Western Buddhist Funerals by Shyla Bauer, January 2003
1. Introduction
2. Funeral Services and Ceremonies
3. Examples of Western Mahayana Buddhist Ceremonies
4. Examples of Practices to Use During the Ceremony
5. Further Contact Details and Books
7. Details of Ceremonies
Prepared by Shyla Bauer for: Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Lightly edited by Len Warren at request of FPMT, May 2005
8. Funeral Service Used at Hayagriva Buddhist Centre
1) Introduction
This western Mahayana Buddhist Funeral project began, because earlier in the year, my 24-year-old cousin died unexpectedly. My family and I have been practicing Dharma and have been involved with FPMT, for many years. We had never attended or could recall any formal knowledge regarding Buddhist funeral services. We noticed how little information there was with regards to conducting a western Mahayana Buddhist Funeral Service , hence the reasons for my research.
In May 2002 I attended teachings by His Holiness The Dalai Lama in Australia, where he continuously emphasized a great need for western Dharma practitioners to find ways and methods of incorporating the Dharma teachings into western culture, rather than just following the Tibetans. To paraphrase His Holiness teachings:
Just as I am Tibetan, I practice Tibetan Buddhism. You are Australian, if you want to practice Buddhism you need to make Australian Buddhism. Dharma Practitioners in the UK should make British Buddhism etc. Buddhism isn't just about being Tibetan; it's a way of life.
Personally, I believe one of the greatest teachings the Dharma offers to our western culture is the explanation of death and impermanence and the openness with which they discuss these subjects. In the west, death has almost become a taboo subject: people prefer not to think of the inevitable and in many (even most) cases people fear the 'unknown' of death. I believe, for these and many other reasons, Dharma has much to offer to our western culture and is another reason for the need of this project.
Traditionally Tibetan Buddhists do not have 'official' funerals. To them the body is seen as an old car that the driver has abandoned, or as an old house the owner has vacated.' So there are no rites for the disposal of a body. However, for a westerner, we have come to believe that a funeral is an essential part of the grieving process and much care is taken in the preparation, planning, as well as, conducting the ceremony. Therefore, the idea of incorporating the Dharma teachings into the western cultural practice of a funeral seems to be a wonderful opportunity to put His Holiness teachings into practice.
Most of the research for this project was conducted at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, as well as with some other FPMT members and teachers worldwide via email. Many issues arose from this topic that I would have loved to research.
Some of the interesting issues include: specific instructions on the death process; suggestions with regards to medical treatment; should you donate organs; when to move the body; should the body be embalmed; how and when to discuss this topic with family and friends; and cremation or burial.
Due to my time limit, I have decided to focus wholely on the actual ceremony. Some of these aforementioned issues can be found in books (I have noted the few that I know in section 5). We are also extremely fortunate to have many wonderful Lamas and teachers in the west who are able to answer more specific questions and provide more detailed and appropriate practices, pujas and prayers that will benefit ourselves, as well as the mind of the deceased.
It is my aim that this western Mahayana Buddhist funeral project will be of some benefit to others. I have designed this project so that it is very simple to use, with many examples that kind individuals have given me, or I have found in teachings. I have also included many of my own personal opinions. So I am apologizing in advance if I have offended anyone. If you have any further suggestions, comments etc, please feel free to contact me, via my email address below.
Yours in Peace, Happiness and Dharma
Shyla Bauer, January 2003
2) Funeral Services and Ceremonies
Funeral services have been performed in the west for centuries and are now commonly believed to be an essential part of the grieving process. They provide an opportunity (often the only one) for the family and friends of the deceased to express their emotions in an open and caring way.
Many people believe that funeral services provide a time for people to say goodbye to the deceased and offer their condolences and support to the close family and friends. It also helps to provide closure especially after a long and physically suffering illness. People like to see the deceased at peace.
Sadly, in the west, funeral services have been identified as a time of great sorrow and sadness and as a result many people dislike attending the funeral services. A Buddhist ceremony, I believe, will differ to a standard western funeral . As the Dharma teachings are based on Impermanence and Death, Buddhists generally try not to consider death as a negative thing rather focus on all the positives. Such as: the fact it happens to everyone; that it is the end of this persons suffering in this life; it provides us with the opportunity to do prayers and practices to assist the deceased on their path through the Bardo and to obtaining a Precious Human Rebirth; it provides us with the opportunity to contemplate all the wonderful teachings the deceased have given us as well to contemplate the loving kindness of all those who assisted the deceased (particularly if they suffered a long illness, eg- the hospital staff etc); and particularly it gives us a wonderful opportunity to contemplate our own death, therefore motivating us to utilize our life in a more beneficial way for others.
