Expert: Buddhis8 - BuddhismIS.com - 4/27/2009

Question
Hi,
I am currently doing an assignment on how compatible Buddhism and Hindu death beliefs/ funerals are.

What are the main beliefs in regards to death in Buddhism? Is there any set plan in how funerals are conducted? are there any restrictions or rules that must be followed in funerals?

Thank you for your help
Regards Rishan

Answer
Dear Rishan,

In reality it depends on the culture you are in - Thai, Tibetan, Japanese, Korean. There is quite a bit of variance.

In general there is a tendency to have some kind of meritorious action performed and dedicated to the deceased's mental continuum/subsequent reincarnations. Also the disposal of the body can vary - cremations or sky burial for example.

I believe the hindu funerals vary greatly according to caste and place as well, but mostly they dispose their remains by cremation.

Probably the best way to approach this is to ask for each poster to post according to their culture.

What Buddhists and Hindus do have 'in common" is a belief in reincarnation which is reflected in many of the funerary rituals. But in reality the belief in reincarnation and its processes etc are actually quite different, hence the rituals hold very different meanings.

This page may be useful to you in your studies:
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/03/death-and-funeral-beliefs-among.html

Theravada Buddhism:
Buddhist teaching in The Theravadin tradition is that a person's mind-state at the time of death determines the kammic effect transmitted to an available fetus, where the kammic effect thereby affects/effects the new life. This is called rebirth, not reincarnation which would imply a continuation of some sort of soul or continuous entity as in Hindu beliefs.

If the deceased person's mind was riddled with guilt or fear for example from a violent or angry life, or focused upon resentments from a life of unwise intentional actions, then rebirth may be in realms less advantageous to being exposed to Buddha's teachings, The Dhamma, and less accessible to the support of The Sangha, The Buddhist Community. Such worlds are called The Hell Realms.

On the other hand, if a person's mind was pure and free of all non-beneficial attachments, free of resentments, anger, lusts and desires they may be born in The Diva Worlds, worlds of indescribable refinements and gods; or if one was totally released of all attachments and affliction as was The Buddha, they may attain a state known as nibbana, where kamma (intentional action) no longer affects/effects them and they are free from the samsaric cycle of continuous birth and death.

I hope this helps
Yours in Dhamma
Shozen, Metta