พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าการไปร่วมงานศพและรับประทานอาหารในงานไม่เป็นไร ขอเพียงจิตใจเป็นกุศลและมีสติ เพราะจิตอันเป็นกุศลจะคุ้มครองเรา หากรู้สึกว่าอันตรายก็จะยิ่งมีสติมากขึ้น และแม้ไม่รู้จักผู้ตายก็สามารถอุทิศส่วนบุญให้ได้Pra Ajarn explains that attending a funeral and eating the food served is fine, so long as one's mind is wholesome and mindful, because a wholesome mind protects us. Feeling that it may be dangerous only makes one more mindful — and even not knowing the deceased, one can dedicate merit to them.
Someone asked: at a funeral, should one not eat the food served, whether at the temple or the home — and why? If a funeral is held at home, should one not eat at all? What harm is there in eating?
Eating Is Fine, So Long as the Mind Is Wholesome and Mindful
The food served to the guests can be eaten without harm, so long as our mind is wholesome. When eating, be mindful in eating. What matters is that a wholesome mind protects us. Go to the funeral with — and with mindfulness, merit is gained too.
Feeling It May Be Dangerous Only Makes One More Mindful
If we think it may be dangerous and go with mindfulness, merit flows through us all the better. In every posture and act, the Triple Gem and nibbana overlay in our mind to make it radiant, overlaying to refine and help us. If we feel it's dangerous, we become all the more mindful — so it's a place worth going.
Even Not Knowing the Deceased, One Can Dedicate Merit
Even not knowing the deceased at the funeral, we can share merit proportionately. Radiating and dedicating merit already gains merit — it's a form of goodness, and merit arises.