Death

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Death and Mourning Rituals in Buddhism

For Buddhists, death is the end of this life and the beginning of the next.

Death in Buddhism

For Buddhists, all the karma that a person has accumulated during the course of their life determines their next rebirth at the moment of death.
Death reminds people about the Buddha's teaching on impermanence.
Bodies are almost always cremated.

Theravada traditions

Death rites are the only events in the cycle of life ritual that Theravada Buddhist monks will play a major role in.
Monks are given a cloth offering which represents the rags that monks would have worn during the life of Buddha.
A monk will visit the deceased home a week after their death to give a sermon to their close relatives and friends.

Death in Various Traditions

Different traditions have different ways of practice in death.

Mahayana traditions

Buddhists in China have numerous ceremonies in the 49 days after death which mark the time between death and rebirth.
The Amitabha Sutra is also recited.
Mahayana traditions are also found throughout Japan.

Tibetan traditions

As a person is dying, the Tibetan Book of the Dead is read, in order to help them pass on to their next life.
This ritual is repeated for 49 days, which is the period of transition between lives.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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