Buddhist Funerals Buddhist Funeral Service
The awareness that we pass from this world to someplace else plays and important role in Buddhism. Buddhists believe that people are reborn over and over until they are ready for nirvana.
Funeral rites tend to be elaborate, including various recited sutras (verses or poems) that focus on the impermanence of life. Every Buddist hopes that, in death, they'll have completed the life cycle and will never be reborn again. Therefore, in many ways, death points to a higher existence. It also leaves the surviving family and friends wondering whether another rebirth is in the offing.
As a result of this uncertainty, the purpose of many of the rituals surrounding death is to help the deceased get to nirvana, or obtain release from the cycle of death and rebirth: in Tibetan Buddhism, for example, the lama (a spiritual leader) whispers into the ear of the dead to help him or her on the journey to the afterlife.
A lama or yogin usually comes to the dying person's home and reads from the Bardo Thodol (the Tibetan Book of the Dead). For up to four days after the person's death, the lama returns to read from the book, in the presence of the dead body. After four days, the body is taken away, but the lama may return for up to 49 days.
During this period, Tibetan Buddhists believe that the dead person tries to resolve karma problems by struggling with the demons in their life. These demons are projections of the many faces or experiences of the self that the person had lived previously. If the person is successful, they will become one with the Western Paradise of Amitabha.
Buddhism Dress Etiquette
Wearing black or dark colors is not required. But it is appropriate to wear conservative clothing. The color red is frowned upon at funerals.
If the funeral service takes place in the Temple, it is required to remove your footwear. Make sure this is an easy task and if you are wearing socks that they are presentable. The funeral dress of the family is usually white because it is the colour for grieving. The family will sit at the front of the room and accept condolences from those in attendance. Those attending the funeral service are required to pay their condolences to the deceased and the family prior to the service at the funeral home.
During the funeral service a family member will initiate the service by offering a eulogy and present a life history about the deceased. Chanting sacred words will then take place. First a direct family member will ignite the incense and make a ritualistic offering.
Theravadins Buddhist follow the Indian custom of burning the body at death. The Buddha’s body was cremated and this set the example for many Buddhists, even in the West. When someone is dying in a Burmese home, monks come to comfort them. They chant verses to them, such as:
“Even the gorgeous royal chariots wear out; and indeed this body too wears out. But the teaching of goodness does not age; and so Goodness makes that known to the good ones.â€Â
After death, while the dead person is being prepared for the funeral fire, the monks continue to chant in order to help the dead one’s good energies to be released from their fading personality.
The monks come with the family to the funeral. The family and all their friends give food and candles to the monks. Goodwill is created by these gifts and it is believed that the goodwill helps the lingering spirit of the dead person.
Other worlds:
In Tibet, a Mahayana country, the day of death is thought of as highly important. It is believed that as soon as the death of the body has taken place, the personality goes into a state of trance for four days. During this time the person does not know they are dead. This period is called the First Bardo and during it lamas (monks) saying special verses can reach the person to them.
It is believed that towards the end of this time the dead person will see a brilliant light. If the radiance of the Clear Light does not terrify them, and they can welcome it, then the person will not be reborn. But most flee from the Light, which then fades.
The person then becomes conscious that death has occurred. At this point the Second Bardo begins. The person sees all that they have ever done or thought passing in front of them. While they watch they feel they have a body but when they realize this is not so, they long to possess one again. Then comes the Third Bardo, which is the state of seeking another birth. All previous thoughts and actions direct the person to choose new parents, who will give them their next body.
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