Question: Should we burn paper offerings with Buddhist wordings on them for the deceased?
Answer: ‘Rebirth money’ (往生钱) or ‘rebirth talismans’ (往生符) refers to usually yellow paper with mantras such as the Rebirth Mantra (往生咒) printed on them. In the Buddhist perspective, the folk superstition of burning such paper offerings, especially with Buddhist mantras is not only not needed, it should be avoided too. Historically, it is unfortunate that mantras came to be printed for this misguided purpose.
The custom of burning such fake ‘money’ is useless as it cannot be used by anyone for any purpose. It is worth noting that even for ghost stories throughout the ages, whether they are true or not, there are few of spirit beings actually using such ‘money’. Also, since the mantras on paper are meant as so-called ‘talismans’ for protection, to destroy them by burning helps no one. Mantras are meant for upholding, not burning. E.g. the Rebirth Mantra (or the name of Amituofo; Amitabha Buddha) is for recitation to guide birth in Amituofo’s Pure Land.
The above custom is harmful as representations of mantras are sacred, not to be destroyed, unless for returning to the elements respectfully due to severe damage. To purposely create or get mantras for destruction is the worst way to handle them. Also, as Great Master Yinguang warned, as many of such papers are carelessly and incompletely burnt, falling to the ground and mixing with rubbish, this creates grave karmic transgressions.
Question: Should we burn other paper offerings (other forms of ‘money’, houses, cars, and everyday items) during funerals and festive days for the deceased?
Answer: Likewise, in the Buddhist perspective, the burning of all other paper offerings only wastes time, energy, paper and money, while polluting the land and air. As above, there are no indisputable accounts of any being receiving re-materialised burnt items, or of any being requiring them. The custom of burning paper offerings arose only in Chinese folk culture, while neither non-Chinese humans nor non-Chinese spirit beings have ever bothered about it.
Related Articles:
Should We Burn Everything To Re-create Everything?
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/thedailyenlightenment-realisation/conversations/messages/365
General & Pure Land Practices During Ullambana & Qingming
http://purelanders.com/2012/06/25/general-buddhist-pure-land-practices-during-qing-ming-ullambana
Great Master Yinguang’s Advice Against Burning Paper Offerings
http://tinyurl.com/noyoz4j
Yet we need to respect others’ beliefs and practices.
Yet, non-Buddhists need to respect actual Buddhists’ outlook on Buddhist mantras.
Buddhists might not be able to control what others do to Buddhist mantras, but we can educate to let one another decide what should or should not be done. Amituofo
Since burning of paper items are irrelevant from the Buddhist perspective, shouldn’t the Buddhist temple walks the talk by not selling these paper items to the worshipers during these events?
What about offering of cooked food to the deceased, is it meaningful and relevant? Again, I noticed cooked food were offered to the deceased at the mass ritual during the Ullamana, Qing Ming and Shui Lu Fa Hui events, and painfully, seeing all these food being thrown away at the end of the day !
do such practices “creates grave karmic transgressions” ? :
Please feel free to feedback to the temples mentioned. Perhaps less perishable foods can be offered. Technically, offered food is not really wasted if consumed in essence by unseen beings though.
Related articles:
Can The Departed Receive Food Offerings?
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/09/can-the-departed-receive-food-offerings
Can We Eat Food After Offering At Shrines
https://thedailyenlightenment.com/2015/05/can-we-eat-food-after-offering-at-shrines
I have come across people telling me that their loved ones tell them in their dreams that they would like to eat certain food.Some of them say that their loved ones do not have enough money to spend in the other world.
I suppose it is ok for them to burn a bit of paper money so as to make themselves feel better.
Even if the dreams were real, non-vege food shouldn’t be offered as this creates negative karma in the name of the deceased.
Just a little can be burnt, not to make them feel better, but to help the deceased realise it the paper money cannot be received.
It is most important to offer the power of guidance and mertis: http://purelanders.com/2013/11/07/how-to-share-the-power-of-merits-guidance Amituofo