Japanese Temple Buddhism during COVID-19

Based on the observation that some Buddhist temples were able to profit
from the covid-19 epidemic while others suffered catastrophic losses in
income, this article examines Buddhist responses to the novel coronavirus
across an economic divide. In introducing case studies, I outline a broad
spectrum of practices, soteriologies, and temple management styles. The
first part on divine protection focuses on Banshōji, a popular prayer temple
in downtown Nagoya. Banshōji experienced record sales in prayer ritu-
als during the pandemic. I then situate these findings within the broader
context of discourse on religion after the March 2011 disasters, which
leads me into questions regarding post-pandemic religious innovation and
Buddhism’s role as a social contributor in times of epidemics and crises.
The final part suggests that the priests most vulnerable to covid-19 related
disruptions, namely social distancing measures, are those who used to make
a living by participating in larger funerals at various temples and sites with-
out managing a temple or parish community of their own.