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Buddhism is one of the most widespread religions practised across the globe. The basic principles of the religion have been derived from the teachings of Lord Buddha. Buddhism entails quest for the Ultimate Truth as well as a sense of compassion and true love for every creature.
Buddhist funeral rituals are also based upon these basic principles of the religion. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, some rituals have to be followed in order to make sure that the departed soul rises to a higher stage in afterlife. The good energies of the deceased are evoked to pray and wish the best for the deceased's life cycle beyond this birth.
The first stage in funeral rites is that of giving a traditional wash to the body. The next stage involves presence of monks, who chant from religious texts and thereby help the soul in finding liberation. The monks read out those teachings of the Buddha that talk about the importance of practising compassion and kindness. In the meantime, the body is made ready for the last journey. The relatives normally place some coins in the casket of the deceased. This is believed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their final respects by putting it at the altar. Attendees are expected to pray for the dead person and the family and relatives give their condolences. Monks who carry out the rituals continue to chant the appropriate sutras. Once the chanting is over, people bow before the altar to pay their last respects. After the ceremony, the family members of the departed give out gifts to the visitors for sharing their grief.
Once these rites are over, the family can decide to bury or cremate the deceased according to their family customs. 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 directed towards elevating the status of the deceased in his life after death.
Buddhist funeral rituals are also based upon these basic principles of the religion. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, some rituals have to be followed in order to make sure that the departed soul rises to a higher stage in afterlife. The good energies of the deceased are evoked to pray and wish the best for the deceased's life cycle beyond this birth.
The first stage in funeral rites is that of giving a traditional wash to the body. The next stage involves presence of monks, who chant from religious texts and thereby help the soul in finding liberation. The monks read out those teachings of the Buddha that talk about the importance of practising compassion and kindness. In the meantime, the body is made ready for the last journey. The relatives normally place some coins in the casket of the deceased. This is believed to help the dead person cross the River of Three Hells to reach his ultimate destination.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their final respects by putting it at the altar. Attendees are expected to pray for the dead person and the family and relatives give their condolences. Monks who carry out the rituals continue to chant the appropriate sutras. Once the chanting is over, people bow before the altar to pay their last respects. After the ceremony, the family members of the departed give out gifts to the visitors for sharing their grief.
Once these rites are over, the family can decide to bury or cremate the deceased according to their family customs. 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 directed towards elevating the status of the deceased in his life after death.
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