The Importance Of Rituals In A Buddhist’s Funeral
The core of Buddhist religion, practiced in many nations the world over, comes from the basic teachings of the Buddha. Mercy and love for humanity and acknowledgment of the Ultimate truth are essential in Buddhism.
These Buddhist traditions are apparent in the rites seen in a Buddhist funeral. When a person in a Buddhist family passes, 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. To guarantee the deceased's deliverance from this life and bidding them the best for their next life, prayers are done to invoke the good energies of the dead.
A traditional bath to the deceased marks the start of the Buddhist funeral rituals. Buddhist monks are invited to read out from religious text, which are thought to give the deceased the correct guidance to attain 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 rites. The relatives usually place some coins in the casket of the deceased. This is believed to help the deceased cross the River of Three Hells to reach his destination.
The casket is then put before the altar at home for friends and relatives to pay their respects. While friends and relatives give condolences, visitors are expected to offer prayers for the deceased. The monks carrying out the rites keep chanting the sutras as the proceedings move on. Everyone present have to bow before the altar when this chanting is over. After the proceedings, the family members of the departed distribute gifts to the attendees for sharing their grief.
Once these rites are completed, the family can decide to cremate or bury the body according to their family customs. The different ceremonies are a way of bringing peace to the family members of the departed as they know their prayers are directed towards elevating the status of the departed in his life after death.
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