Bhante performs special blessing services, such as housewarming ceremonies, wedding services, birthday blessings, hospital visits and wake services for Members of the Library and their families.

Dana (Practice of Generosity) and Sharing of Merits
One is highly encouraged to practice Dana or perform virtuous deeds of generosity. It may be in the form of making donations, offering of robes, food and essentials to monks or the Sangha community, taking of Precepts, and so forth, and sharing of merits to deceased persons or relatives and to all beings, wishing that all beings may be free from suffering and attain enlightenment. Dedication of merits is a virtuous practice and it brings out the noble and selfless heart in us.

 A common question one might have is, “Can the merits be transferred and decreased persons receive our merits?” According to the Tirokudda Sutta, a discourse given by the Buddha, merits may be shared with hungry ghosts. If a person is reborn a hungry ghost, he may rejoice over the meritorious deed that has been done on his account. That act of rejoicing is itself a meritorious and significant deed that can help to alleviate his suffering.

Buddhism does not encourage superstitious taboos, rites and rituals. It, however, respects cultural differences in traditions and practices. The important aspect of one’s practice of the Dhamma is to,uphold the Dhamma, keep our precepts and practice the Buddha’s teachings given in the Noble Eightfold Path. This will give true protection and is the way to liberation or Nibbana. 

How a Theravada Buddhist Funeral may be conducted
“Impermanent are all conditioned things.
Of a nature to arise and pass away.
Having arisen, they pass away.
Their calming and cessation is true bliss.”

A Buddhist funeral ceremony can be carried out in a simple yet meaningful manner.

Before death, if the person is seriously ill and near death, it would be helpful to invite one or more monks to the bedside to give a Dhamma discourse, to chant Suttas, and to give the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. A Buddhist, having faith in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha will feel joy and comfort in seeing members of the Sangha. One should reflect on the good deeds one had done and arouse confidence that these deeds would give one a good rebirth and support one in one’s next life.

In Buddhism, we are taught by the Buddha to accept the fact of death, not to mourn and lament. Though it is understandable that there will be grieving and sorrow at the time of death, family members are encouraged to restrain themselves from weeping and wailing before the dying person. Tears and emotion will only upset the dying person and make it more difficult for him or her to leave in peace. Undue clinging and attachment will only cause more suffering for everyone. Family members instead should assure the dying person that he or she need not worry about them, that he or she should keep his or her mind calm and peaceful.

However, this does not mean that we should in anyway suppress or deny our grief. What we can do is to be mindful and acknowledge the sorrowful feelings that arise in us. We may shed tears and grieve, however through mindfulness and wise contemplation, we won’t be overwhelmed by our sorrow. Such an occasion would be a great opportunity to reflect on the Buddha’s teaching of Annica (impermanence). This is the time when you can contemplate on how fragile one’s life can be and it is important that while we are alive we should do more good deeds and live a wholesome and meaningful life. We are owners of our own Kamma.

“Death is certain, life is uncertain. All existing things are transient and subject to decay.”