How to build an Ihai memorial tablet?

[Rinmeies]

Hi! I hope this is the right place for this post.

My grandma died last year. I would like to build her a memorial tablet. Does anyone know where to find building plans?

Gassho,
Rinmei

(sat today)

[Kokuu]

Hi Rinmei

I am sorry for the loss of your grandmother.

I must admit this is the first I have heard of Ihai and will leave any explanations to Jundo.

However, I came across the following information which I found informative on the subject: https://www.japanese-wiki-corpus.org/culture/Ihai%20(mortuary%20tablet).html

When it comes to Zen funerals, they take the form of a posthumous ordination, hence giving the deceased a Buddhist name which it looks like then also goes on the memorial tablet.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Rinmeies]

Thank you. Yes, that was the next thing I came across as well.
I asked my local priest and teacher last year if I could make her one, and got a "go-ahead". But now, after further reading, I wonder if I might have stepped into a culturally complex place, so I would love some guidance from Jundo.

Gassho,
Rinmei

(sat today)

[Jundo]

Thank you. Yes, that was the next thing I came across as well.
I asked my local priest and teacher last year if I could make her one, and got a "go-ahead". But now, after further reading, I wonder if I might have stepped into a culturally complex place, so I would love some guidance from Jundo.

Gassho,
Rinmei

(sat today)

It is totally a matter of the heart. If the heart is filled with sincerity and love for your grandmother, than anything is a perfect "Ihai." If you are good with working wood, then you can carve something. Otherwise, just find some nice wood, stain it if you wish, write her name on it ... that is wonderful. It does not need to be in some "correct" Japanese or Chinese shape. It does not have to be fancy or "Orthodox." In fact, historically, they are more from the ancestral worship tradition in North Asia than anything particularly "Buddhist." We have a Japanese style "Ihai" in Tsukuba Zendo which is for "All the Generations of Buddhist Ancestors," but I have that kind because, well, I live in Japan and they are common. Here is ours ...

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TlzAppJq-3c/maxresdefault.jpg

But, as a matter of fact, even Japanese Buddhist goods suppliers are offering many creative and modern designs now, as you can see scrolling down here.

https://www.google.com/search?q=%E4%BD%8D%E7%89%8C++%E3%83%A2%E3%83%80%E3 %83%B3%E3%81%AA%E3%83%87%E3%82%B6%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B 3&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwipjaCzsKXyAhVGdXAKHXkeA_YQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=%E4%BD%8D%E7%89%8C++%E3%83%A2%E3%83%80%E3%83%B3 %E3%81%AA%E3%83%87%E3%82%B6%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoFCAAQgARQ0_AFWJT0BWDY9wVoAXAAeAC AAXCIAcUBkgEDMS4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=Z-ARYem9McbqwQP5vIywDw&bih=712&biw=1536

For example:

https://item-shopping.c.yimg.jp/i/n/butudanya_ih-0033-1_2

Just follow your heart, and make something meaningful to you.

Sorry to run long.

Gassho, Jundo

STLah

PS - I would not worry about a Buddhist name, nor give one to somebody who may not have requested one while alive. Names don't matter, only love and sincerity matter.

[Kokuu]

Thank you for that, Jundo. I did not know about the Treeleaf Ihai for ancestors.

Rinmei, something I thought of if you do decide to do this in wood as an alternative to carving is using a pyrography pen to burn the name into the wood.


Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Rinmeies]

Thank you, Jundo. Yes, she was Christian, so there will be no Buddhist name.

And thank you for the suggestion, Kokuu!

Gassho,
Rinmei

(sat today)