Buddhism is one of the most popular religions practised extensively across the globe. The basic 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 can be seen in the rites followed in a Buddhist Funeral. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be followed in order to ensure that the departed soul is elevated to a higher stage of life after death. Prayers are done invoking the goodness of the departed soul and wishes are made for a blissful life after death for the departed.
The funeral rituals begin with giving the dead person a traditional wash. Monks are invited to read out from religious scriptures, and these chants are believed to give the deceased the right guidance to achieve spiritual liberation. The teachings of Lord Buddha, which speak of the value of practising virtue and compassion in life, are read aloud. Meanwhile, the body is prepared for the final rituals. The relatives normally place some coins in the casket along with the deceased. This is for helping the dead person to pay and wade across the River of Three Hells.
The casket is then put before the altar in the house for friends and relatives to pay their final respects. The relatives and friends offer condolences to the deceased’s family, while the attendees pray for his soul. The priests carrying out the rites keep reciting the sutras along with the proceedings. After the chanting is over, people present at the ceremony bow at the altar. The family members then thank the attendees for sharing their grief by giving them token gifts.
Once these rites are completed, the family members can decide to cremate or bury the deceased according to their family customs. The different ceremonies are a means of bringing peace to the family members of the departed as they know their prayers are aimed at elevating the status of the deceased in his life after death.
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