The customary Chinese services are not really Ch'an practices. They are considered expedient methods. The dead person may not have practiced much while alive, so his or her relations perform a service and make offerings to transfer the merit to his or her spirit. Is this useful? Of course It has certain benefit, but it is only a remedial method.

When we were in India a while back, I asked a Hindu practitioner, "Do Hindus believe that after a person dies his friends and relatives can perform a service that will send him to a better place?"

The person replied, "In general we do believe such things, but this is not really in accordance with the principle of karma."

Many people need such ideas because they feel helpless in the face of death. Someone dear to them dies and they can't do a thing; they may feel great sorrow and regret. To believe that some service can be of benefit to the deceased makes them feel better.

I asked this Hindu: "If your father or mother passed away, would you perform a service for them?"

He replied, "Yes, definitely. I choose to believe that it is useful."

STUDENT:

It seems the services are more for the living than for the dead.

SHIH-FU: