A Comparative Study of the Ideas of the Death and Funeral Arrangements in Theravada Buddhism and Brahmin-Hinduism

Abstract

The objectives of this research article are: 1) to study the beliefs of the death and funeral arrangements in Theravada Buddhism, 2) to study the beliefs of the death and funeral arrangements in the Brahmin-Hinduism, and 3) to comparative study the beliefs of death and funeral arrangements in Theravada Buddhism and Brahmin-Hinduism.  This research is a qualitative study by studying and collecting information from the Tripitaka and the Vedas texts including the research papers. The results of study were found that: By conclusion, Buddhism and Brahmin-Hinduism have the same view that “A funeral ceremony is a ritual performed by a living person to support and promote the deceased” followings the path to happiness as the living person hopes. For the difference opinions, (1) Buddhism is only making merit to encourage the deceased. (2) Brahmin-Hinduism aims to beg the gods to grant what they wish for the deceased to be happy, which is divided into 2 types: (1) funerals for innocent people, such as priests, and (2) funerals for ordinary people. On different issues, Buddhism is divided into (1) funeral rites for monks and (2) for lay people. The details of the ceremony vary according to qualifications, royal title. But overall, Emphasis will be placed on cremation, not discrimination on caste and rank. The Brahmin-Hinduism classifies funeral ceremonies into 2 items by referring to (1) the funeral ceremony without cremation for those who are considered holy, such as priests, and (2) the cremation ceremony is a general ceremony. Anyways, all persons and funeral ceremonies are divided according to social castes. However, there is also a method according to religious beliefs, which is to burn it and float it in the Ganges River to lead the soul to heaven.