Buddhist Funeral Customs And Their Importance
The core of Buddhist religion, practiced in many countries the world over, comes from the basic teachings of the Buddha. This religion requires mercy & love for man and recognition of the Ultimate Truth.
Buddhist funerals show these practices of Buddhism. When Buddhist person passes, there are certain mandatory rites to be followed, in order to make sure that the dead's soul gets elevated in the next life. Prayers are used to invoke the positive energies of the deceased, ensuring his or her deliverance from this life and wishing them the best for their next life.
The funeral rituals start with giving the deceased a traditional wash. The second stage entails invitation of monks, who chant from religious scriptures and thereby aid the soul in finding liberation. The monks recite those sermons of Lord Buddha that speak of the importance of practising mercy and kindness. Meanwhile, the deceased is made ready for the final journey. The deceased is usually provided with some money put in his casket by the family. This is supposed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
The casket is then placed before the altar in the house for friends and relatives to pay their final respects. While friends and relatives give condolences, visitors are expected to pray for the dead person. The ceremony is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the priests. The attendees present have to bow before the altar when this recital is completed. After the ceremony, the family members of the deceased give out gifts to the visitors for sharing their grief.
The family members can decide upon whether to bury the body or cremate it as per their family beliefs, once all these essential rituals are over. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of acceptance and peace to the grieving family while praying to promote the departed to a higher stage of knowledge and enlightenment.
Buddhist funerals show these practices of Buddhism. When Buddhist person passes, there are certain mandatory rites to be followed, in order to make sure that the dead's soul gets elevated in the next life. Prayers are used to invoke the positive energies of the deceased, ensuring his or her deliverance from this life and wishing them the best for their next life.
The funeral rituals start with giving the deceased a traditional wash. The second stage entails invitation of monks, who chant from religious scriptures and thereby aid the soul in finding liberation. The monks recite those sermons of Lord Buddha that speak of the importance of practising mercy and kindness. Meanwhile, the deceased is made ready for the final journey. The deceased is usually provided with some money put in his casket by the family. This is supposed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
The casket is then placed before the altar in the house for friends and relatives to pay their final respects. While friends and relatives give condolences, visitors are expected to pray for the dead person. The ceremony is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the priests. The attendees present have to bow before the altar when this recital is completed. After the ceremony, the family members of the deceased give out gifts to the visitors for sharing their grief.
The family members can decide upon whether to bury the body or cremate it as per their family beliefs, once all these essential rituals are over. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of acceptance and peace to the grieving family while praying to promote the departed to a higher stage of knowledge and enlightenment.
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