Sacred Buddhist Funeral Rites And Their Significances
Buddhism is practiced the world over, the essense of which is derived from the basic teachings of the Buddha. Buddhism demands mercy and love for man, as well as fruition of the Ultimate Truth.
Buddhist funerals show these practices of Buddhism. When a person in a Buddhist family passes away, there are certain mandatory rites to be followed, in order to make sure that the his or her soul gets promoted 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 dead person a traditional wash. Monks are asked to read out from religious text, which are believed to give the soul the right guidance to attain spiritual freedom. Then the Lord Buddha’s teachings that emphasize on the significance of kindness and concern are read out loud by the monks. Meanwhile, the body is made ready for the final journey. The relatives generally place some coins in the casket along with the deceased. This is believed to help the deceased cross the River of Three Hells to reach his destination.
Afterwards, the casket is exhibited to the near and dear ones to allow them to pay their respects by placing it at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, attendees are expected to pray for the deceased. The ceremony is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the priests. Once the recital is over, people bow at the altar to pay their final regards. After the ceremony, the family members of the deceased give out gifts to the visitors for sharing their grief.
Once these rites are over, the family members can decide to bury or cremate the deceased based on their family beliefs. These rites are meant to enable the family to overcome their sorrow by saying prayers that will raise the deceased to a higher stage of enlightenment and knowledge.
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