Buddhist Funeral Customs And Their Importance
The Buddhist religion is practiced the world over, the core of which is taken from the primary teachings of Lord Buddha. Buddhism involves mercy and love for humankind and fruition of the Ultimate Truth.
Buddhist funerals show these essentals of Buddhism. Certain mandatory rituals should be followed once a person in a Buddhist family passes away, to make sure that their soul gets elevated to a higher level in their next life. To make sure the deceased’s deliverance from this birth and wishing them the best for their next life, prayers are offered to invoke the good energies of the dead.
The funeral rituals start with giving the deceased a traditional wash. Buddhist monks read out from religious text, which are thought to give the soul the correct guidance to gain spiritual freedom. The teachings of the Buddha, which talk of the value of practising virtue and compassion in life, are read aloud. In the meantime, the body is prepared for the last journey. Friends and family usually place some money in the casket of the deceased person. This is supposed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
After which, the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to let them to pay their final respects by placing it at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, attendees are expected to offer prayers for the deceased. Monks who carry out the rituals continue to recite the appropriate sutras. The attendees present have to bow at the altar when this chanting is over. The family members then thank the visitors for shouldering their sorrow by giving them token gifts.
The family members can decide upon whether to cremate the body or bury it according to their family beliefs, once all these essential rituals are over. These rites are meant to enable the family to alleviate their sorrow by saying prayers that will elevate the deceased to a higher state of enlightenment and knowledge.
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