阿嬤過世的同一天傍晚,我們回到七堵等著迎回靈位,客廳裡很熱鬧,孩子們奔跑玩耍著,感覺像是新年。
On the evening of Granny's departure, we returned to Chi-du to welcome her memorial tablet back. The living room was filled with my family members and children running around. It felt no different from our past Chinese New Year's gatherings.
靈位帶回家,阿嬤漂亮的照片被放在空空的牌桌上,還有鮮花素果,我們跟著法師念經,希望阿嬤能跟著佛祖走,孩子們也安安靜靜地跟著,這和我以前參加的喪禮都不一樣,溫暖且充滿祝福。
With the memorial tablet, Granny's beautiful photo, flowers and fruits, the altar looked lively. We followed the Taoist priest as he recited the Buddhist mantra to guide Granny's soul. The children behaved themselves and worshipped the Buddha figurines with us too. This funeral is very different from the ones I've been to before. Rather than terrifying, it is warm with our best wishes.
葬儀社人員幫每個人別上黃麻布,孩子們問為什麼,我們說:這樣阿祖在黑暗裡看到我們的小黃蝴蝶,才找得到回家的路。
The gentleman from the funeral parlor helped us pin a piece of jute cloth onto our arms. The kids asked why. We replied, "Granny will find her way home if she sees the yellow butterflies in the dark."
接下來我們開始折蓮花,孩子們也爭相要學,人手一張蓮花紙,雖然折得歪歪扭扭,卻沒有要停止的意思,四歲的小心心還帶了一整包回家折,於是我把孩子們的作品又打開重折,因為不能辜負他們的心意。
We went on to fold paper lotus for Granny to step on on her way to Heaven. The children were eager to learn. They each took a piece of paper with a lotus printed on it. Though their works were kind of slanted, nothing could discourage them. The four-year-old Xin even went home with a pack of paper to fold. Thus, not to dampen their spirits, I unfolded their finished works and refolded for them.
我參加好幾次喪禮了,可是好像這才是我真正學習的第一次,因為有很好的家人和孩子們,原本覺得麻煩的儀式現在對我來說,每一個細節都安慰著我的心。
I went to several funerals in my life, but this is the first time I really learn. In the company of my wonderful family and children, the rituals I used to believe irksome so comfort my heart this time.
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