法苑珠林 97.23

97.23

According to the Western Regions, there are four methods of burial: first, floating in water; second, burning with fire; third, burying in the earth; fourth, offering to the forest. The Mahīśāsaka-vinaya says: "When burning with fire, place it upon a stone; it must not be on grass or soil, for fear of harming insects." The Dharmaguptaka-vinaya says: "The Tathāgata and the cakravartin are both cremated with fire; for other people, all four methods are applicable, and among them many are buried." The Mahīśāsaka-vinaya says: "The corpse should be buried" (this refers to when royal law does not permit casting away the body, and moreover in summer one fears burning will kill insects; hence it orders burying it. Apart from this, where there are no difficulties, water and forest are also permissible). Furthermore, according to the Dharmaguptaka-vinaya and the Five Hundred Inquiries, it says: "If one sees a stupa or temple of the Tathāgata, or sees the burial stupas of ordained monastics of the five assemblies who are senior to oneself, one must successively pay homage to them according to the years since their ordination in life. If any laypeople see the burial stupas of ordained monastics, regardless of seniority, they must all pay respectful homage."