Buddhism is one of the most widespread religions practised extensively across the globe. The main principles of the religion are based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism teaches mercy and love for mankind and awareness of the Ultimate Truth.
These main tenets of Buddhism are evident in the rites followed in a Buddhist Funeral. There are certain compulsory rituals that need to be adhered to during the funeral of a deceased person. These rites are meant to ensure that the deceased is raised to a higher stage. The good energies of the deceased are invoked to pray and wish the best for the deceased's next life beyond this birth.
The funeral rituals begin with giving the deceased a traditional ablution. Monks are invited to chant different religious scriptures, and these chants are believed to give the soul the correct guidance to attain spiritual freedom. The teachings of the Buddha, which speak of the value of goodness and compassion in life, are read aloud. The body is meanwhile made ready for the final rituals. Friends and family members usually place some money in the casket of the deceased person. This is for enabling the dead person to pay and go across the River of Three Hells.
Then the friends and relatives come and pay their last respects to the dead person as the casket is placed at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, visitors are expected to pray for the dead person. The ceremony is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the monks. After the chanting is over, people present at the ceremony bow at the altar. The family members then thank the visitors for sharing their grief by giving them token gifts.
After these rituals are carried out, the deceased may then be either cremated or buried in accordance with the beliefs of the family members. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the grieving family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher stage of knowledge and realization. - 29954
These main tenets of Buddhism are evident in the rites followed in a Buddhist Funeral. There are certain compulsory rituals that need to be adhered to during the funeral of a deceased person. These rites are meant to ensure that the deceased is raised to a higher stage. The good energies of the deceased are invoked to pray and wish the best for the deceased's next life beyond this birth.
The funeral rituals begin with giving the deceased a traditional ablution. Monks are invited to chant different religious scriptures, and these chants are believed to give the soul the correct guidance to attain spiritual freedom. The teachings of the Buddha, which speak of the value of goodness and compassion in life, are read aloud. The body is meanwhile made ready for the final rituals. Friends and family members usually place some money in the casket of the deceased person. This is for enabling the dead person to pay and go across the River of Three Hells.
Then the friends and relatives come and pay their last respects to the dead person as the casket is placed at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, visitors are expected to pray for the dead person. The ceremony is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the monks. After the chanting is over, people present at the ceremony bow at the altar. The family members then thank the visitors for sharing their grief by giving them token gifts.
After these rituals are carried out, the deceased may then be either cremated or buried in accordance with the beliefs of the family members. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the grieving family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher stage of knowledge and realization. - 29954
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