Life, Death and Ancestors
Does every deceased person need the rite of breaking the City of Untimely Death?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
No. Sheng Zhen Men first understands the deceased person’s current condition. We arrange that item only if genuinely needed, and omit it otherwise.
The same applies to seven-day memorial observances and rites. From the first seventh day to the seventh, traditional forms can be consulted, but the deceased person’s condition still matters. We first understand whom we help and present needs, rather than give everyone the same procedure on a particular day.
A ritual gains its purpose from responding to needs. Clarifying the situation and arranging suitable help better reflects our intention than judging names and adding every item indiscriminately.