Buddhism is certainly one of the oldest religions in the world with experts tracing its roots or initial stages some 2500 years ago. Presently, Buddhism ranks as the fourth biggest religion in the world with the number of adherents totalling 350 million. Unlike numerous religions, Buddhism isn't focused on a person's relationship with a god but rather man's quest for spiritual enlightenment or a deeper understanding of life.
This religion, however, is no different from other religions in that it also has its own sets of beliefs and practices when it comes to matters like deaths. Below are some of the various interesting funeral practices and traditions observed by the various schools of Buddhism.
In most Buddhist schools, it is believed that the proper way to dispose of a body via cremation. This practice symbolises the release of the soul of the deceased individual from bondage. Moreover, it is believed to prevent attachment to the dead, an act that can prevent the soul of the departed from seeking new life.
Buddhist tradition encourages family members to personally clean and dress the body of their deceased loved one. The reason behind this is to ensure that the body is treated with respect and handled with the greatest care.
These days, though, with the presence of funeral companies well-aware of Buddhist funeral customs and traditions, some families, especially those in Singapore, entrust these tasks to their chosen Funeral services Singapore provider. Basically, what the deceased individual's family does is sit down with the funeral director Singapore memorial company has and discuss what they like to happen. From there, the funeral director leads the organisation of the funeral.
In the Theravada tradition, on funeral day, a white cloth, also known as a Mataka Vastra, is draped on the coffin by monks. Relatives also partake in blessing their deceased by pouring water from a tiny jug into a dish. This tradition, which is called Pansakula, is believed to be an act of transferring merit to the departed. After the cremation, alms-giving happens in the funeral home where pumpkin, believed to be excellent for the mourning heart, and salted fish, said to replenish lost salts in the body due to crying, are served.
The different schools of Buddhism may have differences in conducting funeral rites. What's unmistakable, however, is that these different schools remain faithful to Buddhism's teaching of simplicity. Leaders of these schools remind their followers to value solemnity instead of extravagance when organising funerals.
This religion, however, is no different from other religions in that it also has its own sets of beliefs and practices when it comes to matters like deaths. Below are some of the various interesting funeral practices and traditions observed by the various schools of Buddhism.
In most Buddhist schools, it is believed that the proper way to dispose of a body via cremation. This practice symbolises the release of the soul of the deceased individual from bondage. Moreover, it is believed to prevent attachment to the dead, an act that can prevent the soul of the departed from seeking new life.
Buddhist tradition encourages family members to personally clean and dress the body of their deceased loved one. The reason behind this is to ensure that the body is treated with respect and handled with the greatest care.
These days, though, with the presence of funeral companies well-aware of Buddhist funeral customs and traditions, some families, especially those in Singapore, entrust these tasks to their chosen Funeral services Singapore provider. Basically, what the deceased individual's family does is sit down with the funeral director Singapore memorial company has and discuss what they like to happen. From there, the funeral director leads the organisation of the funeral.
In the Theravada tradition, on funeral day, a white cloth, also known as a Mataka Vastra, is draped on the coffin by monks. Relatives also partake in blessing their deceased by pouring water from a tiny jug into a dish. This tradition, which is called Pansakula, is believed to be an act of transferring merit to the departed. After the cremation, alms-giving happens in the funeral home where pumpkin, believed to be excellent for the mourning heart, and salted fish, said to replenish lost salts in the body due to crying, are served.
The different schools of Buddhism may have differences in conducting funeral rites. What's unmistakable, however, is that these different schools remain faithful to Buddhism's teaching of simplicity. Leaders of these schools remind their followers to value solemnity instead of extravagance when organising funerals.
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