Tag Archives: Buddhist Rituals

A Look at Japanese Funeral Practices

Cultural traditions in a country with a cremation rate of almost 100 percent

Japan has the highest cremation rate in the world at over 99 percent, with some local governments even banning burials. Cremation was reserved for the rich until after World War II.  However, once the cleanliness and efficiency of the practice … Continue reading

Posted in Cultural Perspectives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Corpse Meditation: A Buddhist Practice

A cultural practice of looking at death in order to be reminded of life

It may sound macabre or unusual, but corpse mediation is real — and, in many parts of Thailand and some other parts of Southeast Asia, a fairly normal occurrence, specifically among Buddhist monks. It’s typical for monks to meditate while … Continue reading

Posted in Cultural Perspectives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments