法事(ほうじ)

ほうじ
noun
Buddhist memorial service
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 TERMS:

  • 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
general
Added 2026.1.16 18:32 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
05500/05634_houji