The Study of the Doctrinal concepts appearing in the Funeral Ceremonies performed by the Buddhists consists of three valuable objectives namely :- (1)To study the Funeral Ceremonies and to understand the Ethical mottos appearing in the Buddhist Scriptures. (2)To study the management of the Funeral Ceremonies and the Ethical Doctrines practiced by the Buddhists in Thai Societies. (3)To study the Funeral Ceremony management by the Buddhists in Lard Prao District, Bangkok, Thailand.
The Doctrinal concept in the Buddhist funeral ceremonies is morality. In the ceremony of management of the Buddha’s remains it was the Doctrinal concept of precaution or carefulness ( Appamãda Dhamma ) in all compounded things.
The three characteristics of Sänphäras are Aniccatä ( Impermanence ) Dukkhatã
( Suffering ) and Anattatã ( Soullssness ). The additional moral principles are : gratitude
( Kataññü ), Action ( Kamma ), Sin ( Pãpa ) and Wisdom ( Paññã ). These moral principles are the Doctrines which warn people not to be careless, because everyone must go to death without warning. Even the Buddha could not escape the death ( Pärinibbäna).
The Doctrinal concept of the Thai funeral ceremonies which consist of many activities is composed of elements from various cultures suitable for the people’s ways of life and beliefs. For example, the performing of the bathing ceremony of the remains which is an activity showing respect for the dead, and so on.
The bathing ceremony of the copse is also a way of asking for excuse from the dead. To tie the dead body with sacred thread is one of three Doctrinal concepts. The ceremony of opening the coffin has been customary for a long time.
The Doctrinal concept in funeral ceremonies in Lard Prao District, Bangkok, Thailand, is of the personal staff responsible for this work , That is the sign of gratitude and the knowledge of precaution, or carefulness ( Appamãda Dhamma ) which causes the minds to be firmly in goodness. |
