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

This is actually a very limited view. A Buddha Columbarium refers to a sacred space used during one’s lifetime for praying for blessings and warding off misfortunes, and after passing away, it serves as a resting place for cremated remains. The biggest difference from a public cemetery is that a Buddha Columbarium is not a uniformly planned burial site for ancestors. Instead, it is a blessed space that embodies people’s aspirations for a better life and serves as a place to pray for good fortune for both oneself and future generations.

The concept of the Buddha Columbarium originates from the human journey from life to death, giving rise to the traditional culture of praying for blessings. This culture has a long history in China. For instance, the Book of Documents·Hong Fan contains detailed explanations about praying for blessings. Prayers are offered for the “Five Blessings”—longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful death. Because the last blessing is “a peaceful end,” those who prayed can be laid to rest in such blessed spaces after death, thereby passing blessings on to their descendants.

Buddha Columbaria are often located in historic temples or imperial-style mausoleums, 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 blessed spaces also follow strict traditional customs.

Why are ashes enshrined in temples?
This tradition of enshrining ashes dates back to ancient times: emperors were laid to rest in mausoleums, sages in pagodas, officials in tombs, and commoners were buried in the ground.

Emperors considered selecting a mausoleum site a top priority, beginning their search for a geomantically auspicious location with beautiful scenery as soon as they ascended the throne, believing it would ensure the stability of their dynasty. Sages, referring to highly respected individuals, could have their ashes enshrined in temple pagodas after death, ensuring prosperity for their descendants. Officials in ancient times, though ineligible for mausoleums or pagodas, could purchase burial plots. Commoners, with neither power nor influence, could only be buried in the ground.

It is evident that “enshrinement in a pagoda” was a funeral treatment second only to that of emperors. Temples have a long tradition of housing Columbarium spaces, accompanied by sacred relics of esteemed Buddhist monks, bringing peace and auspiciousness to the living and aiding the deceased in attaining liberation.

At Babaoshan, in addition to the well-known public cemetery, many prominent figures have chosen Columbarium spaces for their ashes. These include Puyi, the last emperor of China; Li Zongren, Acting President of the Nationalist Government; and Chen Mingren, a general respected by both the Communist and Nationalist parties.

Today, some temples with the necessary conditions have built underground palace Columbarium spaces, continuing the Chinese tradition of “burying the deceased in the ground for peace, enshrining them in palaces for honor.”

In these underground palace Columbarium spaces, there is no worry about exposure to wind and rain. Monks chant scriptures daily to guide the souls, incense is offered continuously, and the sound of Buddhist prayers resonates at all times. Embracing the philosophical idea of “harmony between heaven and humanity, returning to nature,” these spaces carry forward the most heartfelt blessings for both the departed and their descendants.

The culture of praying for blessings, represented by the Buddha 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 beliefs.

Why Can a Buddha Columbarium Replace Traditional Cemeteries?

As urban land becomes increasingly scarce, the price of cemeteries and graveyards has skyrocketed. In first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, the cost of a grave plot has even surpassed that of residential real estate. At the same time, traditional cemeteries have also faced criticism for causing environmental pollution.

Compared to cemeteries, Buddha Columbaria align with the modern concept of “providing generous support for the living and simple funerals for the deceased.” They save land resources, are clean and environmentally friendly, and represent an advanced management model that leads the trend in funeral practices. Against the backdrop of national funeral reforms, they have become an increasingly popular choice.

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

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

From the perspective of traditional Feng Shui, the bustling crowds and abundant incense offerings in temples bring vibrant energy, making the Feng Shui of these places particularly auspicious. This is especially true for temples with long histories, whereas the Feng Shui of cemeteries is often less assured.

For these reasons, Buddha Columbaria may gradually replace traditional cemeteries as a new form of laying the deceased to rest.

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