Stories of Cloth

Irene

A Buddhist funeral

In the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism, to which most Chinese Buddhists subscribe, the rituals surrounding death last for around forty-nine days. As a Buddhist I believe in samsara or reincarnation. The soul of the deceased enters an endless cycle of death and rebirth until finally achieving nirvana where it is freed to reach the ‘Pure Land’ or Western Paradise.

When someone is very ill and thought to be near death, a Buddhist monk or priest will be called to chant words with him. If a believer chants with faith the name of the celestial Buddha Amitabha, he will visit the believer at the moment of death and convey him to rebirth in the Pure Land.

After death the body is washed, wrapped in white cloth and covered with a colourful red or yellow shroud. It is illustrated with text and lotus flowers, representing protection and asking for the deceased to be taken directly to the Pure Land. Buddhist funerals are intended to help the deceased into a better rebirth. It is therefore the responsibility of the living to provide the things the dead will need to be comfortable in their next life. Life-size paper sculptures are burnt as offerings to the deceased, paper money, houses, cars and even servants are given to accompany them into the next life.

For a period of 49 days – the length of time it is said to take to be reborn into the next life – the venerable or lama, along with family, chant a sutra, first in the presence of the corpse and later before a picture of the deceased, to help him on his journey towards the next life. This also helps mourners to gradually come to terms with their loss and to meditate on their own transition from this life. Prayers, chanting and rituals offered by the monks help to smooth the passage of the deceased’s soul into heaven. After cremation the ashes are placed in gold boxes in the shrine room in the temple. Family visits the room regularly to remember their loved one.