You should always be aware of your motivation for conducting a funeral service. A Buddhist Funeral Service isn t just Mantras, Prayers and Pujas, just as being a Buddhist isn't just about performing Mantras, Prayers and Pujas; these are very much cultural aspects. Therefore I believe it is about motivation and dedication. While discussing, organizing and actually participating in the ceremony, you should be aware of your motivation e.g. to help the deceased and family and friends during this difficult time. After you have finished helping with the service it is extremely important to dedicate all the merit (you have earned) to the deceased in obtaining a Precious Human Rebirth in their next life.
With Western countries now becoming more multicultural, it is expected that at most funeral ceremonies the audience's beliefs, understandings and cultures will differ greatly. It is very important to explain any prayers, mantras, meditations etc., that are used during the ceremony so as not to confuse or offend those attending. It should also be made perfectly clear that no one has to participate, it is all totally voluntary and that you don't mean to offend any other religions. (The last thing you want to do is create conflict!).
Prior to the ceremony it is good to discuss with the family and friends the major beliefs of those likely to attend and if, for example, there will be many Christians, you could use some Christian prayers to help people feel more comfortable. It is also important to understand that if it causes a big problem for family and/or friends of the deceased to have a Buddhist Service, then it is best to comply with their wishes. It is always best to not disturb the minds of the others, or create negative emotions and therefore, you should just do your personal practices for the deceased.
An issue that many people seemed interested in with regards to this project was the location of the ceremony. Essentially it can be performed anywhere. Some centres have the facilities and space to have a funeral, others unfortunately do not (it is best to ask at your individual centre.) Some people have noted that crematoria services have been rushed due to a time limit, they suggest trying to book a double slot but it is also a good idea to use another venue prior to the service so that there is plenty of time to speak. Essentially a western Mahayana Buddhist Funeral Ceremony can be performed anywhere- outside, inside, in a church (allowing for the pantheistic attitude of the priest), in a cemetery or in a Gompa. There is no traditional way. In ancient Tibet the Buddhist monks would advise the family to dispose of the body as simply as possible. However if the family wished for a ceremony that was their right too. Basically it is best to locate the service where it most appropriate for those attending.
Finally, I believe, western Mahayana Buddhist funeral services have much to offer the western world, especially with regards to changing the focus from grieving to rejoicing in all the positives that that person achieved in their lifetime and really celebrate the good qualities of the person who died.
3) Examples of Western Mahayana Buddhist Funerals
In this section I have included 5 examples of actual Western Mahayana Buddhist Funeral Services that FPMT Centres and individuals have kindly sent and allowed me to include in this project.
The funeral services can be used as they are presented or people may adapt to however the family/friends see fit. Some useful examples or suggestions for these adaptations can be found in section 4.
It is unlikely everyone attending the ceremony will be Buddhist. Some of the persons may not feel comfortable doing Buddhist prayers and practices. Therefore it is best to keep it simple and try to explain the services (either as you go, or in the individual handouts). This will help to make it a more meaningful experience for all.
You may choose to make your ceremony more appropriate for all those of different religious backgrounds by adding prayers and practices from other religions. For example while saying the Refuge Prayer you could suggest that people who have a Christian background may prefer to pray to Christ or the Virgin Mary.
APPENDIX 1: Tara Institute Service
(FPMT Centre, Melbourne, Australia)
APPENDIX 2: Suggestions for a Funeral
(Jamyang, FPMT Centre, London, UK)
APPENDIX 3: Chenrezig Institute Service
(FPMT Centre, Queensland, Australia)
APPENDIX 4: A Form of Buddhist Funeral
(By Valeri Bailey)
APPENDIX 5: Celebration of so & so's Life
(By Jampa- www.Buddhistconsulting.com)
4) Examples of Practices to Use During the Ceremony.
In this section I have included some examples of Prayers, Meditations, Offerings, Poems and Quotes that can be used during a service. These examples are taken from texts and teachings as well as from individual s personal wishes for their own or their family members services. I have only included the names of some of the Prayers and Mantras. If you would like to use them, please ask someone at your Dharma Centre how you can locate them and they will also be able to assist you with pronunciation, as well as an understanding of why they are used.
Many people informed me that they would like to have their coffin lid left open during the service (if possible and appropriate) and /or a viewing, so that people can say goodbye and also benefit from the direct experience of death and impermanence.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche suggests that if the body is to be cremated, the ashes can be purified with the skillful Vajrayana meditation called Jangwa, (this Puja is normally performed by highly qualified Lamas, but Centre Geshes can be asked to do it). The karma of the dead person is purified and the Buddha' s wisdom is invoked into their ashes and bones so that those substances become consecrated and become relics or holy objects. The ashes can then be used in one of the following highly beneficial ways:
(a) If sprinkled into the wind from a high mountain, then whichever beings are touched by the ashes are purified of their obscurations and negative karma.
