Funeral rites as good death in Theravada Buddhism

Abstract

This article aims to study the beliefs about the afterlife of Buddhists in Thai society today that influence the funeral ceremony in the current form. It is a religious funeral ceremony that is believed to be done to make merit for the deceased, which has been practiced from the past to the present. It is a long period of time, resulting in a variety of funeral ceremonies, which are in accordance with the intentions and beliefs of Thai society today. Buddhists in Thai society give importance to religious funeral ceremonies because they believe that it creates merit and benefits, allowing those who have religious roles to perform their duties to provide religious teachings to those who participate in the funeral ceremony, so that they understand the correct religious teachings. The beliefs about the afterlife of Thai society, Buddhists in Thai society also have beliefs about the afterlife that can be divided into two groups. The first group believes that after death, one is reborn, which causes the funeral ceremony to create merit for the deceased to dedicate and receive while performing the ceremony. Another group of Buddhists in Thai society believes that the funeral ceremony is performed to benefit those who are still alive, so that they understand the religious principles of rebirth and death that follow the laws of nature. The funeral ceremony and the beliefs about the afterlife of Buddhists are therefore diverse and different according to the way of life in Thai society today. Study guidelines Investigate the belief in the afterlife in Buddhism that influenced funeral ceremonies in Thai society in the past. In what ways did religious funeral ceremonies benefit Buddhists? At present, is it still the same belief? What were the steps in the funeral ceremony in the past? And at present, has it remained the same or has it been changed according to social conditions that influence religious understanding? A funeral ceremony is a religious ceremony that involves a person whose duty is to teach religious principles to those who attend the ceremony so that they will be aware of the principles according to the steps of the funeral ceremony.