

Question: Many Buddhist temples have several annual chanting ceremonies (Dharma assemblies) for paying respect to deceased ancestors, with their names written on tablets or slips of paper. Does this encourage them to be attached?

Answer: The paying of respect is just in case they are still around. It is not to encourage them to stay. In fact, it is to encourage them to reach Pure Land by offering the power of guidance and merits, as can be seen at https://purelanders.com/2013/11/07/how-to-share-the-power-of-merits-guidance The tablets and name slips are just focal points for remembrance and chanting; not places for them to stay.

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What Should Be Chanted Even After Death

https://purelanders.com/2016/ 07/19/what-should-be-chanted- during-after-a-funeral