The sotoba (the Japanese pronunciation of stupa) is a narrow wooden slab set upright at or beside a grave in most Japanese Buddhist sects (Jodo Shinshu being the standard exception), inscribed with the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name and, typically, Sanskrit-derived characters (bonji) representing the five elements. Cut with notches along its upper edge, it is supplied by the temple that conducts the funeral and is periodically replaced or added to at memorial anniversaries.
Facts
Use
Who May Handle ItClergy or ordained officiants only 1 ConsecrationBlessed before use, without a rite of consecration 1 Identity
Category of Sacred ObjectA narrow wooden memorial marker inscribed with Buddhist text, placed at a grave. 1 Attributions
TraditionJapanese Buddhism, most sects 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
This source names Jodo Shinshu directly: "grave in most Japanese Buddhist sects (Jodo Shinshu being the standard exception), inscribed with the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name and, typically, Sanskrit-derived characters (bonji)..."
Belongs to Tradition
Related To
Sources
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.