(b) If thrown into the water, then any fish or other beings touched by the water are purified.
(c) Make into a Stupa or Statue, for example Medicine Buddha, Amitabha, Chenrezig etc, depending on what would have the strongest effect in liberating that person from the lower realms. Any of the 8 types of Stupas is OK, but the Guru Shakyamuni Buddha passing away Stupa (Kadampa Stupa) would be good. (Taken from FPMT Healing Meditation Course Kit at Jamyang.)
These are just a few examples. If you would like more specific Prayers/ Practices please ask the Centre Geshes and teachers for advice.
PRAYERS
- Refuge Prayer
- The Four Immeasurables
- Lama Chopa/ Guru Rinpoche Puja
- Lam Rim Prayer
- Mantras: Tara
- Shakaymuni Buddha
- Chenrezig (especially from Nyung Ney Practice)
- Pali Mantra- Sambbe Satta Hoki Honiu ( May all beings be happy, May all beings be well )
- Maitreya Prayers
- Amitabha Prayers
- Heart Sutra (make sure you clarify the meaning of 2 truths)
- Anything from Chapter 10 in Shantideva's A Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life .
- King of Prayers – (Lama Zopa Rinpoche has particularly recommended reciting this at funerals it is good for everyone to have a copy of this and read it together )
MEDITATIONS
- Loving Kindness particularly of the deceased, and also of all the beings involved in assisting the deceased (especially good for people who have suffered long illness )
- Impermanence
- Silence
- Dedicate all Prayers/Practices (etc) to wishing the consciousness well on its journey into the Bardo and beyond.
OFFERINGS
- Light Offerings May this light help to guide (deceased name) through the bardo and into their next Precious Human Rebirth
- Can collect money and donate it to a charity etc and dedicate the merit to the deceased obtaining a Precious Human Rebirth.
- Donate the flowers from the funeral. For example give them to a hospital and dedicate them to the deceased obtaining a Precious Human Rebirth.
- Each person can bless a flower/leaves and place it in a hole with a new tree planted on top (ie. Representing Rebirth)
POEMS & QUOTATIONS
- Lotus of Compassion Poem. Written by Sangharakshita (FWBO), can be located in the book: Conquering New World.
- Authors: Thich Nat Hahn or His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
5) Further Contact Details and Books
The best contact for Buddhist funeral is a Dharma Centre. Here you can discuss any questions or problems that arise with someone that has the knowledge about what you need. A good suggestion is for you to try to form some basic idea of what you and your family and/or friends want, then come to discuss it with someone at the centre.
The books suggested below are not specifically about western Mahayana Buddhist Funerals, however they do provide interesting reading regarding the dying and death process and common Tibetan Practices and beliefs. Most of these books should be able to be located at any Centres Library, if not, they are available at the Jamyang Buddhist Library in London.
BOOKS:
Shantideva: A Guide to a Bodhisattva's Way of Life. Stephen Batchelor
Ultimate Healing, Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Tibetan Book of the Living and Dying Sogyal Rinpoche
The Zen of Living and Dying Philip Kapleav (Shambala Publications)
Death, Intermediate State and Rebirth Lati Rinpoche and Jeffery Hopkins
Meeting at the Edge: Dialogues with the Grieving and the Dying, the Healing and the Healed Stephen Levine
Death and Dying: the Tibetan Tradition Glenn H Mullin
6) Thankyou and Dedication
I am extremely thankful to all my wonderful and kind teachers, whose kindness is impossible to repay. I also wish to express my gratitude to all those who assisted me with this project particularly those attending the 2002 Jamyang Summer Retreat who spent a lot of their time filling in questionnaires and answering questions; all the staff and volunteers at Jamyang and all those who have emailed or written to me with advice, questions, comments and suggestions. Finally to Angus, Faith, Dallas and to my beautiful family.
Through the merit created by preparing, reading, thinking about and using this project, may all teachers of the Dharma live long and healthy lives, may the Dharma spread throughout the infinite reaches of space, may all sentient beings quickly obtain enlightenment and especially all those being in the intermediate state may they all obtain a precious human rebirth.
APPENDIX 1 DETAILS OF CEREMONIES:
Tara Institute
PRAYERS
for
——————–
As we take refuge, we visualize in the space before us divine beings, who have completed the path to total freedom and happiness. Divine beings such as the Buddhas, who have shown us a way out of all suffering, and the great Bodhisattvas, who refuse nirvana and remain in cyclic existence until every suffering creature is free. We can also visualize the saints and sages of other spiritual traditions, who embody the universal qualities of wisdom, love and compassion towards all those of us who are still not free from unhappiness.
Refuge
Sang.gyä chö.dang tsog.kyi chog.nam.la
Jang.chub bar.du dag.ni kyab.su.chi
Dag.gi jin.sog gyi.päi sö.nam.kyi
Dro.la pän.chir sang.gyä drub.par shog x3
To the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly,
I go for refuge until I am enlightened.
