The fundamental teachings of the Buddha form the core of the Buddhist religion which is practised extensively in many nations of the world today. Buddhism calls for compassion and love for mankind and realization of the Ultimate Truth.
Buddhist funeral rites also rely on these basic tenets of the religion. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be followed in order to make sure that the deceased's soul is elevated to a higher stage of life after death. The good energies of the dead are evoked to pray and wish the best for the dead person's next life beyond this birth.
The first task in funeral rites is that of giving the body a traditional wash. The next stage involves presence of monks, who read out religious scriptures and thereby aid the deceased in finding eternity. The teachings of Lord Buddha, which speak of the value of goodness and compassion in life, are read aloud. Meanwhile, the body is made ready for the final rites. The relatives normally keep some coins in the casket of the deceased. This is done to pay for the dead person's journey across the River of Three Hells.
Then the friends and family pay their last respects to the dead person as the casket is placed at the altar. The relatives and friends offer condolences to the dead person's family, while the visitors pray for his soul. The monks performing the ritual keep reciting the sutras as the proceedings move on. After the chanting is over, people attending the ceremony bow at the altar. As the visitors start leaving, the family members present a gift to each other to display gratitude for partaking in their sorrow.
The family members can decide upon whether to bury the body or cremate it according to their familial customs, once all these essential rituals are completed. In all, the rites try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the grieving family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher state of knowledge and realization. - 42629
Buddhist funeral rites also rely on these basic tenets of the religion. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be followed in order to make sure that the deceased's soul is elevated to a higher stage of life after death. The good energies of the dead are evoked to pray and wish the best for the dead person's next life beyond this birth.
The first task in funeral rites is that of giving the body a traditional wash. The next stage involves presence of monks, who read out religious scriptures and thereby aid the deceased in finding eternity. The teachings of Lord Buddha, which speak of the value of goodness and compassion in life, are read aloud. Meanwhile, the body is made ready for the final rites. The relatives normally keep some coins in the casket of the deceased. This is done to pay for the dead person's journey across the River of Three Hells.
Then the friends and family pay their last respects to the dead person as the casket is placed at the altar. The relatives and friends offer condolences to the dead person's family, while the visitors pray for his soul. The monks performing the ritual keep reciting the sutras as the proceedings move on. After the chanting is over, people attending the ceremony bow at the altar. As the visitors start leaving, the family members present a gift to each other to display gratitude for partaking in their sorrow.
The family members can decide upon whether to bury the body or cremate it according to their familial customs, once all these essential rituals are completed. In all, the rites try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the grieving family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher state of knowledge and realization. - 42629
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