Question: [1] Sea burial (or inland ash-scattering) can be done, if the deceased are without attachment to their remains, while [2] land burial (or ash-storing in urns) should be done, if they are with attachment. However, how do I know if I will have attachment later, to decide which is suitable for me now?
Answer: Imagine you are deceased now… If you instinctively feel that you will keep sticking to ‘your body’, in the casket, furnace and/or urn, you are likely to be attached. There might be a sense of ‘dread’ from ‘being’ buried, cremated, put in an urn or scattered, although your consciousness (神识) is no longer bound to or by ‘your body’. Thus, [2] will be ‘safer’.
If you will not bother about what will be done with ‘your body’ at all, you are likely to not be attached. Thus, [1] will be alright. If not in Pure Land (净土) yet, you should immediately be mindful of Āmítuófó’s (阿弥陀佛) name with utmost sincerity, till he is seen and followed, with total disregard for the body, which is no longer yours to care for.
