In a Buddhist funeral, the followers of the faith are particular about performing detailed rites and ceremonies during the funeral service. The funeral ceremony, according to Buddhism, symbolizes the setting free of the deceased's soul, which was trapped in the futility of existence, and its quest for a new life after death.
In a typical Buddhist funeral, the deceased's body is cremated and Buddhist monks in the presence of the bereaved family carry out the funeral rites. The dormant positive energies are freed from the soul by the chanting of the correct sutras by monks who read from the holy scriptures. While the chanting continues, the deceased is prepared for the funeral service and for friends and relatives to bid a final adieu, so that there is no decay even if the cremation is delayed. After washing the body, it is placed in a casket with candles, bouquets, fragrant incense and a photograph of the deceased.
When the last rites are deferred to allow distant relatives to come for the last glimpse of the deceased, invited monks visit the house everyday to read and recite from the Buddhist religious book Abhidharma.
On the occasion of the funeral, Buddhist monks perform the final rituals and their chief gives a brief speech in tribute to the dead person focusing on his contributions in life and consoling the aggrieved relatives that death is inevitable. The Pansakula, an important ritual which is expected to carry blessings and positive energies to the departed's soul is done during the last stage of chanting while a white shroud is being wrapped around the casket.
Just before cremation, a family member or the nearest kin is requested to make a brief speech about the deceased. Following the cremation, a special meal is organized for the people gathered at 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 Tibet, Thailand, and China by the followers of the faith.
In a typical Buddhist funeral, the deceased's body is cremated and Buddhist monks in the presence of the bereaved family carry out the funeral rites. The dormant positive energies are freed from the soul by the chanting of the correct sutras by monks who read from the holy scriptures. While the chanting continues, the deceased is prepared for the funeral service and for friends and relatives to bid a final adieu, so that there is no decay even if the cremation is delayed. After washing the body, it is placed in a casket with candles, bouquets, fragrant incense and a photograph of the deceased.
When the last rites are deferred to allow distant relatives to come for the last glimpse of the deceased, invited monks visit the house everyday to read and recite from the Buddhist religious book Abhidharma.
On the occasion of the funeral, Buddhist monks perform the final rituals and their chief gives a brief speech in tribute to the dead person focusing on his contributions in life and consoling the aggrieved relatives that death is inevitable. The Pansakula, an important ritual which is expected to carry blessings and positive energies to the departed's soul is done during the last stage of chanting while a white shroud is being wrapped around the casket.
Just before cremation, a family member or the nearest kin is requested to make a brief speech about the deceased. Following the cremation, a special meal is organized for the people gathered at 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 Tibet, Thailand, and China by the followers of the faith.
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