VAJRAYANA LIFE-CYCLE RITES- Disposal of the ashes
After 3 days, there is the "washing-the-bones" piijii. The nali piijii is done ([for
which] one makes a bhasma ciiitya with the ashes) and the remaining ashes will
be thrown in the river. On the 5th day, 6th, 7th day, the remaining ashes are
thrown in the river, in stages. - The durgati pariSodhana ma.,<_lala (and other) customs
On the 6th day, the durgati ma!Jcjala is made and a piijii is done. The asti tiira!Ja
piijii's is also done and also the Aparimitii text is recited on the 5th, 6th and 7th
day. And again on the 7th day, the bone ash will be put inside a copper/brass
ciiitya and the ciiitya will be sealed after a piijii of establishment. Later it will be
thrown into the paiica firthas.
- Seventh day fritesj
Again on the 7th day behind the pikhii lukhu, a cooked rice meal ( dal and veg-
etables) is given. - Setting out cooked rice [beneath the eaves/
Again on the 7th day, in the night (after most people are asleep), up into the air
(from a window) a rice feast is presented and left. ([It is called] piikhiijii khiiye.) - Release from death pollution
And again all family relations will go together to the river and according to their
own [caste] rule will cut the hair, cut the nails, take a bath, wear new clothes and
take the paiicagavya and purify themselves.^69
While at the river, take iiti,^70 amba,^71 sesame, oil seed, kvo oil, etc. and all
who have lived in an impure state through [this] washing will become pure. - The beta/ nut rite and house repuri.fication
Vajracaryas [after] 7 days; for others, [after] 12 days: take beta! nut and leaf
together with a tooth stick, and then after and having taken betel sagaf!l, do the
homa karma and the house will be purified. - Ten 'pi., <.Ia' ritual
Vajracaryas on the 7th, others of the various castes on the lOth day do the
sriiddha of the ten pi!Jf/a etc. and the preta pi!Jcfa.
Why do the dasa pi!Jcfa? On the 1st day, pi!Jcfa is for the head; the second day
for the eye; the 3rd day for the nose; 4th for the ear ...