Folding Paper Lotus and Ingots
Why fold lotus flowers and paper ingots for the deceased? By Yuandan Trinley Dorje Rinpoche
Burning lotus flowers and paper ingots for a deceased person has special significance.
The significance of folding lotus flowers is that before sentient beings are enlightened, all they see is a folded lotus flower. In fact, the lotus flower is folded from paper with special symbols printed on it. These sincerely folded lotus flowers will emit light after being blessed. When burned for the deceased, they will make the deceased feel joy and sit on the lotus platform.
However, if the deceased did not practice diligently or their mental focus was not strong enough, this joy will gradually diminish. Therefore, during the forty-nine days following the passing of the deceased, lotus flowers should be burned frequently, or on every seven-day period, to help them experience Dharma joy, establish a connection with the pure Buddhist community, and plant the seed for learning Buddhism in their next life. In this way, the blessed lotus flowers greatly help the deceased, establishing a Bodhi karmic connection for them. After their reincarnation, they will be able to hear the Dharma and maintain a connection with Buddhism for all eternity.
The significance of folding ingots is that ingots symbolize merit and resources. After special blessing, they can benefit the deceased in another world, becoming a guarantee for their well-being. Furthermore, the karmic connection planted by this will allow them to practice in Buddhism in their next life, accumulating merit and resources to make generous donations and fulfill this wish.
Sometimes we sprinkle seven-colored or five-colored rice for the deceased, and they receive it. This rice is actually a blessed nectar-like medicine, while the deceased and other beings in the intermediate state (bardo) see the five-colored food. After consuming it, these beings are relieved of their hunger and suffering by this nectar-like medicine. Thus, they are filled with Dharma joy, and the rice becomes a meritorious resource, inspiring faith in the Dharma and the practice, and cultivating an indestructible Vajra mind towards the Dharma.
We burn lotus flowers and paper money for the deceased, and they will certainly receive them; but what they receive is not merely simple blessings or the use of gold and silver treasures. Most importantly, it guides them from conventional truth to ultimate truth. Sentient beings exist in different life forms. When the soul leaves the body, there will be vengeful spirits—the so-called karmic creditors—who will cause trouble. At this time, they need the help of practitioners, relatives, or chanting groups. Rinpoche pointed out that performing Buddhist rituals helps the deceased fulfill their karmic connections in this life, and learning Buddhism is about gaining wisdom to understand cause and effect, and karmic conditions.