Database: Deeds of the Dead

The concept of heaven and hell was part of the Buddhist-Shinto belief system, popular in feudal Japan. It was believed that every 7th day after death, the deceased would be tested regarding their behavior while alive. The 7th test on the 49th day would determine whether the person would go to heaven or hell. Families of the deceased would organize Buddhist memorial services every 7th day to coincide with these supposed trials to increase the likelihood of an afterlife in heaven. It was thought that those who accumulated enough virtue through good deeds in their lifetime, such as reading sutras, or with the aid of memorial services, would be reborn in the Pure Land of Bliss beyond the west of this world ruled by the Buddha Amida Nyorai (Amitābha), who was one of the most deeply held Buddhas by the people of the Middle Ages.

Nevertheless, it was expected that those who committed serious sins during their lives should be punished in one of the various hells, determined by the sins committed, before being reborn into this world as animal or human. Jizo Bosatsu (Kṣitigarbha), another venerated Budda, was said to save people from hell's torments. Another popular belief was that Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya) would return to this world 5.67 billion years after the death of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama to save the faithful. Mount Kōya was one of three locations where Miroku would simultaneously appear to preach. Should that be the case, all those buried in the cemeteries of Mount Koya have already secured a place to listen to Miroku's sermon on that momentous day.