Buddhism is one of the most popular religions practised across the globe. The basic tenets of the religion are based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism entails search for the Ultimate Truth as well as a sense of compassion and genuine love for every creature.
Buddhist funeral rites are also based upon these basic tenets of the religion. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be practised in order to ensure that the departed soul is elevated to a higher stage in afterlife. Prayers are made invoking the good energies of the deceased for his or her deliverance from this cycle of life.
A traditional ablution of the deceased marks the beginning of the Buddhist funeral rituals. The second stage involves invitation of monks, who read out religious scriptures and thereby help the deceased in finding liberation. The teachings of the Buddha, which speak of the value of practising virtue and compassion in daily life, are read aloud. Meanwhile, the deceased is made ready for the final rites. Friends and family members usually keep some money in the casket of the dead person. This is believed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their respects by putting it at the altar. The relatives and friends give condolences to the deceased's family, while the visitors pray for his soul. Monks who perform the rites continue to chant the appropriate sutras. Everyone present have to bow at the altar when this chanting is over. After the ceremony, the family members of the deceased distribute gifts to the visitors for sharing their grief.
The family can decide upon whether to cremate the body or bury it as per their familial customs, once all these important rituals are over. These rituals are meant to enable the family to alleviate their sorrow by offering prayers that will raise the deceased to a higher stage of enlightenment and knowledge.
Buddhist funeral rites are also based upon these basic tenets of the religion. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be practised in order to ensure that the departed soul is elevated to a higher stage in afterlife. Prayers are made invoking the good energies of the deceased for his or her deliverance from this cycle of life.
A traditional ablution of the deceased marks the beginning of the Buddhist funeral rituals. The second stage involves invitation of monks, who read out religious scriptures and thereby help the deceased in finding liberation. The teachings of the Buddha, which speak of the value of practising virtue and compassion in daily life, are read aloud. Meanwhile, the deceased is made ready for the final rites. Friends and family members usually keep some money in the casket of the dead person. This is believed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their respects by putting it at the altar. The relatives and friends give condolences to the deceased's family, while the visitors pray for his soul. Monks who perform the rites continue to chant the appropriate sutras. Everyone present have to bow at the altar when this chanting is over. After the ceremony, the family members of the deceased distribute gifts to the visitors for sharing their grief.
The family can decide upon whether to cremate the body or bury it as per their familial customs, once all these important rituals are over. These rituals are meant to enable the family to alleviate their sorrow by offering prayers that will raise the deceased to a higher stage of enlightenment and knowledge.
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