hasunoha

Will people watch even when they die

Will people become nothing when they die? Aren't they watching us as Buddha?

My grandmother, whom I have loved and cherished since I was a child, recently passed away. I don't have a Buddhist altar in my house (it's at a relative's house), so I put a picture of my grandmother and make an offering in front of it. My grandmother was unable to eat any food or water for half a year until her death (eating and drinking were prohibited by the hospital, and nutrition was taken with a catheter). However, the person himself always said “I want to eat” and “I want to drink water,” but he passed away without it coming true, so he was so pitiful, and at least he wanted them to eat a lot in heaven, so they made a lot of offerings. But then I suddenly think. I wonder if my grandmother is eating it after doing something like this. When people die, there is no such thing as a Buddha or a spirit in the other world, and I think they just completely become nothing. If that's the case, offering this and that drink and food every day is simply my complacency. Thinking about that makes me feel empty. If the Buddha and the other world are gone, then it can be said that offering and visiting graves are completely meaningless acts. When I did various searches on the internet, people with inspiration expressed the opinion that “they are eating properly,” but since I don't have any inspiration, I can't sense anything.

Also, my grandmother has been visiting the grave of my grandfather, who passed away over 20 years ago, almost every day, and I don't even think my grandfather was watching. This is because my grandmother continued to suffer from physical disorders for many years, and since it's going to be a long sentence, I'll omit it, but it was too miserable at the end of her life. I often hear that “if you think about the deceased and cherish graves, etc., you can be happy,” but my grandmother was pitiful until the end. When I think about this, after all, people just become nothing when they die, and it makes me think that there is nothing more than that, in other words, they don't watch us.

I know this is a difficult question, but thank you for your answers.

4 Zen Responses

Everything has been conveyed.

I'm sorry for Aozora's heartache.
Also, I pray for the grandmother's peace of mind.

I'm so sad that my precious grandmother passed away. What's more, I think my heart will be tightened by the fact that I was in a situation where I couldn't even drink water before I passed away.
But now, Aozora is very happy that Aozora is offering water and food. Of course, since there is no body, there is no loss of water or loss of food, but it is transmitted in a world of different dimensions.

And death doesn't mean everything is nothing. Originally, humans are composed of three components: soul, consciousness, and body, so death is nothing more than a physical change (extinction), and the soul and consciousness (mind) are continuing. Therefore, I really know everything about Aozora. At the same time, thoughts are also being conveyed, so now I am more and more freed from physical suffering, so please tell me only my good thoughts. It's nothing but gratitude.
Of course, making offerings is also important in this world.

Also, the fact that she suffered in her later years, even though her grandmother did her best to make a memorial service for her grandfather, or that she was suffering in her later years, is just a matter of convenience of Aozora-san's interpretation.
It has been properly conveyed that the memorial service was held, and the grandmother's savings were piled up. However, my grandmother in her later years is just about her life.
No matter what kind of person they are, not to mention the gods and Buddhas, their ancestors and the way they died protect that person's life, even God and Buddha will not manipulate it. This is because if you do that, you won't be able to create your own future.

It's going to be a bit difficult, so I won't talk about it here, but anyway, my grandpa and grandmother are still watching over Aozora with admiration, so don't worry. And it's all conveyed. Proof of this can be seen when Aozora-san goes to the same world (dimension) as her grandmother. Until then, enjoy this world to the fullest. That is the greatest memorial service for my grandmother, and I am grateful.

You're watching your grandmother

 Aozora-san, I'm sorry that your grandmother was so lonely. Please take care of your health and take care of yourself.
Well, I don't know if your grandmother is watching over you. Buddhist funeral ceremonies are for living together under the Buddha. I think there is no doubt that I have become a Buddha. No matter how much you offer them, they won't eat it. Suffice to say, they may be eating scents and steam. If you offer food, the aroma and steam will rise to the sky, right? And before I knew it, the scent and steam disappeared. Please take the solid as a hand-me-down with your family.
The reason why the Buddha is kept alive is because you are watching. So your grandmother isn't watching over you. You're watching over your grandmother. Your life is yours. It's not influenced by the Buddha. The Buddha is you. If you can be kind to the deceased, please direct that kindness towards living things. That is my grandmother's best memorial service. Your grandmother will feel at ease, and your feelings will also be at ease.
As you become a Buddha, your grandmother will naturally become visible as a true Buddha.

 

Offer merit

Aozora-sama

People don't become nothing when they die.

In particular, it will continue to exist as the next entity according to the fine consciousness related to reincarnation and the relationship between work (this world, accumulation of actions from past lives) in that consciousness.

The pain caused by the body as a human being may no longer exist, but if we reincarnate as a person and continue to exist, it will be accompanied by similar pain as a human being...

If possible, it would be most desirable to be able to walk in Buddhism as an entity in the Pure Land world representing paradise, etc.

As such a person with little hesitation and suffering, making arrangements so that they can walk the path of definite Buddhism is something called memorial services such as funerals, chasing good fortune, etc.

The best memorial service is to deliver merit.

Merit is the accumulation of good deeds.

This virtue (power of good fortune) is one of the fuels and gasoline for reaching enlightenment.

Anything is fine, so doing something that makes someone or something feel safe is a merit. This is true not only for humans, but also for other living creatures.

Please try to be a little aware so that you can deliver such acts to them.

Well, I'll report that I did a good thing at a Buddhist altar or in front of a tomb.

Then, those merits will reach those who have passed away, and they will be able to use it as food for each other to walk a better path.

The important thing is to “do good things.” It means that it will be the best memorial service. It means I want to offer merit rather than offering things or shapes.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho

They are made into Buddha and are watching over me.

I believe so.

and
I too will become a Buddha when I die
I would like to guide related people.