Ceremonies and rituals associated with death and mourning

Question 1

Buddhst beliefs about death

Answer 1

• when buddhist dies their kammic energy leaves their body and is reborn in a new one
• death therefore is not seen as an end, only a transition from one form to another
• buddhists will naturally grieve the loss of the person they love but they also have to bare in mind what the buddha taught about impermenance being a natural part of life
• funerals valuable reminder of this teaching
• nothing lasts and people will suffer less if they accept this

Question 2

characteristics of theravda funerals

Answer 2

• very little money is spent on funerals
• instead money is donated to a worthy cause in order to transfer good karma to the deceased - shows compassion
• this is done so family member gets favourable rebirth
• rituals to transfer merit may also be performed by family members or other mourners. For example, they might offer to make robes for the monastry
• a shrine may be set up to display the deceased’s portrait along with offerings to the Buddha of candles, incense and flowers.
• an image of the Buddha is usually placed beside or infront of shrine
• monks will often attend funeral of a lay person
• they may give a sermon or perform buddhist rites
• the deceased may be cremated or buried, cremation is more common
• all mourners send good thoughts to family and contemplate the impermenance of life

Question 3

Characteristics of tibetan funerals

Answer 3

• sky burials is where a body is left in a high place as a gift to the vultures
• tradition arose due to lack of firewood and problems with frozen ground
• giving away ones body was seen as practical, generous and compassionate
• also linked to the idea of impermenance and attachment since when a buddhist has passed on their body is not them - just vessel for life
• however increasingly customary for the body to be burned
• revered teachers always been cremated
• ashes put in stupas and made into places of worship
• yam butter lamps may be made every seven days for 49 days after death

Question 4

characteristics of funerals in japan

Answer 4

• in pure land buddhism the coffin may be placed with the head pointing west, towards the direction of the pure land(sukhavati)
• those assembled chant Amitabha’s name as they process around the coffin
• common across all japanese traditions for relatives to gather after the cremation and pick out the bones from the ashes using chopsticks
• as in tibet remains may be kept for 49 days