Dhamma Talk compilation for John Rogers' Cremation service
Channel: Insight
Date: 2014-01-22

The Dhamma Talk/Chanting/Music compilation we put together for our Buddhist friend's Cremation Service at Kingston Crematorium on 21st January 2014.

Credits

Funeral Chanting: Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, UK.
http://www.amaravati.org/teachings/audio

Dhamma Talk extracts from: "Buddhist Attitude to Death and Life" by Ajahn Brahm (Ajahn Brahmavamso Mahathera) given on 23rd May 2003, Bodhinyana Forest Monastery, Australia. 
The full talk is available at: http://www.dhammaloka.org.au/downloads/item/268-buddhist-attitude-to-death-and-life.html .

Song: "Life Never Dies" Victor Wee, The Wayfarers, Malaysia. Sung by The Wayfarers, 1993.

Special thanks and gratitude to:
- the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
- San Wong from the Buddhist Society of Western Australia for permission to use Ajahn Brahm's talk and introducing us to the beautiful Buddhist song used. www.bswa.org 
- Datuk Dr. Victor Wee, Leader of Wayfarers, for permission to use the song "Life Never Dies". http://www.bgf.org.my/
- David Webb for organising the Cremation Service.
- The Kagyu Samye Dzong Buddhists for their wonderful chanting during the ceremony.
- All those who took part and made the day so memorable.
- John Rogers for the kindness and humanity he showed throughout his life.
- Anyone else we have forgotten!

Life Never Dies (Sung by The Wayfarers)

Life never dies, although we live. 
In midst of change and death, 
Only the forms shall pass away. 
And not the spirit's breath. 

The consciousness can never die. 
Although it seems to fade. 
It doth but pass to other forms. 
Which thoughts and acts have made.

"There is no death" all nature cries. 
The rose will reappear. 
Its petal will more perfect be. 
After the winter drear. 

The tiny bird that lifeless falls.
A victim to its prey. 
Returns again in higher forms. 
Upon its upward way. 

From life to life more high and free 
The myriads forms evolve 
O may we learn to know the truth 
This mighty riddle solve.