Charnel ground

A charnel ground (Skt. śmāśāna; T. dur khrod དུར་ཁྲོད་) is an above-ground site for the putrefaction of bodies, where formerly living tissue is left to decompose uncovered. Although it may have demarcated locations within it functionally identified as burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoria, it is distinct from these as well as from crypts or burial vaults.

Charnel grounds are important locations for ritual activity in the Indo-Tibetan traditions, particularly for the practices of Chöd, Phowa and Zhitro.

Further reading:

• Charnel ground (Wikipedia)