Life, Death and Ancestors
If a relative would not harm me, must keeping their ashes at home have no effect?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
In my understanding of practice, saying a family member would not harm me is insufficient to conclude that keeping ashes at home long term has no effect. Having no wish to hurt family differs from continuing attachments and energetic connections.
I have discussed how a deceased person strongly attached to their body may remain connected with the ashes. Family continually wishing to keep them nearby may also sustain the attachment. This is my faith perspective, not a claim that every family keeping ashes has already experienced the same issue.
Ashes also cannot simply be compared with fish or pork in a refrigerator. Feelings toward food differ from love for family, and duration and attitude differ too. Cremated ashes are not a decomposing body either. These different things should not be confused.
I would prefer the deceased to move toward their appropriate destination and family gradually transform reluctance into blessings. Photographs and inward memories can remain; preserving a body is not the only way to remember. Arrangements still depend on each household. I explain my religious view without setting deadlines for grief or demanding everyone immediately say goodbye in the same way.