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Thanks for sharing!
You breathe in air that was produced by a tree and the tree "breathes" in air that was produced by your lungs.
I think we could already consider ourselves to be one organism.
What about the urine we produce everyday? It will go back to the hydrological cycle. Eventually, it will become rain. Perhaps rain that falls on your lawn? It becomes part of your lawn.
When you mow, you mow yourself. When you breathe, you breathe yourself.
Things appear to be different, but actually they are one. Different, but not separate.
When you die, you still are yourself. Just different manifestation(s).
No need to plant anything - you are everything anyway.
Much better than my Manhattan friend whose father requested that his ashes be tossed into his favorite Hudson River. Standing at the rail next to the river my friend solemnly opened the urn to pour the ashes into the water. While whispering, "Goodbye,Dad", the wind changed and blew all the ashes back onto my friend's clothing.
Not being fazed,my friend energetically brushed his sleeves saying, "GoodBYE Dad! *brush,brush* "GoodBYE Dad!!. . . .
Gassho,
Myosha
"Recognize suffering, remove suffering." - Shakyamuni Buddha when asked, "Uhm . . .what?"
Thanks for sharing!
You breathe in air that was produced by a tree and the tree "breathes" in air that was produced by your lungs.
I think we could already consider ourselves to be one organism.
Yes, yes, we are already, now and before we were born, the soil and air and tree. No need to become those.
In fact, we are ... already right now ... the metal and plastic and wood of our store bought casket, the water and waves of the burial at sea ... the hungry birds for a Tibetan sky burial ... the sky and fire of cremation. Now, then, ever so and ever was.
That being said, yes, funerals are so much about the hearts of the grieving family and friends. So, whatever speaks to them can be fine.
Also, a bio-degradable pot and seed seems nicer for the environment of this fragile planet than all that metal and plastic, or all that cremation smoke. Not a bad idea.
I spread my father's ashes in a beautiful mountain in Utah. As I was doing so, a gust of wind caused a change of direction where I was dispersing his ashes and some of them wound up in my lungs and stomach. I inhaled and ate my dad! :-[
As was mentioned, funerals are for those families left behind. And this, to me, is a beautiful way for those family and friends to stay connected to their love ones in a more organic fashion. Seeing a breathing living tree as opposed to a grave stone or ashes.
This is a wonderful idea I feel ... there are a couple funeral homes that I know of that also planet a tree in your honour when you pass. A beautiful expression. =)
As was mentioned, funerals are for those families left behind. And this, to me, is a beautiful way for those family and friends to stay connected to their love ones in a more organic fashion. Seeing a breathing living tree as opposed to a grave stone or ashes.
I agree with you. Sorry if I gave the impression of thinking otherwise.
I just wanted to show another perspective.
Just one thing I'd like to add.
IMHO it is also important to respect the last wish(es) of the one who died.
My parents have told me how they want things to be handled when they die, and I will respect their wishes.
Even if they wanted to have a Catholic funeral (which they don't) I'd accept it.
But I guess that's for each one to decide personally.
I will say now what I would like, just in case. No fancy Buddhist funeral for me with guys in funny hats and expensive flower arrangements.
I told my wife to take me to the cheapest local crematorium, put half my ashes in the back yard and half on Tsukuba Mountain.
I hope some of you guys, if around, would Chant the Heart Sutra, then sit a day of Zazen with people joining in all around the world.
Then, have a party, eat something, maybe have a drink (if one drinks, and only in moderation) ... and get on with life. Hang a photo of me someplace, but let the memory fade away with time.
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