REPAIRING OR RELOCATING THE BURIAL SITES OF ANCESTORS

Metaphysics Q&A 130 – Repairing or relocating the burial sites of ancestors

2012-04-16
Q130: Hi Master Lu, the burial sites of our ancestors have been severely damaged since we have not maintained them for years. We would like to repair or relocate them. What should we do?

A130:

Generally, it is best not to relocate burial sites. You can repair the headstones instead.
Before you begin the repairing work, you can say the following prayer, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, so that my deceased relatives will not be upset. On <the date> I will repair the headstone, please protect and bless me.” Before you visit the burial site and commence the repairs, you can recite the following (repeat the above prayer before you recite):
Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance (Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen) 49 times;
Great Compassion Mantra (Ta Pei Chou) 7 times;
Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching) 7 times;
Jvala Mahaugra Dharani (Hsiao Tsai Chi Hsiang Shen Chou) 49 times;
Cintamani Cakravartin Dharani (Ju Yi Pao Lun Wang To Lo Ni) 49 times;
7 Little Houses for the “Karmic Creditor of <your full name>”. It is recommended that you recite and burn these 7 Little Houses before you visit the burial site.
If you have no choice but to relocate the burial site, generally it is better to do so in the morning on a sunny day. You should recite 21 Little Houses and address them to <full name of the deceased>. You can burn them beforehand or on the day of the relocation.
On the day of relocation, you can offer 3 incense sticks at the old burial site, followed by the burning of the Little Houses (if you have not already done so beforehand). Then you can relocate the burial site. During the process of relocation at the original site, you can continuously recite the Great Compassion Mantra and the Heart Sutra (you should not recite the Heart Sutra at the burial site if you have not made the incense offering). While you recite the Great Compassion Mantra, you must not have any disrespectful or defensive thoughts. It is best to empty your mind.
On the way from the old burial site to the new burial site, you should only recite the Great Compassion Mantra.
Once you have arrived at the new burial site, you can first offer 3 incense sticks, followed by reciting the Great Compassion Mantra and the Heart Sutra continuously. Then you can perform the burial service.