A person's demise marks his or her transitions from this life to the next one; this is a precept of the Buddhist belief system. The death of an individual will remind those who are left behind about the impermanence of everything in life. The Buddhist funeral rites aim to share the message that the departed's transition to rebirth will be governed by the karmic forces at work.
When a family member passes away, a person does not become exempt from sorrow no matter what her or his religious belief is. The faith system of a person should be able to assist the individual in this time of mourning and also in coming to terms with the passing away of their loved one.
The basic teachings of Lord Buddha form the core of the Buddhist religion which is the main religion in several parts of the world today. Buddhism entails search for the Ultimate Truth as well as a sense of compassion and true love for every living being.
These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rituals practised in a Buddhist funeral. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be followed in order to make sure that the departed soul rises to a higher stage in afterlife. Prayers are chanted calling upon the positive energies of the deceased for his or her ultimate deliverance from this life cycle.
The funeral rituals start with giving the deceased a traditional ablution. After that comes the stage of chanting of religious texts by the monks, thereby guiding the soul to the path of spiritual freedom. The monks recite those sermons of Lord Buddha that talk about the importance of practising mercy and kindness. In the meantime, the body is prepared for the last journey. Friends and family members often keep some coins in the casket of the deceased person. This is supposed to help the deceased cross the River of Three Hells to reach his destination.
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 attendees pray for his soul. Monks who perform the rituals continue to chant the appropriate sutras. After the chanting is over, people attending 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.
Once these rituals are carried out, the body may then be either cremated or buried in accordance with the beliefs of the family members. These rites are meant to enable the family to overcome their sorrow by offering prayers that will elevate the deceased to a higher pedestal of enlightenment and knowledge.
When a family member passes away, a person does not become exempt from sorrow no matter what her or his religious belief is. The faith system of a person should be able to assist the individual in this time of mourning and also in coming to terms with the passing away of their loved one.
The basic teachings of Lord Buddha form the core of the Buddhist religion which is the main religion in several parts of the world today. Buddhism entails search for the Ultimate Truth as well as a sense of compassion and true love for every living being.
These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rituals practised in a Buddhist funeral. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, certain rites have to be followed in order to make sure that the departed soul rises to a higher stage in afterlife. Prayers are chanted calling upon the positive energies of the deceased for his or her ultimate deliverance from this life cycle.
The funeral rituals start with giving the deceased a traditional ablution. After that comes the stage of chanting of religious texts by the monks, thereby guiding the soul to the path of spiritual freedom. The monks recite those sermons of Lord Buddha that talk about the importance of practising mercy and kindness. In the meantime, the body is prepared for the last journey. Friends and family members often keep some coins in the casket of the deceased person. This is supposed to help the deceased cross the River of Three Hells to reach his destination.
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 attendees pray for his soul. Monks who perform the rituals continue to chant the appropriate sutras. After the chanting is over, people attending 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.
Once these rituals are carried out, the body may then be either cremated or buried in accordance with the beliefs of the family members. These rites are meant to enable the family to overcome their sorrow by offering prayers that will elevate the deceased to a higher pedestal of enlightenment and knowledge.
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Dealing with providers of caskets and funeral needs can be difficult for people who are closest to the deceased person. Tips on how to choose the appropriate funeral services for your deceased loved ones can be found in this website.
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