The Heavenly Burial: Tibetan ritual to free the soul of the deceased

Death, although universal, is lived in different ways in each culture. In Tibet, one of the most fascinating and to honor the dead is the "heavenly burial". This ancient rite, rich in spiritual significance, symbolizes liberation of the soul and the cycle of rebirth.

Although, as we will see, the rite is very crude and distant from our idea of "funeral", in some communities it is still widely practiced.

Jhator, the burial Tibetan Celestial

The celestial burial, also known as as "Jhator", is a Tibetan funeral practice in which the The body of the deceased is exposed on a mountain and offered to vultures. This The ceremony was born from the combination of Buddhist beliefs and indigenous practices, with the aim of returning the body to nature. Tibetans believe that the soul has left the body to death and that the carcass is only a container empty. Therefore, offering the body to vultures is considered an act of generosity and compassion, as it allows the birds to survive.

The ritual

The ritual of heavenly burial It begins with a purification ceremony. Tibetan monks recite prayers and mantras to guide the soul of the deceased towards liberation. Subsequently, the body is transported to a sacred mountain and prepared for the offer. The "rokpa", people specialized in In this ritual, they perform the process of disassembling the body in a ritual way. Vultures, considered sacred, consume the body, symbolizing the transmigration of the soul and the continuation of the cycle of life.

This ritual is not just a way to Managing death in a region where cremation or burial are difficult due to the climatic conditions and geographical, but it is also a powerful metaphor for the transience of life. The Heavenly burial teaches Tibetans to see death as a transformation and not a definitive end, promoting a serene and accepting vision of the mourning.

If you are curious about the rituals of the other cultures take a look at the Toraja funeral and al Bon Smells.