Life, Death and Ancestors
Would Master recommend ash necklaces or tattooing a deceased loved one’s name as a memorial?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
I understand the reluctance to part behind ash necklaces or memorial name tattoos. However, when clients or friends ask, from practice and energy perspectives I generally discourage continually strengthening mutual attachments this way.
Ashes differ from ordinary photographs because they remain from the person’s body. I have said cremation may weaken the original connection. Yet wearing ashes and frequently thinking of the person may deepen it through intention in my religious understanding. Permanent lettering on skin with strong memorial intention also enters my consideration.
Seeing news of Dee Hsu commemorating her sister, I first thought of the family’s pain. Whether this could prevent the deceased moving on was difficult to say, as I stated then. News alone cannot establish her sister’s soul is trapped. I hope the departed move toward a better place and survivors gradually transform attachment into blessings. Memories can remain inwardly; love need not be proven by continually keeping someone nearby.
Families retain their own choices. We encountered a client keeping a cat’s ashes at home, where a practitioner perceived the cat remaining. The owner wanted that arrangement for now, and we did not force treatment. I explain views and suggestions without demanding identical immediate farewells or setting another person’s deadline for grief.