Mors 200 Arts Final - Buddhist Funeral Rites

• Religion is understood as TAO

• Devotion to religious observances, a personal set of religious attitudes and practices or principals of beliefs held to with ardor.

A process of nature by which all things change and is to be followed by a life of harmony. It also means art and skills of doing something in harmony with the nature of this thing.

1. Buddhism

2. Confucianism

3. Taoism

The funeral rite derives from the principals and practices of these three religions.

The teaching of Guatama Buddha is that suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it by mental and moral self-purification.

• The place of worship is the Pagoda.

The teaching of Confucius is related to the path of virtuous conduct, moral and eithical principals which regulate individuals and society.

• The place of worship is the Temple

A mystical philosophy, founded by Laotzu, teaching the conformity to the TAO by unasservative action and simplicity.

• The place of worship is a temple.

Funeral director should ask the family about special arrangements.

• The family notifies the Pagoda and the Bonze

• No regulation regarding time

• Left entirely up to the family

• Embalming is acceptable

• Embalmer should be aware that the family may wish to put rice, gold or coins into the mouth of the deceased before closing the mouth.

• Wealthy people- 3 pieces of gold and pearls

• Less wealthy/Ordinary- New or shining coins

• Done so that the deceased might use these items as provisions for food and money during the first stage of the journey to the next life.

• After the Ceremony of Declaration of Death

• Service of encasketing

All the family members wear white clothes including head hoods or turbans made of white cotton gauze, cry loudly and burst into tears, lament while waiting for the arrival of the Bonze.

• At this time, the body is prepared, dressed (no special requirements) and plced on a table next to the casket.

• Began by the Bonze with prayers and benediction.

• Consults Book of Dates to have the auspicious or favorable time according to the date of birth and date of death of the deceased, along with the surviving spouse or sons birth date, he then decides the accurate time to put the body in the casket.

• Very significant for survivors who believe that the lack of this observance may cause bad events to the family in the future.

• Two separate altars

• Bonze strikes wooden bells and says a prayer.

• There may be several services

• Viewing and visitation are held between these watch services.

• The Deceased Altar

• Buddha Altar

Placed before the casket with the deceased’s photos, candles, oil lamp, inscense vase, flowers, fruits and food (a boiled egg is put on top of a bowl of cooked rice).

• Related to the Confucianist cult of the death (ancestors).

Usually placed at the right angle of the “deceased altar” and contains inscense, flowers, candles and fruits.

Each time a visitor comes in and bows or posterns before the deceased altar, the surviving spouse or son should represent the deceased and bow or postern before the visitor, indicating a return of respect from the deceased.

• At the auspicious day and time prescribed by the Bonze

• Led by the Bonze

• Bonze says a prayer, gives final benediction with holy water and inscense

• Friends or fraternal organization may give a eulogy for the deceased

Encouraged and should this be the means of final disposition, the Committal service is held prior to this at the funeral home.

• Held at the home or the Pagoda

• Last 7 weeks (or 49 days) with one service per week

• Very significant because these services help the deceased’s soul to pass and go through the best reincarnation.

• Depends on the range of closeness of individuals to the deceased

• Varies from 6 months to 3 years

• Mourners expected to refrain from festivities and amusement

• When working, mourners may wear a black ribbon on the chest or a black band on the left arm as a symbolic sign of mourning.