Funeral ceremony in Laos by Sivis'Art скачать в хорошем качестве

Funeral ceremony in Laos by Sivis'Art

#Death is the inevitable event in life of all people. Especially important adherence to traditions in Laos, Theravada Buddhist land. All people around are silent and full of #solidarity with the family of the deceased. We go there to present our condolences, but above all to help the family, to express our solidarity and to live with them this episode of life. The ceremonial surrounding a death in Laos can vary from one region to another. Only one thing does not change - the body of the deceased is stored in his house in accordance with Buddhist customs until the time of #cremation. As soon as the death is noted, the family gathers to wash the deceased. After that the body is placed in a coffin and closes. From above the decoration elements are placed. Since the early 2000s the appearance of funeral homes, wealthy families have called upon the service of specialists who take care of everything, until the body is incinerated. Death is now part of the broad socio-economic movement affecting society, where funerals have become “an industry” supported by private corporations. A representative of the family will light the large candle placed at the head of the deceased, which will burn until the body is lifted. The vigil, which can last several days or weeks, reminds the living of their inevitable fate. During the vigil, a close relative of the family stands during nights and days at the foot of the catafalca. According to tradition, each visitor brings a little rice, flowers and money, and thus participates directly in the funeral expenses. Then visitors are invited to have a meal, permanently assured by a swarm of dedicated people, kitchen experts, volunteers and guided by a very high sense of community service. Another illustration of the Laotian solidarity that tends to disappear little by little in the urban environment where the family is then forced to call on the service of a caterer. In general, visitors spend a long time in the company of the bereaved family, playing cards or helping with small work for the funeral, or simply discussing things and others. On the morning of the day set for the funeral, close relatives, family, friends, neighbors and villagers gather for the offering to the monks (takbad, morning meal) followed by a specific religious ceremony. In the process children, grandchildren, cousins and nephews were shaved their heads in order to become novices. By this they pay the last time homage to the deceased while dedicating to him all the merits acquired by their passage from lay life to monastic life. The funeral procession is led by the eldest of the family holding the portrait of the missing parent. The son of the deceased holding the large cotton cord connected to the coffin, followed by monks and nuns, as well as the close family. The rest of the audience must follow the catafalch. Once at the cemetery, the coffin is made three turns from the stake and associated with the three blows on the stake. Before the last common prayer made by the venerable, assisted by the invited monks and novices accompanying the deceased, a representative of the family briefly retraces the past life of the deceased. The eldest of the family then thanked the audience for their help and generosity before proceeding with the farewell ritual in the presence of all the family members. Monks, nuns and close relatives form a hedge of honor to thank the guests who, before leaving the premises.