End-of-Life/Funeral Customs

End-of-life practices are very important and vary according to the different schools. What is essential is to create an C A R I N G How to minister to your patient atmosphere of meditation, peace, FOR YOUR quiet, and presence around the A Buddhist is probably not expecting a patient. Ask the family if they are chaplain’s visit; some may be atheist in bent, B U D D H I S T affiliated with a particular temple, and others more religious; some may not even be PATIENT have them contact the temple in order listed on the census as Buddhist. If possible, to send an appropriate monk, nun, or find out what tradition they are from, ask if clergy member to offer chanting and they are affiliated with a local temple, and/or . For a list of various Buddhist inquire if their monk/nun or teacher knows of temples/centers in the USA and other their illness and could come to visit. countries go to www.dharmanet.org Buddhists appreciate altars. If they don’t have one in their room you can help set one up for At death, the mind/spirit gradually them. A picture or statue of Buddha, a flower, leaves the body. This may take a few or perhaps an electric candle is all you need! hours. During this time, chants and Your patient may welcome a of healing prayers are recited to help this or a short chant, or may want to meditate for transition. It is important to remember that a few minutes. Ask them what they would like many Buddhists wi! not want the body of to do. You will find that most are very open the deceased touched or moved for a few and accepting. hours after death. Cremation is the Here is a list of some short chants: accepted practice, as the Buddha : Buddham Saranam Gacchami himself was cremated at his passing. A $ Dhammam Saranam Gacchami monastic may be called to offer special $ Sangham Saranam Gacchami chanting for the dead. Tibetan: Mani Padme Hum : Reincarnation is a widely held belief, Japanese Namu Amida Butsu Chinese Namo Ami Tuo Fo and the spirit of the deceased will Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo undergo a 49 days after death. : On this day a special ceremony is Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them. Prepared by Rev. Seigan Ed Glassing Delusions are inexhaustible; I vow to extinguish them. performed. [email protected] copyright 2013 The are boundless; I vow to master them. The Buddha way is unattainable; I vow to attain it.

WHICH SCHOOL IS MY PATIENT? You may ask the patient, or find their native country: this will give you a good clue. Western Buddhists may come from any school.

THERAVADA / VIPASSANA! Theravada literally means “Teaching of the elders.” This branch is the only surviving school of traditional Buddhism. It is characterized by emphases on liberation of the self through practicing The Eightfold Path, one’s own meditation, observation of the precepts and giving alms to monastics. Countries predominately Theravada: Sri Lanka, Burma Fo!owing The Eightfold Path Buddha is the great teacher and venerable one. No matter what Sa"on-colored robes characterize school your patient comes %om they would most likely appreciate (Myanmar), Thailand, Laos, Kampuchea, Cambodia, means living a balanced life the monks and nuns. avoiding a! extremes. an image or sma! statue of Buddha in their room. You can assist Indonesia, & the West. them by cutting out the picture of the Buddha on the face of this brochure and delivering it to them. TIBETAN / ! This branch developed in the Himalayas around the 1st century. The use of ritual is very important whether through purification Buddhism is a religion/philosophy (bowing), (visualization), or (chanting). Having a that encompasses a variety of personal teacher is essential. This school is a fusion of monastic and esoteric Buddhism. There are four distinct sects of Tibetan traditions, beliefs, and practices Buddhism. Countries: , Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, based on the teachings of parts of India, China, Russia, & the West. Famous for its ritual and color, His Holiness the 14th Dalai is rich and is a spiritual advisor. Siddhartha Gautama, commonly vibrant. known as Shakyamuni, the Buddha ZEN / CH- AN (Awakened One). Emphasizes the personal experience of enlightenment/insight The Buddha lived and taught in through meditation (). It was brought from India to China India around the 6th century BCE. and developed in China in the 6th & 7th centuries. Unorthodox During his life he shared his in its approach, Zen is a special transmission outside the scriptures, beyond words, directly pointing to the human heart, insights to help sentient beings realizing ones inherent Buddha Nature. Two schools exist today: Soto and Rinzai. Zen spread to Japan, Korea, & Vietnam end suffering (dukkha) through Meditation, or Zazen, is the Japanese culture in particular is practicing a disciplined meditative and from these countries was brought to the West. quintessential practice in this saturated with Zen—its gardens, school. Chanting and bowing are tea ceremony, art, music, and life, eliminating ignorance, craving also important. archery a! have been influenced. and hatred. Spiritual liberation is PURE LAND/ JODO/ NICHIREN attained by way of self- A number of devotional schools emphasizing the practice of understanding and seeing our True faith in the saving power of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Nature—which is the highest Light. Through chanting his name and or parts of “The Lotus happiness, . ” one will be reborn in the Pure Land, a Buddha paradise. At present this is the largest school of Buddhism in China, Japan, & the West.