Garry Shandling Will Be Ordained As a Monk In Buddhist Funeral Service

By Derek Welch --
03 Apr 2016 --

By Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/ (Image e-mailed from author to uploader) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Long-time Buddhist comedian Garry Shandling will become a monk during his Buddhist funeral service next month.

The famous Larry Sanders Show star Garry Shandling will be given a Buddhist funeral service where he will be ordained as a monk.

Garry Shandling Will Be Ordained As a Monk In Buddhist Funeral Service[/tweetthis]

He succumbed to death last week after a sudden heart attack at his home in Los Angeles. Sources from TMZ indicated that Garry had already planned for an elaborate service prior to his death and as a result, he will be “symbolically shaved” by a monk. The devout Buddhist will also be dressed in casual clothes during his ordination ceremony while the mourners light incense guided by the monk in chants as they give Garry’s spirit send off to the next life.

Shandling had previously declared himself as a Buddhist in various interviews where he considered himself a “serious student of Dharma” which is a fundamental concept in the Buddhist religion. It is not yet confirmed whether his body will be buried or cremated, but sources indicated that he will be given his last respect with a card showing the “Five Precepts of Buddha.” His funeral service is planned to take place next month which will be accompanied by 49 days mourning according to the Buddhist practice.

Garry Shandling accompanied the famous Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh during his public lecture at the Library of Congress in 2004. He made his introductory remarks during the ceremony with Zen together with his usual comic flair. Speaking to the audience which comprised of religious leaders and dignitaries, he said: “You’re probably wondering why I’m here.”

To climax his speech, he said “First of all, humor is a wonderful way to deal with our suffering, because if we can laugh at our troubles, we can feel better. Thich Nhat Hanh is a special man who has helped millions with their suffering with incredible technique. But he doesn’t know real suffering because he has not dated as much as I have.”

Thousands of people sent their tribute after the sudden death of this legendary comedian. Garry Shandling, who has never married, died at the age of 66 and an official investigation into his death has been commenced, and it will be released by the Los Angeles County Coroner.