By the merit of giving, and other perfections,
May I attain Buddhahood, to benefit all sentient beings. 3x
Having taken refuge, we visualise the divine beings emanating tremendous rays of light and pouring down all their compassion and blessing. Imagine this light streaming down onto —, purifying — totally and freeing — from any confusion and pain of — death, granting — profound, lasting peace. Imagine then, with all your heart and mind, that — dissolves into light and — consciousness, healed now and free of all suffering, soars up to merge indissolubly, and forever, with the wisdom mind of the buddhas.
A Requesting Prayer
O Arya Compassionate-Eyed One, who is the treasure of compassion, together with your retinue, please pay attention to me.
Please quickly free — and all mother and father sentient beings of the six realms from the ocean of cyclic existence. Please allow the profound and extensive peerless awakening mind to quickly grow in — mindstream.
Please quickly purify —'s delusions and actions accumulated since beginningless time with the waters of compassion and with your compassionate hand, lead — and all migrators to the blissful Pure Land of Sukhavati.
May Amitabha, Buddha of Limitless Light, and Chenrezig, Buddha of Compassion, act as —-'s spiritual friends in all lifetimes, show — the excellent unmistaken path and quickly place — in the state of Buddhahood. x 3
Mantra of Chenrezig, Buddha of Compassion
OM MANI PADME HUM (as many times as possible)
Rejoicing and Gratitude for — s life
The Prayer of St.Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, unity;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
Where there is darkness, light.
O Divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Dedication by His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms,
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power
And may people think of benefiting each other.
Dedication Prayers
Ge-wa di-yi nyur- d u dag
La-ma sang-gyä drub-gy ur-nä
Dro-wa chig-kyang ma-lü-pa
D e-yi sa-la go-pa-shog
Due to these merits
May I quickly become a Buddha
And lead each and every sentient being
To that enlightened state
J ang-ch ub sem-ch og rin-po-ch e
Ma-kye-pa nam kye-gyur-chig
Kye-pa nyam-pa me-pa-yang
G ong-nä g ong-d u p el-war shog
May the supreme mind of enlightenment
That has not arisen, arise and grow,
And may that which has arisen,
Not diminish but increase more and more.
APPENDIX 2:
Jamyang, FPMT Centre, London, UK
Suggestions for a Funeral
Someone introduces the service and includes the following:
(Name of the deceased) was a Buddhist
Belief in reincarnation the continuation of consciousness
Our prayers being for a good rebirth for the deceased.
Lord Buddha Said:
This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds
To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance.
A lifetime is like a flash of lightening in the sky,
Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.
What is born will die;
What has been gathered will be dispersed;
What has been accumulated will be exhausted;
What has been built up will collapse
And what has been high will be brought low.
Prayers of the virtuous beginning, middle and end
King of Prayers and Tibetan Prayers
Personal Friend to speak about the deceased
May I be a protector to those without protection
A leader for those who journey
And a boat, a bridge, a passage
For those desiring the further shore.
May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away.
May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For all sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed.
Just like space
And the great elements such as earth,
May I always support the life
Of all the boundless creatures.
And until they pass away from pain
May I also be the source of life
For all the realms of varied beings
That reach unto the ends of space.
APPENDIX 3:
Chenrezig Institute, QLD Australia.
Ceremony for a Funeral.
Blessed water is sprinkled on the coffin to help & & & & .. go pure to the next lifetime.
I travel the road of this life until the hour when I shall lie down and leave this body, yielding back my last breath into the air from which I have drawn breath daily in this life time and sinking into the elements of earth, water, fire and air. Our spiritual journey consists of beginnings and endings and lifetimes in between. This lifetime ends and another begins. We need to retain a wakeful watch towards death. We have to see it in a cosmic context. An awareness of death brings our minds to a sharp focus on our own mortality. We do not know the time of our death neither age, nor state of health nor wealth, nor status indicates its time. If we were immortal everything could be put off until tomorrow but it has been said that eternity is at our hearts pressing up on our time worn lives, warning us with intentions of an astonishing destiny.
In ways that may currently elude us completely, the life after death we are told will be an amazing journey.
We are here today to mourn……..death and to celebrate her life. She was ……… Our thoughts go out to ……… as they come to terms with this happening and we surround them with love and compassion.
Visualisation.
Visualise the enlightened beings in the space before you. They are the manifestation of omniscience, love and compassion and are of the nature of light, not solid or concrete.
Make a request to have complete control over desire and to always be able to rise to the aid of all beings. Ask that you may experience peace at this time of mourning. Having this feeling of peace we can then help……… in her present journey with love and compassion.
