What Is The Relevance Of The Rites In A Buddhist Funeral
One of the most widely practised religions in the world, Buddhism derives its fundamental principles from the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhism calls for mercy and love for mankind and awareness of the Ultimate Truth.
These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rites followed during a Buddhist funeral. There are certain compulsory rituals that have to be adhered to during the funeral of a dead person. These rites are meant to ensure that the deceased is elevated to a higher stage. Prayers are chanted invoking the positive energies of the dead person for his or her ultimate deliverance from this cycle of life.
The first task in funeral rites is that of giving the body a traditional wash. Monks are invited to read out from religious scriptures, which are believed to give the deceased the right guidance to achieve spiritual freedom. The monks read out those sermons of the Buddha that talk about the significance of practising compassion and kindness. In the meantime, the body is made ready for the last journey. Friends and family usually place some money in the casket of the deceased person. This is supposed to help the deceased cross the River of Three Hells to reach his destination.
Then the casket is displayed to the near and dear ones to enable them to pay their respects by putting it at the altar. The relatives and friends offer condolences to the dead person’s family, while the visitors pray for his soul. Monks who carry out the rituals continue to chant the appropriate sutras. Everyone present have to bow at the altar when this recital is over. The family members then thank the attendees for sharing their grief by distributing gifts to them.
Once these rites are over, the family can decide to cremate or bury the deceased based on their family customs. In all, the rites aim to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the bereaved family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher stage of knowledge and enlightenment.
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