| Buddhist Ceremony |
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Legend has it that when a man went to the Buddha professing his grief over the loss of a friend, the Buddha gave him particularly sage advice: throw a party. Tōrō Nagashi is a Japanese Buddhist ceremony in which souls are sent to the next life aboard small paper boats. Chinese attitudes include the belief that life, without death, would not be possible. Many Buddhist traditions, which are performed in preparation for the deceased’s journey to the next life, can be carried over to any kind of service. For example, family members or close friends of the deceased can wear armbands or hair ribbons to designate their relationship to the deceased. Boutonnieres or corsages worn in different colors signify members of the immediate family and those of the second family. For a life partner, significant other or long-time friend, whose relationship needs validating because he or she is not considered next of kin, a visual designation makes an excellent acknowledgement. Blanketing is considered an important gift for the journey of the soul. Friends and family drape sheets of silk, velvet and satin over the loved one in the casket. You can also set up a shrine or worship table near the casket. On it you can place burning incense in an incense pot, lighted candles, photos, and other mementos. |