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The Rite Of Letting Go And Funeral Rites In The Buddhist Custom
Author : Cindy Smith
Submitted : 2012-02-22 03:58:22 Word Count : 484 Popularity: Not Rated
Tags: Funerals, funerals directors, best funerals in Singapore, funeral services, best funeral services in Singapore, christian funeral, funerals, funeral in Singapore
The passing away of a person, in Buddhist tradition, signifies his or her transition from this life to the next. The death of an individual will remind those who are left behind about the impermanence of everything in life. The Buddhist funeral rites wish to share the message that the departed's transition to rebirth will depend on the karmic forces at work.
No matter what religious affiliation a person belongs to, he or she cannot escape the deep sorrow when a loved one dies. The faith system in which a person belongs to can offer a rite of letting go in order to help those who are left behind to be able to accept a loved one's death.
One of the most widespread religions on earth, Buddhism derives its main principles from the preaching of Lord Buddha. Buddhism involves search 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 fundamental tenets of the religion. When death occurs in a Buddhist family, there are some main rituals which are followed with the objective of ensuring that the deceased's soul can soar to an elevated level. The good energies of the dead are evoked to pray and wish the best for the deceased's life cycle beyond this birth.
The funeral rituals begin with giving the deceased a traditional ablution. The second stage entails presence of monks, who chant from religious texts and thereby aid the deceased in finding eternity. The monks read out those sermons of the Buddha that talk about the significance of practising compassion and kindness. In the meantime, the body is prepared for the last journey. Friends and family usually keep some coins in the casket of the dead person. This is done to pay for the deceased's journey across the mythical River of Three Hells.
Then the casket is displayed to the near and dear ones to enable them to pay their respects by placing it at the altar. The relatives and friends give condolences to the deceased's family, while the visitors pray for his soul. The monks carrying out the rites keep reciting the sutras along with the proceedings. Once the chanting is complete, people bow before the altar to pay their last respects. As the visitors begin leaving, the family members give a gift to each other to display gratitude for sharing their sorrow.
The family can decide upon whether to bury the body or cremate it according to their family beliefs, once all these important rituals are over. The different ceremonies are a way of bringing peace and acceptance to the family members of the deceased as they know their prayers are aimed at elevating the status of the deceased in his life after death.
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