All living beings who have known ………., in this and previous lifetimes surround us. We are completely surrounded by beings as far as the eye can see and they all join in reciting the following prayers and offering protection to……… and supporting us at this time of separation.
Refuge and bodhicitta.
We take refuge until we are enlightened
In the Buddha, the Teachings and the Teachers
Through the merit we create by practicing giving and the other virtuous actions.
May we all attain a clear and knowing mind so that we can help all living beings.(x3)
The four immeasurable thoughts.
May all living beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May all living beings be free from suffering and the cause of suffering.
May all living beings never be separated from the happiness that knows no suffering.
May all beings abide in equanimity, free from attachment and anger, which hold some close and others distant.
May ………….. take a perfect human rebirth and have all that is needed for enlightenment to come quickly.
The seven limbs.
Reverently we prostrate with our bodies, speech and mind
And present clouds of every type of offering, actual and mentally transformed.
We declare all our negative actions accumulated since beginningless time
And rejoice in all actions of holy and ordinary beings that cause happiness.
May we be supported until we reach our spiritual goal
And may the teachings remain until we all reach perfect happiness..
We dedicate the merits created by us and others to the great enlightenment.
And to the happiness of………… wherever she may take rebirth..
Offering.
In our minds we offer the universe, all that is needed for all beings to be happy, so that we can eventually come to a state of pure happiness.
The prayer adapted from The Foundation of all Good Qualities.
By Lama Tsong Kapa.
The foundation of all good qualities is the kind and venerable teacher.
Correctly devoting to the teacher is the root of the path.
By clearly seeing this and applying great effort,
Please bless us to rely upon the teacher with great respect.
Understanding that the precious freedom of this rebirth is found only once,
Is greatly meaningful, and is difficult to find again,
Please bless us to generate the mind that unceasingly,
Day and night takes its essence.
This life is as impermanent as a water bubble;
Remember how quickly it decays and death comes.
After death just like a shadow follows the body,
The results of black and white actions follow.
Finding firm and definite conviction in this,
To abandon even the slightest negativities
Please bless us always to be careful
And to accomplish all virtuous deeds.
Seeking worldly pleasures is the door to all suffering:
They are uncertain and cannot be relied upon.
Recognising these shortcomings.
Please bless us to generate the strong wish for the bliss of liberation.
Led by this pure thought,
Mindfulness, alertness and great caution arise.
The root of the teaching is being happy, helping others, and not harming others
Please help us to live in this way.
Just as we have fallen into the sea of worldly existence,
So have all mother migratory brings.
Bless me to see this, train in supreme act of helping others,
And bear the responsibility of freeing migratory beings.
If we develop thought of helping others without practicing virtue,
We will not achieve enlightenment.
With my clear recognition of this,
Please bless us to help others whenever we are able with great energy.
By pacifying distractions to wrong objects
And correctly analysing the meaning of reality
Please bless us to generate within our mind stream
The unified path of a peaceful mind and wisdom.
Having become a suitable person by training the mind,
Please bless us to enter
The holy gateway of the fortunate ones:
The supreme vehicle.
At that time, the basis of accomplishing the two attainments
Is having led a life dedicated to the well being of others.
Having become firmly convinced of this,
Please bless us to be able to do this.
Then, having realized the importance of working in this way,
The essence of a good rebirth,
By practicing with great energy, never disturbing your own or others minds,
Please bless us to realize the blessing of the teachings.
Like that, may the teachers who show the path
And our spiritual friends who journey with us, have long lives.
Please bless us to pacify completely
All outer and inner hindrances.
In all our lives, never separated from spiritual teachers and teachings,
May we enjoy the magnificent teachings.
By completing the practice of what we have heard of the wisdom of the wise ones,
May we be reborn in a body, time, place and circumstance in which we can help the most beings.
Recall any special requests you want to make, success in your spiritual and worldly activities, the health and long life of your friends or yourself and especially the safety and happiness of …… as she journeys to a new life. With these needs in mind, see rays of light coming from the enlightened beings and surrounding all of us and particularly……. The light radiated continually reaching all living beings surrounding us. These rays purify any hindrances to spiritual growth and any obstacles to liberation and enlightenment.
Remember the problems of all people such as wars, feeling lonely, those full of anger, pride or jealousy. As the rays enter their bodies and minds their suffering and the cause of their suffering are completely extinguished. All beings are happy.
Think with deep conviction that your requests are accepted and answered. See you and all beings become one in love and peace and the body, speech and mind of each being is purified.
Continue to visualize in this way while I recite this short prayer three times.
May ……… be liberated and all harmful circumstances be subdued.
May she be protected from all situations that cause fear
And may her journey from this life to the next be without fear.
