- When the time comes, it must be passed through a window or a hole cut in the wall
- It means to prevent evil from slipping in while the door is open
- The body is taken away from the village and laid on the open ground with stones laid outlining the size of the naked body.
- The village dogs that haven't fed for days are released to consume the remains. What is left goes to the local predators.
- Meanwhile, the family burns incense (dupa) and places food outside to feed all visiting spirits.
- The lamas also pray and offer food to keep evil spirits away and to protect the remaining family.
- If the body is eaten, it shows the dead person has no sin and that the soul has gone peacefully to Paradise.
- If any step of the ceremony is left out, no matter how trivial, bad karma or misfortunate is believed to ensue.
The ceremony involves several steps
- When a loved one has passed away, the first step is to call up the lamas because they direct the entire process.
- No one is allowed to touch the dead person except for the lama.
- Lama put the body on bed in fetus position
- Blue stones are placed on the each end of the bed to prevent evil spirits from entering the dead body.
- A white piece of silk is placed on the face of the dead person.
- A traditional death ceremony from Mongolia
- The entire death ceremony is direct by Lama(s). The amount of Lamas is dependent on the social standing / status of the deceased.
- The wealthier the family, the more lamas it could afford
LAMA
Mongolian AIR SACRIFICE
BOBBY FEBRIAN
KARIN VALENCIA
VERONIKA SUANDI
YOGA AGUNG