When mentioning the Buddha Columbarium many people might wonder: isn’t it just another term for a cemetery or public graveyard?

This is a rather narrow perspective. In fact, the so-called Buddha Columbarium refers to a sacred space used both for praying for blessings and dispelling misfortunes during one’s lifetime, and for housing ashes after passing away. Unlike traditional cemeteries, which are uniformly planned burial grounds, the Columbarium serves as a place where people express their yearning for beauty and pray for better fortune for themselves and their descendants.

The concept of the Buddha Columbarium originates from the human journey from life to death, giving rise to traditional prayer culture. This culture has deep roots in Chinese history, with detailed descriptions found in ancient texts such as the Book of Documents. Prayers are offered for five blessings: longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful passing. Since the last blessing involves “a peaceful end,” those who pray may be laid to rest in such sacred spaces, thereby passing blessings to their descendants.

Unlike cemeteries, which are often located in remote, gloomy suburbs, Buddha Columbariums are usually situated in historic temples or imperial-style structures. Here, ancestral tablets can be enshrined, and the deceased can rest in peace under the protection of Buddhist chanting. The opening and供奉 (offering) of these spaces also follow strict traditional customs.

Why House Ashes in Temples?

There has long been a tradition regarding the housing of ashes: emperors were laid in mausoleums, saints in pagodas, officials in tombs, and commoners in the ground.

Emperors treated the selection of their burial sites as a matter of utmost importance, often beginning construction of their mausoleums upon ascending the throne to ensure the stability of their reign. Saints, referring to highly respected individuals, could have their ashes housed in temple pagodas to bless their descendants. Officials, though ineligible for mausoleums or pagodas, could purchase burial plots. Commoners, with neither power nor influence, were simply buried in the ground.

It is clear that being “laid in a pagoda” was a burial treatment second only to that of emperors. Temples have always had the tradition of housing Columbarium spaces, where the ashes of the deceased rest alongside sacred relics of esteemed monks, bringing peace to the living and bliss to the departed. In places like Babaoshan, many well-known figures have chosen this form of ash housing, including Puyi, the last emperor of China; Li Zongren, acting president of the Nationalist government; and Chen Mingren, a high-ranking general recognized by both the Communist and Nationalist parties.

Today, temples often build underground prayer halls, continuing the Chinese tradition of “resting in peace underground, resting in honor in palaces.” In these underground Columbarium spaces, there is no worry about exposure to wind and rain. Instead, monks chant scriptures daily, offerings are made regularly, and the sound of Buddhist prayers fills the air. This practice, rooted in the philosophy of “harmony between humanity and nature,” carries forward the deepest blessings for both the departed and their descendants. The prayer culture represented by the Buddha Columbarium comforts generations of devout believers, blending religious faith with the Chinese culture of filial piety. It represents the essence of China’s cultural and spiritual beliefs.

The Columbarium Aligns with Modern Funeral Trends and Reforms

As urban land becomes increasingly scarce, the price of cemeteries and public graveyards has soared. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, the cost of a grave plot has even surpassed that of real estate. At the same time, traditional cemeteries have been criticized for environmental pollution.

In contrast, the Buddha Columbarium aligns with the modern concept of “honoring the living with simplicity and the departed with respect.” It saves land resources, is clean and environmentally friendly, and leads funeral trends with advanced management models. Against the backdrop of national funeral reforms, it has become an inevitable trend. In regions such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, as well as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Guangdong in China, the practice of housing ashes in Columbarium spaces has already gained popularity.

The Life of Most Chinese People:

• Ages 0–10: Forced to learn various extracurricular skills and take exams, mostly to meet parental expectations.

• Ages 10–20: Buried under piles of books, overwhelmed by endless exams.

• Ages 20–30: Frantically sending out resumes, anxious about finding a job.

• Ages 30–40: Becoming slaves to mortgages and car loans.

• Ages 40–50: Worrying about their children’s future, saving money by cutting corners.

• Ages 50–60: Finally starting to enjoy life, only to realize retirement is near and worrying about what comes next.

• Ages 60–70: Spending most of their energy on health preservation, only to find themselves caring for grandchildren.

• Ages 70–80: Finally settling down to enjoy their twilight years.

• At life’s end: Discovering that even a grave plot is outrageously expensive!

The Significance of the Buddha Columbarium

The Buddha Columbarium is a perfect blend of Buddhist culture, traditional culture, filial piety culture, ancestral hall culture, and funeral culture. In today’s prosperous era, temples are opening underground prayer halls, keeping pace with the times, compassionately bestowing blessings, and providing accessible ways to enlighten all beings. The aim is to promote Buddhist teachings and pass on the value of filial piety.

Practicing Buddhism begins with filial piety, and a peaceful passing is the ultimate act of respect for one’s parents. Being housed in a temple alongside Buddha and Bodhisattvas is an honor once reserved for emperors, generals, and revered monks. It not only protects the family but also blesses future generations...

Choosing Temple Housing After Passing:

1. Protection from wind, rain, trampling by animals, and neglect due to relocation or abandonment.

2. Freedom from worries about one’s final resting place, allowing peace of mind in later years.

3. Reducing the financial burden on children and eliminating the difficulty of traveling long distances for visits.

4. Praying for the five blessings during one’s lifetime, enhancing longevity and fortune.

5. Being received by Amitabha Buddha upon passing, escaping the cycle of reincarnation, and reaching the Western Pure Land.

Once a prayer space is donated, it is owned for life, with a inscribed tablet ensuring the name remains for millennia. One sacred space, two purposes: the Buddha Columbarium is not only a place for prayer but also for remembrance, worship, and传承 (passing on traditions).

As the saying goes, “Medicine cannot cure an incurable disease, but Buddha enlightens those destined for it.” Donating to the construction of a temple is an act of great merit, believed to bring wealth, accumulate blessings, and ensure family health. Every brick, every tile, carries a prayer and a wish. May countless kind wishes come together, sharing compassion and fulfilling Bodhisattva’s vows.

The merits of contributing to a temple will extend far and wide, bringing endless benefits... We solemnly invite devotees and Buddhists to awaken their Bodhicitta, donate for the construction of temple spaces, and plant seeds of blessing for themselves and their families.

Sales Manager: Mr. Luo
HuaHeng Columbarium Factory Jiangxi, China