4. Death and Mourning

How is death regarded in Buddhism?

death is regarded as an occasion of major religious significance both for the deceased and the survivors

How does death work in Buddhism for the dead?

For the deceased, death marks the point of transition to a new form of existence within the cycle of samsara. When death occurs, all the karmic forces that the dead person accumulated during the course of their lifetime become activated and determine the next rebirth. As such, many rituals surrounding death focus on helping a person transition to a more positive rebirth or helping to guide them into their next life.

How does death work in Buddhism for the living?

• death is a powerful reminder of the Buddha's teachings. For example, death is an example of dukkha (suffering) and an inevitable part of life.

• Furthermore, it illustrates the Buddha’s teaching of anicca (impermanence) since it shows that life must inevitably come to an end.

What are the death rituals in Theravada Buddhism?

• the monastic sangha plays a prominent role in the funeral ceremony. Bhikkhus (monks) assemble in the home of the deceased or in the cemetery and chant a well-known verse called the Anicca Vata Sankhara:

• Impermanent alas are formations, subject to rise and fall. Having arisen, they cease; their subsiding is bliss. (reminds us of annica)

• Following this ritual, it is typical for the family of the deceased to make offerings to the bhikkhus. In some countries, it is typical to give a length of new white cloth to the monks, which is intended to be cut into pieces and then stitched into a robe. Making offerings to monks is an example of dana (generosity). After offering it, the close relatives of the deceased sit together and pour water from a vessel into a cup until the cup overflows.

What is chanted at the funeral by monks in Theravada Buddhism?

• The following verses from the Tirokuddha Sutta: Just as the water fallen on high ground flows to a lower level, Even so what is given from here accrues to the departed.”

This passage symbolises that the merit accrued by the relatives of the deceased through their offerings is being transferred to the deceased. This is intended to help them secure a more favourable rebirth. In this Sutta, the Buddha also teaches that mourning does not benefit the deceased. Although death is an example of dukkha, t is important that relatives do not dwell on their unhappiness. Instead, they should engage in rituals that will have benefit for the deceased in their rebirth, such as making offerings on their behalf. ( “For no weeping, no sorrowing, no other lamentation benefits the dead whose relatives persist in that way. But when this offering is given, well-placed in the Sangha, it works for their long-term benefit and they profit immediately.” - Tirokuddha Sutta)

Why do Theravada Buddhists cremate?

It follows the example of the Buddha, who instructed his followers to cremate him

What happens after the funeral in Theravada ?

• after the funeral, bhikkhus may revisit the home of the deceased to perform rituals that help to transfer merit to them.

• For example, they often perform a ritual called preaching for the benefit of the dead. In this practice, it is typical for a bhikkhu to go to the house of the dead person, usually on the third day after the funeral to preach a sermon. Following this, a gift is offered to the monks, and guests are served with refreshments.

• Three months from the date of death, it is customary to hold an almsgiving in memory of the deceased and then to repeat it annually. Here too the purpose is to impart merit to the deceased.

Why are there merit transferral rituals in Theravada Buddhism?

• The basis of these practices is the belief that if the dead relative has been reborn in an unhappy existence (e.g. as a hungry ghost), their living relatives can transfer merit to them as they would be incapable of performing any meritorious deed on their own. This custom can be traced to the Buddha's own time.

• In the Tirokuddha Sutta, the Buddha describes how King Bimbisara was harassed by departed family members who had been reborn as hungry ghosts because the King had failed to give alms and transfer the merit to them. Once the king did this, the hungry ghosts became happy and ceased to trouble him.

What does the kaimyo represent in Japanese Mahayana Buddhism?

• it is believed that the dead will look back if they hear their name being called slowing the spirit on its journey to rebirth or the Pure Land. As such the dead is given a new name to use in the afterlife. Kaimyo means ‘precept name’ and the length of the name traditional reflects how well the deceased followed the five precepts in their life.

• This is a reminder of the importance of following the five precepts for Buddhists. However, more commonly, the length of the name represents the size of a donation given by relatives to the local temple. Changing the name also cuts ties to its old ego and helps it move away from the world.

What are the cremation rites in Japanese Mahayana Buddhism?

• the body is cremated, while the fire burns, the close relatives turn to the funeral feast.

• After this has finished, the relatives return and pick bones out of the ashes using large chopsticks. It is common to pass the bones to each other using these chopsticks and then place them in an urn which is then buried. (This is the only time in Japan when it is proper for two people to hold the same item at the same time with chopsticks.) It is typical to order the bones from feet up to head in the urn so that the body is not placed uncomfortably upside-down inside its final resting space. The most significant bone to be placed in the urn is a neck bone, nicknamed the throat Buddha because it is said to resemble a seated Buddha.

What are the memorial ceremonies in Japanese Mahayana Buddhism?

There are also a series of memorial ceremonies after death, which involve chanting sutras, saying prayer and burning incense, usually in the family home. These take place every seven days days after the death until the forty-ninth day, when the ashes are interred (buried) in a grave or tomb. According to Mahayana doctrine, the deceased spends 49 days in an intermediate state before being reborn or reaching the Pure Land. It is thought that the deceased can benefit from prayers and offerings of the living during this time. As such, it is common for mourners to chant the name of Amida Buddha to help ensure that the deceased reaches Amida’s Pure Land.

What is bardo in Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism?

• a 49 day period between death and rebirth, during this period the form that a persons rebirth will take is influenced

• The Bardo Thadol (also known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead) describes what will happen to a person after death. It states that bardo is very confusing for the deceased and so studying the Bardo Thadol during life is important so that they can be prepared. In bardo there are bodhisattvas who can be called upon to help them, but only if the person has the correct understanding. Bardo also contains angry demons. When a person is confronted with such demons, a person who is prepared and prayed for can stay clam and resolute.

• During this period, prayers are performed by lamas (Tibetan spiritual leaders) to help guide them through this transition. Reading from the Bardo Thadol is believed to ease the consciousness of a recently deceased person through death and assist it into a favourable rebirth. It is believed that the consciousness of the deceased can still apprehend words and prayers spoken on its behalf, which can help it to navigate through its confusion and be reborn into a new existence that offers a greater chance of attaining enlightenment.

What are sky burials (jhator) in Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism?

• since the ground in Tibet is typically not suitable for burials, there is a common practice of sky burials

• In this ceremony, the body is washed, placed in the foetal position and wrapped in a white cloth. Lamas and monks will chant from the Bardo Thadol and offerings are made to them. The body is then taken to a field or hilltop where the cloth is removed. The head is tied to a post and the body is cut open and it is left to be eaten by vultures. Anything that is left is then crushed up to be eaten by crows.

• Sky burials are seen as a form of dana since the deceased and their surviving relatives are providing food to sustain living beings. In fact, the Tibetan word jhator translates as ‘giving alms to the birds’. This would help to gain positive karma for the deceased and help them attain a more positive rebirth. Sky burials also serves as an instructional teaching on the impermanence of life.