extracted by force from the people by the tax man, and then the state funds the church to varying degrees. Same result, different force.