Do those who have attained Buddhahood (those who have returned to heaven) also need to be memorialized during Higan and Obon? 【True Stories from the Spiritual World】

When we talk about ancestor memorial services, there is a significant distinction between those who have attained Buddhahood (those who have returned to heaven) and those who have fallen into hell.

In the case of returning to heaven, it means that they have successfully completed their training in this world and graduated. Death is, in a sense, a graduation ceremony from this world, and going to the afterlife is like an entrance ceremony.

In that sense, death is actually a joyous occasion, and the living should say to those who have returned to heaven, 'Congratulations on successfully completing your training.'

Furthermore, one should say, 'We, your descendants, take pride in you. We will continue to strive and make efforts following your example, so please guide us. Also, to repay your kindness and virtue, we would like to express our gratitude to you every year during the Obon and Higan seasons. Please accept this feeling.'

Since we have received various blessings from our ancestors, starting with having a physical body, it is important to express gratitude properly once or twice a year.

It is not necessary to do this every day, but remembering and expressing gratitude once or twice a year makes those ancestors who have returned to heaven happy.

Being thanked with 'Thank you' by descendants signifies that the ancestors had virtue. In the afterlife, friends around them might say, 'You are very cherished by your descendants. You must have had a lot of virtue in your lifetime,' which is also a source of joy for those in the afterlife. Additionally, when friends or acquaintances pass away, they are also pleased when the living remember them.

Conversely, not being memorialized by anyone means they have been abandoned by their relatives or descendants, or that they were disliked by many during their lifetime. The willingness of the living to memorialize them indicates that the person had some virtue.

In short, there is no need for the living to provide salvation to those who have returned to heaven, so we should pray for their success in the afterlife and also pray, 'Please guide us from time to time.'

References：'Correct Memorial Services, Incorrect Memorial Services' open_in_new

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