And may the enlightened beings be there to guide her. (x3)
I will now read the prayer to Amitabha, who is the aspect of the Buddha who guides beings between lives. It is helpful if this prayer is recited on the week day on which ……….. died. This is done for a period of seven weeks which is the maximum time between rebirths. Anyone wanting to do this to help …….. is welcome to a copy.
PRAYER TO AMITABHA.
Guru Buddha Amitabha,
You are like the sun dispelling all darkness,
And the panacea curing all illness and disease.
You are the perfect guide that leads all beings to blissful freedom
By the radiant red light which emanates from your heart.
At this moment the messenger of death has arrived.
Please come instantaneously from your pristine realm
And invite………. to come into your heart.
As the earth element sinks into water, and the mirage-like appearance is perceived,
Please tell her not to be afraid and inspire her with true courage.
As the water element sinks into fire, and the smoke-like appearance is perceived,
Please show her your shining face and give her solace and peaceful joy.
As the fire element sinks into air, and the firefly-like appearance is perceived,
Please fill her mind with the sound of Dharma wisdom.
As the air element sinks into consciousness, and the flame-like appearance is perceived,
Please draw her into your pristine realm with the radiant light of your shining face.
And may the radiant red light
Emanating from your pristine heart
Enter her crown and descend the central channel
And hook her very subtle clear light mind
And bring it to your pristine realm.
If she must go into the intermediate state by force of karma,
May all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas surround her with the power of Dharma
And inspire her with the pure view, that sees all beings as utterly pure,
Hears all sounds as Dharma teachings, and sees all places as a pure realm.
Guru Buddha Amitabha,
Essence of the perfect truth of the triple gem,
Courageous one who liberates all sentient beings from the bondage of mundane existence
And delivers them to the supremely blissful realm of Buddhahood,
Please release her and all others from the cycle of death, intermediate state and rebirth.
Easily guide her to your wisdom by inspiring her
To thoroughly renounce grasping at mundane existence
And to achieve success in transferring her consciousness.
You are the liberator. Please take her with great compassion to your pristine realm
Dedication of Merit.
Through our gathering here today and offering these prayers
May ……… quickly attain a new rebirth
And may all living beings without exception,
Be led to a state of happiness.
May they be happy, May they be free of suffering, may they live in harmony with one another and may they find a spiritual path in this lifetime and follow it until they come to enlightenment.
May the desire to help others be developed
In all who are here and may it never fade away but increase more and more.
APPENDIX 4:
By Valeri Bailey-
A Form of Buddhist Funeral
EXPLANATION FOR CONGREGATION
A little introduction to this form of service maybe helpful for those who are not familiar with Buddhist beliefs.
Buddhists believe that this life is just one in a stream of consciousness that has continued from beginningless time and will continue until all beings attain Enlightenment. Mahayana Buddhists do not seek nirvana but are committed to return to the world again and again to help all beings find the joy that knows no sorrow. This is no easy commitment and (deceased's name) has asked for the prayers of all his/her friends and loved ones during this service and after.
The words of the service are taken from A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantedeva, the 8th Century Indian Buddhist saint who inspired Tibetan teachings on compassion.
An Awakening Mind described by Shantedeva, seeks to help all beings to Buddhahood. The verses follow the Seven Limb Prayer, central to daily practice. This prayer pays homage to the Buddhas of all time, makes offering to the Buddhas, declares wrong doing committed since beginningless time, rejoices in the virtues of self and others and beseeches the Buddha s to remain in the world and teach for as long as guidance is needed.
Chapter 1: The benefits of the Awakening Mind
Verses 5, 8,10,12,36
Chapter 2: Disclosure of Wrong Doings
Verses 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,22,24,26,27,28,29,34,35,36
Chapter 3: Full Acceptance of the Awakening Mind
Verses 1,4,5,7,8,9,10,18,19,20,21,22
At this point the coffin disappears when the service is in a crematorium. There can be meditation and private prayers. Also friends present can be asked to speak of the person who has died (both prepared comments and impromptu). These can be followed by mantras, prayers in Tibetan etc.
Chapter 10: Dedication
Verses 54,55,56,57
(Most of the text forms part of the Bodhisattva Vow Taking Ceremony so it is of particular relevance for anyone who has taken these vows.
Please also note that chapter headings should not be read.)
APPENDIX 5:
By Jampa- www.buddhistconsulting.com
Celebration of so & so's Life
This is a very basic idea of the service that Jampa-la performs, it varies depending on the individuals.
Basically there are two parts:
1. DEALING WITH THE DEPARTED
- Introduction of the person
- Say prayers, (if appropriate, ie. if to a Buddhist group) or no prayers if not.
- Explain we are sending the person on a journey to another life (this usually works with all traditions, even Christians where they believe that they are going to heaven, but this is another life )
- Invite people to talk about the person, this is good as it allows people to express their feelings and emotions.
