Life, Death and Ancestors
Does Master recommend eating ashes to keep a deceased loved one nearby?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
No. I do not recommend eating ashes. Losing someone loved may be overwhelmingly painful, and reluctance to part is understandable, but I do not endorse trying to keep them this way.
The program relayed news of someone unable to let go of his deceased wife who mixed her ashes with rice, hoping she had not left. From faith, I regarded the intention not to let her leave as more important than ingestion itself. Repetition might repeatedly strengthen the thought that she must remain with him.
In our energy understanding, cremation weakens the original connection with bones. I felt this story more closely involved the act strengthening the person’s thoughts and attachments. Discussing it aimed to encourage blessings for the departed, not imitation to retain relatives or pets.
Memories can remain in the heart. Those with faith can seek deliverance through Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and wish the deceased toward a better place. Those remaining gradually learn acceptance and care for their own lives. Love need not remain fixed on forcing someone to stay in the original position.