What do you mean, like "What happens when you die?"
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.Proverbs21:15 FimFiction account.You become reborn if you have remaining kamma that you haven't killed with the fourth type. Your soul splits into four bits, one of which contains your kamma and consciousness. Then you mix with other soul bits, get a new soul, and are reborn.
As for views on death. It is a sad affair and a truth of reality that we must learn to understand and accept. This doesn't mean to kill yourselves willy nilly or some such. It means to live a good life, but to know that you and what you love will die. That nothing is permanent and nothing you can do will make it so. So by accepting this you gain the strength to face death with a smile. This is how you beat death.
edited 1st Nov '11 4:59:20 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan ChahNow to link posts related to the rebirth system...
This post is about the realms you can be born in.
Some stuff about Nibbana/Nirvana.
As the kamma system ties into this...a link to the post about kamma again.
This explains the system a bit more in depth.
Also...things that all soul bits carry with them...memories, traits, likes, dislikes, and skills. So you end up getting a portion of your stuff from your soul! And from genetics. And stuff. IT'S LIKE GENETICS BUT WITH SOULS.
edited 1st Nov '11 5:06:58 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan ChahDharma Games (Dhamma Games)
is a very informative site with all kinds of infotaining games about Buddhism.
Specific rites are an area where my knowledge is weaker. I could go on all day about the philosophy but the rites...I don't know about what occurs before death sadly. After death Theravadans make offerings of cloth to the deceased. A monk will visit the family or they the monk after a few days and a sermon will be held about the deceased and the nature of death. Three weeks following death and every year after an almsgiving in honor of the deceased is made. So basically you just donate to the wat once every year on that date.
Mahayana there are numerous things. Japanese funerals are different from Chinese funerals and so on. There's a bit more variation with the Mahayana in general and it shows even with their funeral rites. Cremation tends to be the go to way of dealing with the corpse in most traditions though.
Mummification does exist in a few traditions but it is very uncommon. A few monks have been buried and preserved while sitting in a lotus position. These are called "corporeal Bodhisattas".
I'm still not sure what happens before the death though. I'll have to look into that, but it probably involves almsgiving and talks with monks. Along with blessings from said monks. Those are sorts of general things that we do for most big occasions though the exact specifics of what is done and said varies from situation to situation.
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan ChahThere are a few paritta, merit giving prayer type things, that could be chanted for the person prior to death, perhaps. Paritta again are a very common part of pretty much of all of our, that is Theravada Buddhism's, rites. General or specific statements about the nature of death would likely be made. Probably along with well wishes for their next life. Maybe statements about how they should face death like a lion. That is to say FEARLESSLY AND WITH DETERIMINATION TO KICK ASS.
As for burial pracitces...I'm not sure where one can find info on that in particular. This also varies depending on what country the person hails from. Japan's practices are different from Thailands though both tend to be Buddhist and both tend to involve cremation and burying of an urn.
edited 4th Nov '11 12:21:46 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan ChahDid some quick digging:
Something like last rites seems to appear in the Pure Land practice
.
I’ll try to sum it up from a quick skim.
One should set their worldly affairs in order and also prepare themselves spiritually.
It is advisable that a “spiritual advisor” is invited.
Family members should be supportive, and try to refrain from showing grief. They should instead practice “supportive recitation” to help keep the dying on the path to the Pure Land. This also include placing a statue of Amitabha Buddha where the dying can see it.
The rest is in regards to after death.
Tibetan Buddhists at least have a “Death and Impermanence” meditation
, it seems.
The idea is to practice it well before dying as it assists in detaching oneself from worldly affairs. I’d imagine it still might be the “meditation of choice” to use if one thought death was imminent.
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.Proverbs21:15 FimFiction account.Paritta are chants that basically amount to prayers meant to send you good blessings. Here's an example of one translated into English (most are presented in Pali):
By the power of all the Buddhas, Pacceka Buddhas and all Arahants, I secure my protection in every way.
May all my misfortunes be warded off, may all my ailments cease to be, may no calamities befall me, may I live long in peace.
May all blessings be upon me, may all deities protect me. By the power of all the Buddhas may safety ever be mine.
By the power of this Paritta may I be free from all dangers arising from maligh influences of the planets, demons, and spirits. May my misfortunes vanish.
