Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Buddhist Funeral Rites And Their Significances

By Ping Parks

The core of Buddhist religion, practiced in many nations the world over, comes from the basic teachings of Lord Buddha. This religion demands mercy and love for humankind, as well as recognition of the Ultimate Truth.

These Buddhist teachings are apparent in the rites seen in a Buddhist funeral. When a Buddhist person passes, in order to guarantee that his soul gets to a higher level in the next life, mandatory rituals should be followed. To ensure the deliverance of the deceased from this birth and bidding them the best for his next, prayers are offered to invoke the positive energies of the dead.

The first task in funeral rituals involves giving the body a traditional bath. Buddhist monks read out from religious text, and these chants are thought to give the deceased the correct guidance to achieve spiritual liberation. The monks read out sermons of the Buddha that talk about the importance of practising mercy and kindness. In the meantime, the body is prepared for the final journey. Relatives generally keep some money in the casket along with the deceased. This is believed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his destination.

The casket is then put before the altar at home for the loved ones to pay their final respects. While friends and relatives give condolences, attendees are expected to pray for the deceased. The priests carrying out the ritual keep chanting the sutras along with the proceedings. The attendees present have to bow at the altar when this recital is completed. As the visitors start leaving, the family members present a gift to each other to display gratitude for partaking in their sorrow.

The family can decide whether to cremate the body or bury it as per their familial customs, once all these essential rituals are completed. In all, the rituals aim to bring a sense of acceptance and peace to the bereaved family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher stage of knowledge and realization. - 42569

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