General

Amitābha Buddha’s Image’s Placement At Wakes 阿弥陀佛像在丧礼的摆设

Other than the Buddha image placed at the front shrine, near the feet area of the casket, as readily seen by visitors, having another Buddha image (or more) near the head area is also important, if not more so – as physical reminder(s) to be mindful of the Buddha, should the consciousness still be habitually within the body or near.

[1] The above is an example of how to place a image of Āmítuófó (in terms of a statue) near the head area of the deceased. (Note the Buddha recitation device (念佛机) placed there as a reminder too.)

[2] – [3] The above are more examples of how to place image(s) of Āmítuófó (in terms of pictures) near the head area of the deceased, as a scroll on a stand and a book’s picture propped up. (More on the book: https://thedailyenlightenment.com/webstore/store.php#!/Amit%C4%81bha-S%C5%ABtra/p/17896246/category=4197228.)

The scroll can also be hung at the tentage’s end wall from the top of its frame, although it is indeed better if closer to the casket, as above.

A card can also be used at the position of the book, such as this: https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2017/01/the-pure-land-pass-card.) (Note that a Buddha recitation device can be placed at the gold coloured box area as a reminder too.)

[4] The tentage design used can also be with Āmítuófó’s picture, or on a ‘screen’ as above.

Embalmment Notes:

The first and third pictures are with closed caskets as there were no embalmment, thus with the Rebirth Blanket [往生被] covered all the way. (There will not be any unpleasant smell even for longer wakes [in Singapore] as the caskets will be sealed airtight professionally.)

The second picture is with an open casket (with transparent acrylic at the head area for viewing), [which is allowed in Singapore only when there is embalmment]. Thus is the blanket not covered all the way. (As natural photographs of the deceased after ample support-chanting [助念] should suffice for showing late visitors, embalmment is not necessary.)

Ideally, there should not be embalmment, as it involves much touching and moving of the body, inside and outside, with washing, wiping, draining of body fluids, pumping of chemicals, squeezing of limbs and putting of make-up. This will cause magnified pain to the consciousness if still attached within the body.

If the consciousness experiences great post-death pain in the body, there might be ‘stepping out’ of the body instinctively (unless strongly attached). For example, just as a hand on a hot stove will immediately retract, the consciousness might instinctively shun the source of the pain. What more, after death, the consciousness is free to move in and out. That said, to reduce the risk of causing needless agony, again, ideally, there should not be embalmment.

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阿弥陀佛像在临终者前的摆设
Buddha Picture Placement For The Dying
https://purelanders.com/2022/05/12/buddha-picture-placement-for-the-dying

临终与丧礼助念摆设
Support-Chanting Layouts For Patients And Wakes
https://purelanders.com/2018/11/28/support-chanting-layouts-for-the-dying-wakes

外在援助
External Aids (E.g. Rebirth Blanket etc.) (See Section [25])
https://purelanders.com/2015/12/30/important-guidelines-2-during-dying-pure-land-passport-section-4b

防腐处理
Embalmment (See Section [11])
https://purelanders.com/2015/12/30/important-guidelines-3-after-dying-pure-land-passport-section-4c

Can The Consciousness Of The Deceased Still Be In The Body?
https://purelanders.com/2021/12/10/can-the-consciousness-of-the-deceased-still-be-in-the-body

Should We Follow New Funeral Trends?
https://purelanders.com/2017/02/23/should-we-follow-new-funeral-trends

On Clothing And Embalming Of The Deceased
https://purelanders.com/2017/08/02/on-clothing-embalming-of-the-deceased

劝念佛示像,得摄生光明
Encouraging Mindfulness Of Buddha And Showing His Image Attains Gathering Of Sentient Beings’ Bright Light
https://purelanders.com/2023/09/08/encouraging-mindfulness-of-buddha-and-showing-his-image-attains-gathering-of-sentient-beings-bright-light

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