​Dharma Drum Seattle Center Held an End-of-Life Chanting Training Course

From November 11^th to 12^th, Dharma Drum Seattle Center organized an end-of-life chanting training course with more than thirty participants. On the two topics of the 

deathbed chanting aid" session, many participants shared that they felt deep sorrow and found it hard to let go when their elderly family members passed away. However, after the family members performed the ongoing chanting of the Buddha's name for the deceased, they released their worries and mental burdens when they found that the visage of the deceased family member became peaceful. All participants unanimously agreed that, amidst the pain of bereavement, chanting the Buddha's name is the best blessing for the departed. 

Ven. Chang Wei explained that, from a Buddhist perspective, the deceased possess keen spiritual sensitivity, and their family members' thoughts and intentions have especially great impacts on them. If the family members can keep reciting the Buddha's name within the first eight hours of the deceased's passing, this will bring enormous comfort and benefits to them. The Venerable also led the participants in practicing the protocol of the deathbed chanting aid, including the use of hand-chime and shift change of chanting aid team, to ensure uninterrupted chanting of the Buddha's name. Chanting the Buddha's name with a respectful heart is one way to wish the deceased could embrace their next life without terror and fear. Our serenity during the end-of-life chanting can be contagious, which in turn saves the family members and friends around from sinking into sorrow. 

The founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, Master Sheng Yen, once said that "Death is neither a joyful event, nor a mournful funeral, but a solemn Buddhist service." In the "Buddhist-style funerals" session, the participants shared their respective experiences of attending funerals of different religions. Ven. Chang Wei encouraged everyone to discuss their own funeral and plan beforehand, to ensure that their final journey is arranged according to their wishes. 

Ven. Chang Wei indicated that Dharma Drum Mountain advocates simple yet dignified and solemn Buddhist-style funerals in accordance with the idea of "Spiritual Environmental Protection." Under the guidance of the Venerable, the participants practiced the protocol of the Buddhist-style funeral, from inviting the Venerables; reciting the Buddha's name, the Heart Sūtra, and the Amitabha Pure Land Rebirth Dhāraṇī; and, lastly, moving the coffin. After the two-day course, participants gained greater insights, with many continuing to ask the Venerable relevant questions to clear doubts about chanting aid. 



Text: Dharma Drum Seattle Center
Photos: Dharma Drum Seattle Center
Translation: Siang-ling Li
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL