Trees of Eternity: A Study of Pīpala and Matsu in Indian and Japanese Death Beliefs

Indian and Japanese cultures have revered trees since ancient times, correlating them with their physical characteristics of fertility and growth and the spiritual symbolism of eternity, spiritual protection, and even the afterlife. The current paper explores the symbolic significance of trees in Indian and Japanese death beliefs, with a special emphasis on the Pīpala tree in India and the Matsu in Japan. According to Indian traditions, the Pīpala tree has long been believed to connect the earthly and divine realms, which has served as a site of meditation for sages who have attained enlightenment under the shade of this tree. Beyond that, the same tree also symbolizes several Hindu deities. Consequently, it is frequently associated with reincarnation and the life and death cycle. Similarly, in Japan, the Matsu tree symbolizes longevity and is commonly planted in cemeteries to protect the spirits of the deceased. The current study employs a comparative ethnographic approach: that illuminates the religious, mythological, and ritualistic customs that highlight the similar yet unique ways these trees influence their people’s conceptions of life and death.