Buddhist Funeral Rituals And Their Significances
The primary teachings of the Buddha form the core of the Buddhist religion which is practiced in many countries in the world today. Mercy & love for people and acknowledgement of the Ultimate truth are required in Buddhism.
Buddhist funerals show these practices of Buddhism. When a Buddhist person passes, to make sure that his or her soul gets to a higher level in the next life, mandatory rites should be observed. Prayers are used to invoke the good energies of the deceased, ensuring his or her deliverance from this life and wishing them the best for their next life.
The funeral rites start with giving the dead person a traditional ablution. The second stage entails presence of monks, who chant from religious scriptures and thereby help the deceased in finding liberation. Then Buddha's teachings that highlight the importance of kindness and concern are read out loud by the monks. Meanwhile, the deceased is prepared for the final rites. The deceased is generally offered with some money placed in his casket by the family members. This is for helping the dead person to pay and go across the River of Three Hells.
Then the friends and family come and pay their last respects to the deceased as the casket is placed at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, visitors are expected to pray for the deceased. The priests carrying out the ritual keep chanting the sutras as the proceedings move on. Once the recital is complete, people bow at the altar to pay their final regards. The family members then thank the attendees for sharing their sorrow by distributing gifts to them.
After these rituals are carried out, the body may then be either buried or cremated in accordance with the beliefs of the family members. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the people left behind while praying to promote the departed to a higher stage of knowledge and realization.
Buddhist funerals show these practices of Buddhism. When a Buddhist person passes, to make sure that his or her soul gets to a higher level in the next life, mandatory rites should be observed. Prayers are used to invoke the good energies of the deceased, ensuring his or her deliverance from this life and wishing them the best for their next life.
The funeral rites start with giving the dead person a traditional ablution. The second stage entails presence of monks, who chant from religious scriptures and thereby help the deceased in finding liberation. Then Buddha's teachings that highlight the importance of kindness and concern are read out loud by the monks. Meanwhile, the deceased is prepared for the final rites. The deceased is generally offered with some money placed in his casket by the family members. This is for helping the dead person to pay and go across the River of Three Hells.
Then the friends and family come and pay their last respects to the deceased as the casket is placed at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, visitors are expected to pray for the deceased. The priests carrying out the ritual keep chanting the sutras as the proceedings move on. Once the recital is complete, people bow at the altar to pay their final regards. The family members then thank the attendees for sharing their sorrow by distributing gifts to them.
After these rituals are carried out, the body may then be either buried or cremated in accordance with the beliefs of the family members. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the people left behind while praying to promote the departed to a higher stage of knowledge and realization.
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