Hi Jundo,

Thanks for setting things straight on Keizan.

Lack of the need to regularly perform or rely upon these practices in the west is no doubt attributed to the fact that Zen is not as much of a part of the culture yet. In the future, should Zen be as widely practiced here as in Japan, I'm sure there will be more need/demand for such services. Making it an unavoidable change for our Zen groups as well.
Jundo wrote:
When I was back in the city (Ishinomaki) yesterday that suffered 10,000 dead (!!) in the recent Tsunami, I visited a Soto Zen temple there and met briefly the head priest. He had performed so many funeral for his parishioners who had died in the flooding.
I can't even begin to imagine how mentally and physically exhausting this must be!

Gassho,
John