What's going on here?

I've made a commitment: to do one good deed per day. Large or small, it doesn't matter. Self-sacrificing or not, extraordinary or mundane, it doesn't matter. Just one thing every day, that's all.

The more I do good, the better I feel about myself. Truly, to benefit others is to benefit yourself. I hope this journal may inspire others who also yearn to do good. So join me on this journey, if you will, and think about the difference you can make in your own life.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Another funeral

A friend's father died of muscular dystrophy, at age 67. Tonight was the ceremony called Otsuya (お通夜, "vigil"). Friends and relatives gather in the evening for a service involving Buddhist chanting, the offering of incense by all attendants, and a eulogy. Last, attendants file out past the closest family members, who are usually in tears.

The decor of an Otsuya is breathtaking. While everyone dresses in black, the altar display is awash with color. A photograph of the deceased rests within an ocean of flowers. Examples can be seen here and here.

This was my fourth funeral in five years in Japan. That's too many. Too many.

ONE GOOD DEED: Express my condolences to my friend by attending her father's funeral, and bringing the traditional monetary gift.
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1 comment:

  1. PinayVAFebruary 7, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    Kudos to you for doing one good deed per day. You definitely help make this world a better place.TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, ONE GOOD DEED AT A TIME! Share it so you can inspire more people to do the same. Post it here:http://www.aglobaltribe.com/good-deeds/

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