When many people hear the term “Buddha Columbarium,” they might think: Isn’t that just another kind of cemetery or graveyard?

This is actually a very limited view. A Buddha Columbarium refers to a place used for prayer and blessing during one’s lifetime, and for housing cremated ashes after passing away. The biggest difference from a public cemetery is that a Columbarium is not a uniformly planned burial site for the deceased. Instead, it is a sacred space that embodies people’s aspirations for happiness and serves as a place to pray for good fortune for both themselves and their descendants.

The concept of the Columbarium originates from the human journey from life to death, giving rise to traditional blessing cultures. This culture has deep roots in Chinese history, with detailed explanations found in ancient texts such as the Book of Documents. Prayers are offered for the “Five Blessings”—longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful death. Because the final blessing is “a peaceful end,” those who have received these blessings may be laid to rest in such sacred spaces, thereby passing blessings on to their descendants.

Buddha Columbariums are often located in historic temples or imperial-style structures, where ancestral tablets can be placed. Under the protection of Buddhist chants, these spaces become resting places for the departed. The opening and consecration of such sites follow strict traditional customs.

Why place cremated remains in temples?
This practice is rooted in ancient traditions: Emperors were laid in grand mausoleums, sages were placed in pagodas, high-ranking officials were buried in tombs, and commoners were simply interred in the ground.

Emperors considered selecting a mausoleum site a top priority, beginning their search for a location with excellent feng shui as soon as they ascended the throne, to ensure the stability of their dynasty. Sages— individuals of great virtue and respect—could have their ashes enshrined in temple pagodas after death, ensuring prosperity for their descendants. High-ranking officials, though ineligible for mausoleums or pagodas, could purchase burial plots. Ordinary people, without power or influence, were typically buried in the ground.

It’s clear that being “enshrined in a pagoda” was a burial treatment second only to that of an emperor. Temples have a long tradition of housing Columbarium spaces, accompanied by sacred relics of esteemed monks, bringing peace and吉祥 to the living and aiding the deceased in attaining enlightenment.

At places like Babaoshan, in addition to public cemeteries, many notable figures have chosen Columbarium spaces for their remains. These include Puyi, the last emperor of China; Li Zongren, Acting President of the Republic of China; and Chen Mingren, a high-ranking general recognized by both the Communist and Nationalist parties.

Today, some temples with the necessary resources have built underground palace Columbarium sites, continuing the Chinese tradition of “returning to the earth for peace, entering the palace for honor.”

In an Underground Palace Buddha Columbarium, remains are protected from the elements, while monks chant scriptures daily to guide the souls. Incense is offered continuously, and the sound of Buddhist prayers fills the air, embodying the philosophy of “harmony between heaven and humanity, returning to nature,” and carrying forward the most sincere blessings for both the departed and their descendants.

The culture of blessings represented by the Columbarium has comforted generations of devout believers. It blends religious faith with the Chinese culture of filial piety, representing the essence of the nation’s cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Why can a Buddha Columbarium replace a traditional cemetery?
As urban land becomes increasingly scarce, the price of cemeteries and graveyards has risen sharply. In first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, the cost of a cemetery plot has even surpassed that of housing. At the same time, traditional cemeteries often face criticism for environmental pollution.

In contrast, a Buddha Columbarium aligns with the modern concept of “honoring the elderly during their life and keeping funerals simple.” It saves land, is clean and environmentally friendly, and represents an advanced management model in the funeral industry. Under China’s funeral reform policies, it has become an increasingly popular trend.

In Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, as well as in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Guangdong in China, the practice of using Columbarium spaces has already become widespread.

Moreover, the cost of a permanent Columbarium space is far lower than that of a cemetery plot with a 20-year lease.

From a traditional feng shui perspective, temples—often crowded with worshippers and abundant incense—carry strong positive energy. The longer the history of the temple, the better the feng shui symbolism. The same cannot always be said for cemeteries.

For all these reasons, the Buddha Columbarium may become a new form of resting place for the departed, gradually replacing traditional cemeteries.