Buddhism is practiced the world over, the essense of which is taken from the fundamental teachings of the Buddha. Mercy and love for mankind and realization of the Ultimate truth are required in Buddhism.
These Buddhist teachings are apparent in the rites seen in a Buddhist funeral. When a Buddhist person dies, to make sure that his soul gets to a higher level in the next life, mandatory rituals should be observed. To guarantee the deliverance of the deceased from this life and wishing them the best for his next, prayers are done to invoke the positive energies of the dead.
A traditional bath to the deceased marks the beginning of the Buddhist funeral rites. Then comes the stage of chanting of religious texts by the monks, thereby directing the soul to the path of spiritual freedom. Then the Lord Buddha's teachings that highlight the importance of kindness and compassion are read out loud by the monks. Meanwhile, the deceased is made ready for the final rites. The deceased is then provided with some money put in his casket by the family members. This is to enable the dead person cross the River of Three Hells.
The casket is then put before the altar in the house for friends and relatives to pay their respects. While friends and relatives offer condolences, attendees are expected to offer prayers for the dead person. The ceremony is accompanied with chanting of relevant sutras by the priests. After the completion of recitals, people present at the ceremony bow at the altar. The family members then thank the attendees for shouldering their grief by giving them token gifts.
After these rituals are carried out, the deceased may then be either buried or cremated in accordance with the beliefs of the family. The rites and rituals are a means of bringing peace and acceptance to the family members of the departed as they know their prayers are aimed at elevating the status of the departed in his after life. - 42913
These Buddhist teachings are apparent in the rites seen in a Buddhist funeral. When a Buddhist person dies, to make sure that his soul gets to a higher level in the next life, mandatory rituals should be observed. To guarantee the deliverance of the deceased from this life and wishing them the best for his next, prayers are done to invoke the positive energies of the dead.
A traditional bath to the deceased marks the beginning of the Buddhist funeral rites. Then comes the stage of chanting of religious texts by the monks, thereby directing the soul to the path of spiritual freedom. Then the Lord Buddha's teachings that highlight the importance of kindness and compassion are read out loud by the monks. Meanwhile, the deceased is made ready for the final rites. The deceased is then provided with some money put in his casket by the family members. This is to enable the dead person cross the River of Three Hells.
The casket is then put before the altar in the house for friends and relatives to pay their respects. While friends and relatives offer condolences, attendees are expected to offer prayers for the dead person. The ceremony is accompanied with chanting of relevant sutras by the priests. After the completion of recitals, people present at the ceremony bow at the altar. The family members then thank the attendees for shouldering their grief by giving them token gifts.
After these rituals are carried out, the deceased may then be either buried or cremated in accordance with the beliefs of the family. The rites and rituals are a means of bringing peace and acceptance to the family members of the departed as they know their prayers are aimed at elevating the status of the departed in his after life. - 42913
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