Preparing dead body for Cremation

There are certain customs and means to follow while preparing the deceased body for the cremation which would benefit the dead person and mourning families at the highest level.
It is important to have astrological judgments considered like choosing morticians, time and the date of the cremation, etc.

First in procedures come the bathing of the deceased. Last bath to the dead should be honored with clean water mixed with saffron and Camphor (དྲི་བཟང་ག་བུར). One could consider milk water bathing as well.
The most important process in this section is pasting of Ayatana Dharani on the body parts.

Āyatana is a sense base. In Buddhism there are six internal sense bases known as organs and six external sense objects. Their pairs of sense bases relations:

• Eye and Visible Objects
• Ear and Sound
• Nose and Odor
• Tongue and Taste
• Body and Touch
• Mind and Mental Objects

Khenpo Shar in his book argues that most people are unaware of Ayatana Dharani, and those who know little about it do not do it accordingly but unconsciously place on the body.

The right way he conveys are, paint the printed Dharani by saffron and Camphor mixed in water or paint into Yellow. Dry and cut into precise pieces and paste onto body parts according to the text.

The last stage on this part is binding of the body. There is a tradition that the binding rope gets blessing from Lams and the Lama at the scene tie place the rope around the neck of Corpse. Hands of the deceased should be in folded or crossed position while binding.

The tying rope should be made from natural grass fiber, but not advised to use plastic or synthetic ropes in any situation.

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Extracted from the book: Guidelines to benefit the Deceased by Khenpo Nima Shar.
Khenpo NIma is a researcher with Tago Dorden Tashithang Buddhist University.

Things needed to be done right after death

When a person dies the outer breath ceases to respire but the inner continue for a while. The inner breath is believed to last for four momentary Phenomena. Though the heats of the body are exhausted, chest and armpits remains warm. During those moments one should avoid disturbing/touching the body but cover with white clothes.

As the inner breathe ceases to take breaths, the body of the dead person to position/arrange either in Lotus or Cross Position and the legs in Vajra/normal sitting posture.

It will be a greater accomplishment for the dead and the living if the dying person’s family could set position the body in aforementioned posture. The reasons in general are believed to be that the dying will be blessed and fit for #BudhhaDharma practice and also attain perfect body to practice #Vajrayana in next life.

The #Lotus #Mudra signifies the respect and devotion to all the accomplished #masters and also connotes reverence to the Lama performing funeral rites at the cremation ground through the practice of #Buddha #Akshobhya.

Burning #Tagdrol and #Vajra #Guru dharani while burning the corpse will gather lots of merits for the dead. It is believed that burning “Om Ah Hung Vajra Guru Padma Sidhi Hung” during funerals will help the dead attain #Mahasukha the great paradise.

Tagdrol Phungpo Rangdrol:
It’s a text Talisman that is to place on body without separation until it’s burnt together with corpse during cremation. It is believed that the mere touch of the text onto the body would close door to lower realms and also assist in attaining Nirvana.

Please visit this link FST has on Takdrol: https://www.facebook.com/FuneralServiceThimphu/photos/a.603066963177765/1490240811127038/?type=3&theater

Referred the book “Guidelines to benefit the deceased”by Khenpo Nima Shar while writing this post.

For the dying person

A dying person exhibits the signs of both the inner and outer death. During the moment of dying, the best possible way to benefit dying is to have an accomplished Lam, Monk, Nun or a Lay practitioners near him/her to give and lead through Transference of Conscious (Phowa).

Reciting dharani of guru Rinpoche and avalokitesvara, supplication of Zhabdrung or Bardo Soeldep (intermediate prayers) closer or into the ears of dying person will help them through the intermediate stage.

The least people around could do are avoid crying, screaming and holding onto the dying person. Quiet and peaceful surroundings will be paramount importance as the soul leaves the body.

In brief, the family left behind shouldn’t create an ambiance for the dying person to possess attachment, anger/hatred, ignorance, pride/ ego, zealousness rather help focus their faith/devotion, renunciation and Bodhichita nature.


Referred the book “guidelines to benefit the deceased” by Khenpo Nima Shar
while writing this post.