- I often talk about the story of Milarepa. When he left Dingri and a huge snowstorm came up. He was thought to be dead, so the villagers did tzok for him. Later in the spring he was found alive and said he had strong experiences of eating delicious food, etc in the middle of the winter. The villagers then said it was their tzok, and so this proved the power of prayer to effect people at a distance.
- I usually then go back to the person who died and stress they are on a journey and we are sending them off. If I know the person well enough I pick a vehicle for them to leave in (one person liked money so he left in a lerr jet, another left walking on a beach into the sunset with flowers on her head. Basically whatever works for the person.)
- I Then encourage people to meditate on the gift they will send the beloved away with, such as money, flowers, love, etc. and we all mediate for a few minutes on sending the person on the journey.
2. DEALING WITH US, THE ONES LEFT BEHIND
- I usually say that we have just gifted the person who died with our energy and prayers. The person who has died has actually gifted us too.
- Explanation of Impermanence and discuss how we often forget this. We get too caught up in petty issues like property, our body, and our friends. (ie. A light version of the 9 point death meditation).
- I then talk about how now so and so has gone and all those things are gone too. We are normally more close to real feelings of companionship, love and such when death is close, so I say the gift that the departed has sent us is this awareness and the ability to break through old habits of ill will and such.
- This gift does not stay with us for long, so we have to take advantage of it quickly if we want to effect change in ourselves. Generally the idea is often that our heart is opened when death happens and we see beyond small minded arguments, etc. we may have held onto.
- We usually then meditate for a few moments
- Then I conclude and we all break for refreshments
8. Funeral Service Used at Hayagriva Buddhist Centre in 2013
Funeral Service Used at Hayagriva: The following service is based on one used for the funeral of Venerable Losang Chodron at Hayagriva Buddhist Centre in November 2013.
Suggested Western Buddhist Funeral Service
(Held at a Buddhist Centre and attended by family and friends many of whom are not Buddhist)
(Compiled from the Hayagriva Buddhist Centre, Perth and Tara Institute, Melbourne, 2013, and suggestions by Geshe Ngawang Sonam and Ven. Tenzin Chodron)
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Order of Events at a Funeral Service at a Buddhist Centre for a Buddhist Whose Family is Non-Buddhist |
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Event |
Who, What |
Notes |
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Preparations before service |
Various people |
Arrange parking, check access for hearse, check access for coffin, front desk assistant, ushers, vases for visitors’ flowers, set up table with candles for visitors to light, set up altar and gompa, funeral service booklet |
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Hearse arrives |
Pallbearers, preceded by incense holder |
Guide to position near altar |
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Welcome and introduction |
Master of Ceremonies |
Explain order of service, phones off, the three purposes of the service, invite visitors to view body, lapel mike on, glass water available for speaker |
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Open the coffin |
Funeral Parlour attendants to open, friend to start playing Japanese flute |
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Spiritual Leader to view body |
Spiritual Leader and attendant, place robe and kata on body |
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Visitors to view body |
Visitors, flute player to continue |
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Close the coffin |
Funeral Parlour attendants |
Might choose alternative of leaving coffin open |
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Opening prayers |
Spiritual Leader, with or without translator, visitors who wish can join in |
Choice of prayers up to Spiritual Leader, probably will include Refuge and Bodhicitta Prayer, maybe preceded by Refuge Visualisation, maybe plus Amitahba Prayer, MC to introduce Spiritual Leader. The Bardo Prayer could be recited by all, followed by the Purification Visualization. |
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Dharma friend’s eulogy |
Writer of eulogy or nominated friend, MC |
Check lapel mike, MC to introduce (very brief) and thank (very brief) |
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Family eulogy |
Family member, MC |
Check lapel mike |
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Grandchildren and children make offerings |
Offerors place flowers on coffin or altar, family member plays music |
If no children, then selected friends may do this, set up chair etc for musician |
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All recite selected prayers |
Prayers led by Spiritual Leader |
Prayers may include Prayer of St Francis of Assisi, Shantideva’s Prayer selected by Dalai Lama, King of Prayers (12 verses or more may be selected), mantras e.g. Medicine Buddha |
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Each visitor places lighted candle on special table or altar |
MC invites visitors forward, helpers prepare lighted candle for each person, friend plays flute accompaniment |
Check that space can support heat and fumes from number of candles |
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Farewell |
MC, (Spiritual Leader) |
Could say Dedication Prayer, casket removed, details of wake announced, visitors follow casket out to hearse |
Text of Suggested Prayers
Visualization before Refuge
As we take refuge, we visualize in the space before us divine beings, who have completed the path to total freedom and happiness. Divine beings such as the Buddhas, who have shown us a way out of all suffering, and the great Bodhisattvas, who refuse nirvana and remain in cyclic existence until every suffering creature is free. We can also visualize the saints and sages of other spiritual traditions, who embody the universal qualities of wisdom, love and compassion towards all those of us who are still not free from unhappiness.
