法 事(ほうじ)

ほうじ

noun

Buddhist memorial service

formal

1. Buddhist memorial service

A Buddhist ceremony held to pray for the souls of deceased family members, typically conducted on specific anniversaries of death.

来週(らいしゅう)、祖父(そふ)の法事(ほうじ)がある。

There's a memorial service for my grandfather next week.

法事(ほうじ)のために親戚(しんせき)が集(あつ)まった。

The relatives gathered for the Buddhist memorial service.

七回忌(ななかいき)の法事(ほうじ)を行(おこな)う。

We will hold a memorial service on the seventh anniversary of death.

Timing

法事(ほうじ) is held on specific anniversaries after a person's death:

初七日(しょなのか): 7th day
四十九日(しじゅうくにち): 49th day (important transition)
一周忌(いっしゅうき): 1st anniversary
三回忌(さんかいき): 2nd anniversary (3rd year by Japanese count)
七回忌(ななかいき), 十三回忌(じゅうさんかいき), etc.

Common collocations

法事(ほうじ)を行(おこな)う: to hold a memorial service
法事(ほうじ)に出席(しゅっせき)する: to attend a memorial service
法事(ほうじ)の準備(じゅんび): preparation for memorial service

Related words

法要(ほうよう): more formal term for Buddhist memorial service
葬式(そうしき): funeral
命日(めいにち): death anniversary

Related Words

Synonym: 法要(ほうよう) (memorial service (formal))

Related: 葬式(そうしき) (funeral)

Related: 命日(めいにち) (death anniversary)

Compare: 年忌(ねんき) (memorial anniversary)

Compare: 墓参(ぼさん) (visiting a grave)

Compare: 追悼式(ついとうしき) (memorial service)

general

Added 2026.1.16 18:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

05500/05634_houji