法事

• Reading: ほうじ
• Romaji: hoji
• Kanji breakdown: 法 (ho) — dharma, Buddhist law; 事 (ji) — affair, ceremony
• Pronunciation: /hoː.dʑi/

Meaning

Buddhist memorial service; religious ceremony. A Buddhist ritual held to pray for the repose of the deceased, typically on fixed anniversaries after death.

A compound of 法 (dharma, Buddhist teaching) and 事 (affair, ceremony). 法事 is a central feature of Japanese Buddhist practice, held on the 49th day after death (四十九日), then at one year (一周忌), three years (三回忌), seven years (七回忌), and at various other intervals up to 50 years or beyond. Family members gather, monks chant sutras, and food is offered to the deceased's spirit. Attendance at a relative's 法事 is considered a strong social obligation.

Examples

1. 祖母の三回忌の法事が週末に菩提寺で営まれるため、家族全員が地元に集まることになった。 As the third-year memorial service for grandmother is to be held at the family temple at the weekend, all family members are gathering at their hometown.
2. 法事の後には参列者が一堂に会して精進料理を囲み、故人の思い出を語り合う時間が設けられた。 After the memorial service, time was set aside for the attendees to gather together over a vegetarian meal and share memories of the deceased.
3. 遠方に住んでいるからといって法事を欠席することは、親族間での不義理につながりかねない。 Failing to attend a relative's memorial service simply because one lives far away can easily be seen as a breach of faith within the family.

Usage Guide

Context: Buddhism, funerary customs, family, religion, traditional culture

Tone: solemn, traditional

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese Buddhist compound: 法 (ho — dharma, Buddhist law) + 事 (ji — affair, matter). 法 in this context refers to the Buddhist dharma rather than secular law. The practice of holding memorial services on fixed anniversaries is grounded in Buddhist belief that the deceased passes through stages of the afterlife requiring continued prayers.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional-Modern

Generation: Middle-aged to Elderly

Social background: Universal