In the first part of the cremation ceremony, the people are allowed to mourn and grieve. After this period they stop mourning. The reasons that they mourn is because it is a natural emotion that people undergo, but Hindus believe that we shouldn't overdo it because in reality the person has not died. This represent Hindus value to atman. Hindus believe that the Atman is indestructible. When you die, the atman continues its journey in samsara or achieve moksha.
The second part of the cremation ceremony is build a pyre in the water. The water represents Hindu values. Hindu values water to have purification properties. It helps remove the sin. Cremation is done alot in the gange river. This is because the gange river has immense purifcation property.
The third part of the ceremony is placing the body in the direction of Yama (deity of death). This represents Hindus value on honoring the dead. They believe that it is important to pay respect all Gods as they are all part of brahman.
The last part of the ceremony is lighting the body on fire. This highlights the Hindus value of the relationship between prakiti and purusha. They believe that prakiti traps the atman inside the body. By burning the prakiti, the atman is allowed to escape and be free to journey through the samsara.
Paul: in addition, the ashes of the body is spreade across the river ganges which is believed to cleanse ones sins so that the person is able to achieve moksha. This highlights the importance of purifiaciton so that the body can escape from the gunas.
Pau: Furthermore death is the last part of the ashramas therefore is very important to hindus. This emphasizes Hindus values on Ashramas and the importance of following the varnashramadama which is one of the methods to reach moksha.
(I'll try my best)
ReplyDeleteIn the first part of the cremation ceremony, the people are allowed to mourn and grieve. After this period they stop mourning. The reasons that they mourn is because it is a natural emotion that people undergo, but Hindus believe that we shouldn't overdo it because in reality the person has not died. This represent Hindus value to atman. Hindus believe that the Atman is indestructible. When you die, the atman continues its journey in samsara or achieve moksha.
The second part of the cremation ceremony is build a pyre in the water. The water represents Hindu values. Hindu values water to have purification properties. It helps remove the sin. Cremation is done alot in the gange river. This is because the gange river has immense purifcation property.
The third part of the ceremony is placing the body in the direction of Yama (deity of death). This represents Hindus value on honoring the dead. They believe that it is important to pay respect all Gods as they are all part of brahman.
The last part of the ceremony is lighting the body on fire. This highlights the Hindus value of the relationship between prakiti and purusha. They believe that prakiti traps the atman inside the body. By burning the prakiti, the atman is allowed to escape and be free to journey through the samsara.
Paul: in addition, the ashes of the body is spreade across the river ganges which is believed to cleanse ones sins so that the person is able to achieve moksha. This highlights the importance of purifiaciton so that the body can escape from the gunas.
ReplyDeletePau: Furthermore death is the last part of the ashramas therefore is very important to hindus. This emphasizes Hindus values on Ashramas and the importance of following the varnashramadama which is one of the methods to reach moksha.
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell ...
ReplyDeleteRelatives are invited to the cremation ceremony, emphasising the value of community.
The eldest son usually actively participates in all the preparations, showing the value of family duty (dharma).
The body is purified with ghee and undergo spiritual cleansing in the fire, representing the value of purity.
The priest conducts all the rituals, again symbolising purity especially since he is a Brahmin.
(Because he is spiritually pure, he will also give good karma to escape samsara and to achieve moksha)
Tim/Paul have the others ... I think.
Basically values are things like: (varnashrama)dharma, purity, family, community etc.