Every one has a name and
this name is associated only with our body, and is believed that once we die we
leave it behind with the dead body.
Right
from the day of death till the 49th day various types of rituals are performed
for the deceased. To dedicate the merit the deceased spiritual name is called.
Further,
from day one to the 21st as per meal timing a variety of foods are offered to
the deceased.
After
recitation of certain prayer by Lama and on his instruction family members
gathered nearby the displayed food offering and call the deceased name to offer
the food to him.
One
person will draw the knife and crisscross over the food (this is done to chase
harmful spirits that prevent him to take food) and then whole audience and the
family members will call his/her name and offer the foods.
Now here
if you call his/her name, it has no meaning. He/she doesn’t get the food that is
offered and is not benefited to the deceased. So spiritual name is a must to
complete his/her rites, rituals and food offerings.
Generally
one receive choeming (spiritual name) the name with which we will be known
after death, during the Thri ceremony usually conducted by His Holiness
the Je Khenpo and other Rinpoches.
Since, it
is very difficult for everyone to attend Thri, we can also get our spiritual
name from His Holiness the Je Khenpo, Rinpoches and other high lamas
directly.
I got my
spiritual name from his Holiness the Je Khenpo after receiving Baza Guru Lung
in 1999.
(My spiritual
name received from HH the Je Khenpo)
(My spiritual
name received from HH the Je Khenpo)
So have your spiritual
name obtained and let your family members know it.
Kindly
note that you should not disclose your spiritual name to everybody otherwise it
indirectly becomes your body name again.
