There are five Tibetan burial methods: tower burial, cremation, sky burial, water burial, and earth burial.
・Tower Burial
Tower burial is the most honorable of the five burial methods. Also known as "spirit burial," this ritual is reserved for a select few aristocrats. In tower burial, the body is placed in a "spirit burial tower." Tower burials are reserved for popes such as the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, as well as living Buddhas. The body is placed in a magnificent stupa adorned with gold, silver, and jewels. Tower burials are performed in a very unique way. First, the body is purified with a fragrant "liquid" and placed on a sacred altar. Next, butter oil lamps are lit, and believers offer prayers. The body is then purified with another fragrant "liquid" and rubbed with salt. Salt has antiseptic and water-absorbing properties, as well as the effect of drawing blood and bodily fluids. The body is then repeatedly rubbed with salt until it mummifies. A special mud is applied to the face to prevent the face from losing its shape. The body is then sprinkled with safflower and spices, wrapped in various colored sashes, and placed in a pagoda. The funerals of the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama, living Buddhas of various sects, and Yellow Sect elders have all been performed in pagoda burials.
Cremation
Cremation is performed for monks of high rank and accomplishment, high-ranking officials, and nobles. Upon the death of a high-ranking monk, the body is cremated over a fire lit with butter oil while monks chant sutras. The bones and ashes are mixed with soil and placed in a pagoda. For high-ranking officials and nobles, the ashes are scattered on a high mountain or in a large river.
Sky Burial (Sky Burial)
Sky burial (Sky Burial) is a funeral method commonly used by ordinary people. The body is placed on a mat in the corner of the room for a period of time. Then, for three to five days after death, a monk is called in to recite sutras from morning until night. During this time, relatives, friends, and acquaintances visit to pay their respects. It is customary for homes where a deceased person has died to hang a single "red can" at the entrance. A small amount of blood, meat, fat, milk, butter, cheese, etc. is placed in the can each day to be fed to the deceased's "ghost." In Tibet, it is believed that the deceased become a ghost, and since their souls are departed from the body, they are unable to feed themselves. Therefore, the purpose of this is for living family members to provide food for the ghost. A few days later, the head of the family has the body's clothes removed, tied with rope, and a white line is drawn. It is the family's duty to carry the body along this line. The body is then handed over to the person performing the sky burial at the entrance. The family members see the deceased off together as the coffin is carried out, but do not go to the sky burial site. Close friends and acquaintances usually perform the funeral procession. There is also a rule that those performing the funeral must never look back. This is because it is believed that if they do, the soul of the deceased will return home and bring misfortune. Sky burials are carried out in the mountains on the outskirts of town. A large natural stone is used as the "burial platform," and the body is placed on top of it. Pine and other fragrant woods are piled up around the body and set on fire. Smoke rises, and this smoke alerts the "heavenly hawks," or "vultures." Vultures have the habit of searching for food when they spot smoke. At this point, the sky burial has already begun. The back of the body is dissected, and if the body is that of a monk, a religious "pattern" is applied to the back. The internal organs are removed, and the flesh is chopped and formed into dumplings. The bones are fed to the vultures first, followed by the flesh. It is believed that this allows the body to "ascend" to heaven without any trace of the body remaining.
Burial at Sea
"Water burial" is a funeral method performed for orphans, the homeless, and other economically disadvantaged individuals. The body is carried to the riverbank, dismembered at the joints, and then thrown into the river. In some areas, the body is simply wrapped in white cloth and thrown into the river without dismemberment. In the deep valleys of southern Tibet, where vultures are scarce, water burials are often performed.
"Burial" is a funeral method performed for those who died of illnesses such as smallpox, leprosy, or tansy, as well as those who committed crimes or were murdered. Burial is performed for those who are not legally permitted to be buried in the sky or at sea. The method is quite simple: a hole is dug in the ground and the body is buried. |
