The Importance Of Buddhist Funeral Rites
Buddhism is one of the most widespread religions practised extensively across the globe. The basic principles of the religion are based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism entails quest for the Ultimate Truth and also a sense of compassion and genuine love for every living being.
These fundamentals of Buddhism are evident in the rituals practised during a Buddhist funeral. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be practised in order to make sure that the deceased’s soul is elevated to a higher stage in afterlife. Prayers are chanted invoking the positive energies of the dead person for his or her deliverance from this cycle of life.
The first task in funeral rites is that of giving the body a traditional wash. Buddhist monks read out from religious scriptures, which are believed to give the deceased the correct guidance to attain spiritual freedom. The teachings of the Buddha, which speak of the value of practising virtue and compassion in daily life, are recited aloud. The body is meanwhile made ready for the final rituals. The deceased is usually provided with some money put in his casket by the family members. This is believed to help the deceased cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
Then the friends and family come and pay their last respects to the deceased as the casket is put at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, visitors are expected to pray for the dead person. Monks who carry out the rites continue to recite the appropriate sutras. After the completion of recitals, people present at the ceremony bow at the altar. After the ceremony, the family members of the departed give out gifts to the attendees for sharing their grief.
The family members can decide upon whether to cremate the body or bury it as per their family beliefs, once all these important rituals are over. The rites and rituals are a means of bringing peace and acceptance to the family of the deceased as they know their prayers are aimed at elevating the status of the departed in his life after death.
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