In Japan, many local Buddhist temples are increasingly losing offerings and business with the emergence of online temple services. Now, Amazon Japan offers ritual services online at a cheaper rate compared to temples.

The South China Morning Post reports that ties between Buddhist temples and their communities have been fading in Japan as families are now able to go online to find a Buddhist monk to perform funerals and other rituals.

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Since Amazon Japan approved a service provider to offer "Obo-san bin" or "Mr. Monk Delivery" on its website, it has highlighted the controversial trend of commercializing religion. One major Buddhist organization has criticized this move.

Minrevi is just one of the dozens of emerging small business in Tokyo that provides such services with a basic plan costing 35,000 yen (or HK$2,266). The plan includes transportation and donation for the monk. There are other options available that are more expensive. Basically, the monk will go to the client to perform the ceremony.

Akisato Saito, director of the Japan Buddhist Association, has expressed disappointment with Amazon saying that this trend is not happening in other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, this unique service offering has been welcomed by many Japanese people. Buddhist rituals have become consumer-friendly, before the cost was often thought of as overpriced. Traditionally, Buddhist-style memorial services offered by temples could cost as much as 100,000 yen. Funerals could be more expensive and can cost over 1 million yen.

According to a Minrevi spokesman, Jumpei Masano, the service seems to be popular among those who are uneasy about the cost and are not avid temple-goers.

Given the growth of online monk services, some monks have recognized their failure to reach out more in the community and adapt to people's needs.

Hanyu Kakubo, the public relations secretary for the Japan Buddhist Association, said that criticisms are taken seriously and they are trying to consider the options they have to address the issue.

Surprisingly, around 100 monks have expressed willingness to join the trend, signing up for the delivery service. In the past five years, Minrevi's earnings have reportedly tripled.

It is still not known if the services will be available to China, which has one of the biggest populations of Buddhist in the world.

TagsAmazon Japan, online temple services, Buddhist temples, Obo-san bin, Mr. Monk Delivery, Tokyo, Japan Buddhist Association, Akisato Saito, Jumpei Masano, Hanyu Kakubo, Japan, Buddhists, Buddhism