Funeral Ceremony – Eulogy Speaker – This is my life, dying is my gain. I want to surrender to everything!
As your eulogy speaker, Zen Master Reding of Honora Zen Monastery gracefully leads you through the funeral service.
Eulogy Speaker - Zen Master Reding
Ah, how fleeting, ah, how futile is human life! As a fog soon arises and soon disappears again, so is our life, see. Ah, how trifling, ah, how fleeting are people's days! As a river begins to flow and running does not stop within, so our time drives away. Ah, how fleeting, ah, how futile is man's joy! As hours and times change, light and dark, peace and strife, so are our merriment.
Ah, how trifling, ah, how fleeting is man's beauty! As a little flower soon withers when a rough breeze blows, so is our beauty, see. Ah, how fleeting, ah, how futile is human happiness! How a ball turns, standing now here, now there, so is our happiness, see. Ah, how trifling, ah, how fleeting are human treasures! There can be embers and floods, so before we know it, everything has to go to pieces.
Ah, how fleeting, ah, how insignificant is man's splendor! He who is lofty in purple as seated like a god is forgotten in death. Ah, how trivial, ah, how fleeting are people's things! Everything, everything we see must fall and perish. Those who fear God will stand forever.
Prayer and Meditation at the Funeral Service
This is my life, dying is my gain. I want to surrender to everything, I'll leave with joy. I have now overcome the cross, suffering, fear and need, am reconciled with God. When my strength breaks, my breath runs out heavily and I can no longer speak a word; Father hear my sighs. When my heart and mind melt like a light that shakes to and fro as its flame breaks.
Then let me fall asleep gently and quietly, o Lord, according to your advice and will, when my little hour comes. In you let me live and remain forever, so one day you will give me heaven's delight and joy.