Refuge Prayer
I go for refuge until I am enlightened,
To the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly,
By the merit of giving, and other perfections,
May I attain Buddhahood, to benefit all sentient beings. 3x
Bardo Prayer (from Ven. Tenzin Chodron)
The following prayer is a Tibetan Buddhist one. It’s traditionally used in helping those who have died as they continue on their journey.
Oh Enlightened Beings and Holy Beings abiding in all directions,
endowed with great compassion,
endowed with foreknowledge,
endowed with divine eye,
endowed with love,
affording protection to all sentient beings,
please, through the power of your great compassion come forth.
Oh Compassionate Ones, you who possess the wisdom of
understanding,
the love of compassion,
the power of doing divine deeds and of protecting in
incomprehensible measure,
Losang Chodron is passing from this world to the next.
She is taking a great leap. The light of the world has faded for her.
She has entered solitude with her karmic forces, she has gone in a
vast silence,
she is borne away by the great ocean of birth and death.
Oh Compassionate Ones, protect Losang Chodron who is defenceless.
Be to her like a mother and father.
Oh Compassionate Ones, let not the force of your compassion be
weak, but aid her.
Let Losang Chodron not go into a suffering state of existence.
Forget not your ancient vows.
Visualization of purification
Having taken refuge, and requested Holy Beings to look after the deceased, we visualise the divine beings emanating tremendous rays of light and pouring down all their compassion and blessing. Imagine this light streaming down onto the deceased, purifying her totally and freeing her from any confusion and pain of her death, granting her profound, lasting peace. Imagine then, with all your heart and mind, that the deceased dissolves into light and her consciousness, healed now and free of all suffering, merges indissolubly, and forever, with the wisdom mind of the buddhas.
The Prayer of St.Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, unity;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
Where there is darkness, light.
O Divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Shantideva’s Prayer as Selected by His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms,
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing,
The hungry find food;
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the forlorn find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power
And may people think of benefiting each other.
Extract from The King of Prayers:
The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra
I bow down to the youthful Arya Manjushri.
You lions among humans,
Gone to freedom in the present, past and future
In the worlds of ten directions,
To all of you, with body, speech, and sincere mind, I bow down.
With the energy of aspiration for the bodhisattva way,
With a sense of deep respect,
And with as many bodies as atoms of the world,
To all you buddhas visualized as real, I bow down.
On every atom are buddhas numberless as atoms,
Each amidst a host of bodhisattvas,
And I am confident the sphere of all phenomena
Is entirely filled with buddhas in this way.
With infinite oceans of praise for you,
And oceans of sound from the aspects of my voice,
I sing the breathtaking excellence of buddhas,
And celebrate all of you gone to bliss.
Beautiful flowers and regal garlands,
Sweet music, scented oils, and parasols,
Sparkling lights and sublime incense,
I offer to you victorious ones.
Fine dress and fragrant perfumes,
Sandalwood powder heaped high as Mount Meru,
All wondrous offerings in spectacular array,
I offer to you victorious ones.
With transcendent offerings peerless and vast,
With profound admiration for all the buddhas,
With strength of conviction in the bodhisattva way,
I offer and bow down to all victorious ones.
Every harmful action I have done
With my body, speech, and mind
Overwhelmed by attachment, anger, and confusion,
All these I openly lay bare before you.
I lift up my heart and rejoice in all positive potential
Of the buddhas and bodhisattvas in ten directions,
Of solitary realizers, hearers still training, and those beyond,
And of all ordinary beings.
You who are the bright lights of worlds in ten directions,
Who have attained a buddha’s omniscience through the stages of awakening,
All you who are my guides,
Please turn the supreme wheel of Dharma.
With palms together I earnestly request:
You who may actualize parinirvana,
Please stay with us for eons numberless as atoms of the world,
For the happiness and well-being of all wanderers in samsara.
Whatever slight positive potential I may have created,
By paying homage, offering, and acknowledging my faults,
Rejoicing, and requesting that the buddhas stay and teach,
I now dedicate all this for full awakening.
Medicine Buddha Mantra
TAYATHA OM
BEKANZAY BEKANZAY
MAHA BEKANZAY BEKANZAY
RADZA SAMUDGATAY
SOHA
Shakyamuni Buddha Mantra
TAYATHA OM MUNE MUNE
MAHA MUNE YE
SVAHA
Mantra of Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara
OM MANI PADME HUM
Dedication Prayer
Due to these merits
May I quickly become a Buddha
And lead each and every sentient being
To that enlightened state
May the supreme mind of enlightenment
That has not arisen, arise and grow,
And may that which has arisen,
Not diminish but increase more and more.
