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What Is The Relevance Of The Rites In A Buddhist Funeral

By Shiela Wong | February 17, 2010

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One of the most widely practised religions on earth, Buddhism derives its main principles from the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhism entails quest for the Ultimate Truth and also a spirit of compassion and true love for every creature.

Buddhist funeral rituals also rely on these fundamental tenets of the religion. After the death of a person 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. Prayers are made invoking the good energies of the deceased for his or her ultimate deliverance from this life cycle.

The funeral rites start with giving the deceased a traditional wash. Monks are invited to read out from religious scriptures, which are believed to give the deceased the correct guidance to achieve spiritual liberation. Then Buddha’s teachings that emphasize on the importance of kindness and concern are read out loud by the monks. Meanwhile, the deceased is prepared for the final rites. Friends and family usually keep some coins in the casket of the dead person. This is to pay for the deceased’s journey across the mythical River of Three Hells.

Then the casket is displayed to the family and friends to allow them to pay their final respects by putting it at the altar. Visitors are expected to pray for the deceased and the family and relatives give their condolences. The ceremony is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the monks. Once the chanting is complete, people bow at the altar to pay their last respects. The family members then thank the attendees for sharing their grief by giving them token gifts.

Once these rites are over, the family can decide to bury or cremate the body according to their family beliefs. In all, the rites aim to bring a sense of acceptance and peace to the grieving family while praying to promote the departed to a higher state of knowledge and enlightenment.

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