Buddhist Funerals – Significance And Traditions

In a Buddhist funeral, the followers of the faith are particular about performing detailed rites and rituals during the funeral proceedings. The ceremonies performed during the Buddhist funeral are believed to liberate the deceased person’s soul from the chains of life and let it find a new and better life thereafter where it gets closer to enlightenment.

The Buddhist funeral services which conclude with cremation in most cases, are done by Buddhist monks with the help of the family. After a person has breathed his last, the monks chant from the holy verses which are expected to free the soul’s positive energies. To prevent any decay in case of a late cremation, the mortal remains are prepared carefully while the chanting is going on. The body is washed and put to rest in a coffin along with fragrance sticks, candles, flowers and a photo of the deceased person.

The Abhidharma, a holy Buddhist text is read daily by visiting monks during the funeral period even when the cremation is deferred to accommodate the visitors from far away places.

The Buddhist monks complete the last rites on the day of the funeral and the head monk delivers a speech mentioning the good deeds and actions carried out by the deceased and comforting the grieving family members and friends. The Pansakula, an important ritual that is expected to carry blessings and positive energies to the departed’s soul is carried out during the final chanting while a white cloth is being wrapped around the coffin.

Before the cremation takes place, a close member of the family is asked to say something about the departed individual. The Buddhist funeral services conclude with a light feast for the attendees immediately after the funeral.

Some alterations in the specific rituals may be found in different cultures, but these are the important ceremonies followed during a Buddhist funeral in many countries like China, Thailand, and Tibet by the followers of the religion.

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