By the power of the Buddha may all evil omens and untoward circumstances, the ominous cries of birds, the malign conjunctions of the stars, and evil dreams be rendered invalid.
Let those who are in misery be free from misery; let those who are in fear, agony, and insecurity be free from fear, agony, and insecurity; let those who are in sorrow be free from sorrow and let all living beings be free from misery, fear, and sorrow.
May the rains fall in due season; may the harvests be rich; may the world prosper; may the ruler be righteous.
EDIT for other things: And yeah. Avoiding showing grief is a general Buddhist thing from my knowledge. You are strong in times of sorrow and you are detached. You accept that this person has to die and you don't let it destroy you. It's a way of honoring the person. Showing them, others, and yourself that while you loved that person you were not so weak that you could not let go of them. You continue with this even after their death.
edited 4th Nov '11 12:40:52 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan ChahAh, I’ll continue discussing the Pure Land one at least, then:
When someone has just died, it is recommended to not move the body for at least eight hours, three minimum. This is because it is believed a sort of spiritual consciousness has not left the body yet (this actually seems in line with the Tibetan link I provided) Reciting the Buddha’s name for that eight hours without crying is also suggested [[hottup:*: I’m assuming “the Buddha” in this case is Amitabha, as that is the Buddha of the Pure Realm]] .
At least three hours of reciting is necessary, after that, the body should be left alone for the other five (assuming the reciting has stoped).
After eight hours, the body can be washed and changed.
Funeral arrangements should be simple, only vegetarian dishes should be served at the funeral. Serving meat can actually sadden the departed and result in some negative karma that results in them being reborn into a worse life.
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.Proverbs21:15 FimFiction account.The Nichiren Site- A site I reccomend.
I don't recognize it anymore because they changed the layout style since last time I went there. There's also a blog to go with it.
Descriptions of various sects of Buddhism
which was founded by Buddha
:
Other important articles: Lotus Sutra
, Nichiren Daishonin
, Gohonzon
, and Odaimoku
. Daily Practice
and Altar
too!
- Nichiren Shoshu
- Nichiren Shu
- Honmon Butsuryu Shu
- Kempon Hokke Shu
- Nichiren Buddhist Association of America
Contain very good articles like: Ten Worlds
, Vegetarianism (non mandatory)
, Fuju Fuse
, etc.
edited 4th Nov '11 1:37:02 PM by secretist
TU NE CEDE MALIS CLASS OF 1971Apparently the period of consciousness is considered much longer in the Tibetan tradition
. Four days to be exact. Though, I’m unsure this means the body need to stay in place for that long, probably not if I’m interpreting this correctly.
The link also mentions that The Buddha (the first, Shakyamuni) had an Indian funeral (cremation) so this is often standard.
Monks DO get involved when someone is dying, and chant them verses before they die. When they die, the monks continue to chant “in order to help the dead one’s good energies to be released from their fading personality.”
The monks also attend the funeral and “The family and all their friends give food and candles to the monks. Goodwill is created by these gifts and it is believed that the goodwill helps the lingering spirit of the dead person.”
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.Proverbs21:15 FimFiction account.Yes, VERY yes:
Much like the all vegetarian menu, disturbing the body might invoke negative feelings in the designed and net them a worse rebirth. As this is Pure Land Buddhism, I'm guessing the hope is that they end up in the Pure Land
. So, disturbing them in this way might make that an unlikely possibility.
That's an interesting point. There certainly are circumstances where chanting for three hours and not disturbing a body for another five is pretty much NOT a possibility.
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.Proverbs21:15 FimFiction account.Technically, this is something of a further complicated issue because where you go because of your karma is determined by Yama
.
Now if you WOULD have achieved enlightenment, or at least a state where you could go to the Pure Land, but because of the situation you didn't, Yama might show leniency. I'm guessing, traditionally, he couldn't just usher the person off to the Pure Land, and I'm quite certain there's no way he could grant enlightenment.
He may at least grant them passage into a better life than would normally be allowed due to their negative karma in their last moments. Though, intention is generally considered when this happens, so it's likely he would do that anyway.
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.Proverbs21:15 FimFiction account.

What about death? What's the house policy on that?