Amazon 'rent-a-monk' service criticised by Japan Buddhist Federation

The Japanese Buddhist Federation is to formally request that Amazon stops selling the services of Buddhist monks

Buddhists at Tokyo's Chokoku-ji temple on June 21, 2015 (Getty)

A service offering monks for hire on Amazon has been criticised by Buddhists who say it “commodifies a religious act as a service”.

The Japanese Buddhist Federation is to formally request that Amazon stops selling the services of Buddhist monks for memorial services and other ceremonies, according to The Asahi Shimbun, Japan's daily newspaper.

A statement from the Federation, released on Christmas Eve, said that the service raises questions about Amazon's attitude towards religion. Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Memorial services are held at specific anniversaries of a person's death, according to Buddhist practices followed by many in Japan. Monks lead chanting at the ceremonies, but the Federation has opposed the sale of such services for a fixed fee.

One such service advertised by MinRebi Ltd offers graded prices depending on whether the memorial is performed in one place, among other factors. A basic package is offered for ¥35,000 ($290).

MinRebi said that the service “ships” in three to five weeks.

“In Christian or Muslim countries, there are no examples of commercialising a religious act,” Akisato Saito, JBF chairman, told the Asahi. “We cannot help but feel doubt and disappointment toward Amazon’s attitude to a religion since it is commercialising a religious act,” he said.