The Meanings of Death in the Life Stories of Elderly Jodo Shinshu Monks

Abstract

Although empirical studies using questionnaire-based methods have shown simple correlations between the meanings of death and the religiosity of elderly people, the qualitative aspects of these relationships, which include the ideas of fruitfulness and multiplicity with respect to these meanings, have not been sufficiently considered. This study sheds light on the ways of constructing such meanings by quoting the sacred narratives of Shin Buddhism and by analyzing themes and sources of meaning as narrated in the life stories of elderly Jodo Shinshu monks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 elderly Jodo Shinshu monks. It was found that themes were represented by three types of life story: the Doctrinal, I, and Dual stories. Moreover, five sources of meaning were found: educational relationships with religion throughout their lives, religious relationships with laymen and friends, experience of the death of persons close to them, experience of life-threatening illness and accidents, and the meaning of their own death. The results obtained from the interviews are discussed in the context of narrative structure and generativity.