Tag Archives: Buddhism

Why Do We Wear Black Funeral Attire Versus White?

A look at the religious and cultural meanings behind the colors of funeral attire

For many Americans, black seems to be the most common color to wear as funeral attire. Why is that? And why do some religious and cultural groups tend to wear white to funerals? Much of the color choice within religious … Continue reading

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Embracing Death with the Jain Ritual of Santhara

A look at the spiritually liberating Jain ritual of fasting to death at the end of life

For most of us, learning to embrace death is the most difficult challenge of our lives. We all die, whether we want to or not. Many of us may find out more about ourselves in our final moments than we … Continue reading

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What is a Chaplain? An Interview with David Franzblau

David Franzblau talks about Chaplains and how they help those who are terminally ill.

Today, SevenPonds speaks with David Franzblau, a Chaplain currently working at Seton Medical Center in Daly City, California. He will answer a few of our questions about being a chaplain and will offer some tips that anyone can do. Gabriella: … Continue reading

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”the Tibetan Book of the Dead” edited by John Baldock

Editor W.Y. Evans-Wentz's famous translation offers a Buddhist perspective of the end-of-life experience, or the Art of Dying

“The Art of Dying is quite as important as the Art of Living,” writes editor W.Y. Evans-Wentz in his preface to The Tibetan Book of the Dead. An ancient Buddhist text, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, or the Bardo … Continue reading

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Funeral Rites in the Buddhist Tradition

Exploring the ways Buddhists embrace death

Buddhists take a positive stance when it comes to death: the best way to approach it is without fear.  On Buddhanet, you can find an abundance of information focusing on the beliefs about death and dying in the Tibetan Buddhist … Continue reading

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Taking the Time to Say Goodbye: Vietnamese Funeral Customs

Traditional Vietnamese culture allows plenty of time for the grieving and burial process

We often anticipate the emotional and physical energy the death of a loved one will require from us, but seldom do we stop to think about the time it will demand from us as well; there is the time it … Continue reading

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