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What Is The Relevance Of The Rituals In A Buddhist Funeral

The basic teachings of the Buddha form the crux of the Buddhist religion which is practised extensively in several nations of the world today. Buddhism calls for compassion and universal love for all creatures and awareness of the Ultimate Truth.

These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rites followed in a Buddhist funeral. There are certain mandatory rites that have to be followed during the funeral of a dead person. These rites are meant to ensure that the departed soul is raised to a higher stage. Prayers are chanted calling upon the positive energies associated with the dead person for his or her deliverance from this life cycle.

The funeral rites begin with giving the dead person a traditional ablution. After that comes the stage of chanting of religious scriptures by the monks, thereby guiding the soul to the path of spiritual freedom. Then Buddha’s teachings that highlight the significance of kindness and compassion are read out loud by the monks. Meanwhile, the body is made ready for the final rites. The deceased is normally provided with some coins put in his casket by the family members. This is for enabling the dead person to pay and go across the River of Three Hells.

The casket is then placed before the altar in the house for the loved ones to pay their respects. Attendees are expected to pray for the dead person and the family and friends give their condolences. The monks performing the ritual keep chanting the sutras along with the proceedings. Everyone present have to bow before the altar when this recital is over. As the visitors begin leaving, the family members give a gift to each other to show gratitude for partaking in their sorrow.

The family members can decide upon whether to cremate the body or bury it according to their familial customs, once all these essential rituals are completed. The rites and rituals are a way of bringing peace to the family of the deceased as they know their prayers are directed towards elevating the status of the deceased in his after life.

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