Buddhism is one of the most popular religions practised extensively across the world. The basic tenets of the religion are based on the teachings of Lord Buddha. Buddhism entails search for the Ultimate Truth as well as a spirit of compassion and genuine love for every creature.
These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rituals practised during a Buddhist funeral. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, some rituals have to be practised in order to ensure that the deceased's soul rises to a higher stage in afterlife. Prayers are made invoking the positive energies associated with the dead person for his or her deliverance from this cycle of life.
A traditional bath to the deceased marks the start of the Buddhist funeral rites. The next stage involves invitation of monks, who chant from religious texts and thereby help the deceased in finding eternity. Then Buddha's teachings that highlight the importance of kindness and concern are recited aloud by the monks. Meanwhile, the body is prepared for the final journey. Friends and family often keep some money in the casket of the dead person. This is for enabling the dead person to pay and go across the River of Three Hells.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their respects by placing it at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, visitors are expected to offer prayers for the deceased. The proceeding is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the monks. Everyone present have to bow at the altar when this chanting is over. After the proceedings, the family members of the departed distribute gifts to the attendees for sharing their sorrow.
The family can decide upon whether to cremate the body or bury it as per their familial customs, once all these essential rituals are over. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the bereaved family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher stage of knowledge and realization.
These main tenets of Buddhism are reflected in the rituals practised during a Buddhist funeral. After a person dies in a Buddhist family, some rituals have to be practised in order to ensure that the deceased's soul rises to a higher stage in afterlife. Prayers are made invoking the positive energies associated with the dead person for his or her deliverance from this cycle of life.
A traditional bath to the deceased marks the start of the Buddhist funeral rites. The next stage involves invitation of monks, who chant from religious texts and thereby help the deceased in finding eternity. Then Buddha's teachings that highlight the importance of kindness and concern are recited aloud by the monks. Meanwhile, the body is prepared for the final journey. Friends and family often keep some money in the casket of the dead person. This is for enabling the dead person to pay and go across the River of Three Hells.
Then the casket is exhibited to the family and friends to allow them to pay their respects by placing it at the altar. While friends and relatives offer condolences, visitors are expected to offer prayers for the deceased. The proceeding is accompanied with recitation of relevant sutras by the monks. Everyone present have to bow at the altar when this chanting is over. After the proceedings, the family members of the departed distribute gifts to the attendees for sharing their sorrow.
The family can decide upon whether to cremate the body or bury it as per their familial customs, once all these essential rituals are over. In all, the rituals try to bring a sense of peace and acceptance to the bereaved family while praying in order to elevate the dead to a higher stage of knowledge and realization.
About the Author:
Find out more about the best company that provides high quality Buddhist funeral and Christian funeral. This and other unique content '' articles are available with free reprint rights.
Posts
1 comment:
Margolis office furniture also does fitted office furniture and the interior design
Post a Comment