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There is significant scholarly debate about the Taoist understanding of death. The process of death itself is described as ''shijie'' or "release from the corpse", but what happens after is described variously as transformation, immortality or ascension to heaven. For example, the Yellow Emperor was said to have ascended directly to heaven in plain sight, while the thaumaturge Ye Fashan was said to have transformed into a sword and then into a column of smoke which rose to heaven. Religious Taoism holds that the body is filled with spirits and monsters, and prescribes a number of rituals that must be performed so that these spirits are able to guard the body.〔 When the spirits leave the body then there is nothing to protect it from illness so it weakens and dies.〔 Taoism is also known for people believing that there is eternal life. In Taoism when one dies if they need to be contacted it is done so through meditation by an alchemist.〔Blofeld,''Taoism:Road to Immortality'',Shamahala Publications,1978,p 35.〕 In Taoism death is seen as just another phase in life, something that must happen and that we must all accept. People believe if they do what they have to do and are supposed to do then when they die they will be granted immortality.〔Blofeld,''Taoism:Road to Immortality'',Shamahala Publications,1978,p 186.〕 ==Funeral ceremonies== Taoist ceremonies for the dead often include an altar upon which are placed a sacred lamp, two candles, tea, rice, and water. The sacred lamp symbolizes the light of wisdom, yet it could also be referred to as the Golden Pill or Elixir of Immortality. On each side of the lamp are two tall candles that symbolize the light of the sun, moon, and both eyes of the human body. The tea, rice and water are put in cups in front of the altar. The tea symbolizes yin, water is the energy of the yang, and rice represents the union of the yin and the yang. Five plates of fruit are used to symbolize the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These elements are further equated with specific colors: green, red, yellow, white, and black. These elements all go in a cycle that when balanced ensure that the body is healthy. An incense burner is placed in the middle of the five elements. The burning of the incense represents refinement and purification of the soul, also known as the inner energies.〔 The ceremony usually takes place in a person’s house and is held over an odd number of days, usually three, five or seven days.〔Blofeld,''Taoism:Road to Immortality'',Shamahala Publications,1978,p 25.〕 The candle is lit up for the body all that time before burial. During the vigil and the funeral the relatives wear white.〔http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/44/4401015.pdf.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Taoism and death」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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