The Mt. Adams Buddhist Temple memorial area is well underway and will consist of a peaceful fenced area with a columbarium and memorials to many friends of the temple. This area will serve as a place to contemplate the Sangha who have folded back into the infinite as well as to contemplate impermanence. It is in our acceptance of impermanence that softens the fear of the unknown, as life is multifaceted, including birth and death. And there is no birth and death as we arise from the infinite, and we return to the infinite. Nothing is created or destroyed.
Our Venerable teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh shared many profound words on impermanence. These were Thich Nhat Hanh’s Instructions for the Continuation:
“Please do not build a stupa for me. Please do not put my ashes in a vase, lock me inside, and limit who I am. I know this will be difficult for some of you. If you must build a stupa though, please make sure that you put a sign on it that says, ‘I am not in here.’ In addition, you can also put another sign that says, ‘I am not out there either,’ and a third sign that says, ‘If I am anywhere, it is in your mindful breathing and in your peaceful steps.’”
And our revered teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha’s, final words are reported to be:
“All compounded things in the world are changeable.
They are not lasting.
Work hard to gain your own liberation.
Practice diligently.”