The basic teachings of Lord Buddha form the crux of the Buddhist religion which is the main religion in many nations of the world today. The followers of Buddhism are expected to display boundless love for all and try to realize the Ultimate Truth.
These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rites practised in a Buddhist funeral. There are certain mandatory rites that have to be adhered to during the funeral of a dead person. These rites are aimed at ensuring that the deceased is elevated to a higher stage. Prayers are chanted invoking the good energies associated with the deceased for his or her ultimate deliverance from this cycle of life.
A traditional bath to the deceased marks the start of the Buddhist funeral rites. Then comes the stage of reading out from religious scriptures by the priests, thereby directing the soul to the path of spiritual freedom. The teachings of the Buddha, which speak of the value of practising virtue and compassion in daily life, are recited aloud. Meanwhile, the deceased is prepared for the final journey. Friends and family usually place some coins in the casket of the deceased person. This is to pay for the deceased's journey across the mythical River of Three Hells.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their respects by placing it at the altar. Visitors are required to pray for the deceased and the family and friends offer their condolences. The ceremony is accompanied with chanting of relevant sutras by the monks. Once the recital is complete, people bow before the altar to pay their final regards. The family members then thank the visitors for shouldering their sorrow by distributing gifts to them.
After these rituals are carried out, the deceased may then be either buried or cremated according to the beliefs of the family. These rituals are meant to allow the family to overcome their grief by offering prayers that will elevate the deceased to a higher stage of enlightenment and knowledge.
These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rites practised in a Buddhist funeral. There are certain mandatory rites that have to be adhered to during the funeral of a dead person. These rites are aimed at ensuring that the deceased is elevated to a higher stage. Prayers are chanted invoking the good energies associated with the deceased for his or her ultimate deliverance from this cycle of life.
A traditional bath to the deceased marks the start of the Buddhist funeral rites. Then comes the stage of reading out from religious scriptures by the priests, thereby directing the soul to the path of spiritual freedom. The teachings of the Buddha, which speak of the value of practising virtue and compassion in daily life, are recited aloud. Meanwhile, the deceased is prepared for the final journey. Friends and family usually place some coins in the casket of the deceased person. This is to pay for the deceased's journey across the mythical River of Three Hells.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their respects by placing it at the altar. Visitors are required to pray for the deceased and the family and friends offer their condolences. The ceremony is accompanied with chanting of relevant sutras by the monks. Once the recital is complete, people bow before the altar to pay their final regards. The family members then thank the visitors for shouldering their sorrow by distributing gifts to them.
After these rituals are carried out, the deceased may then be either buried or cremated according to the beliefs of the family. These rituals are meant to allow the family to overcome their grief by offering prayers that will elevate the deceased to a higher stage of enlightenment and knowledge.
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