SKY BURIAL Meaning and
Definition
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Sky burial is a funeral practice rooted in various cultures and religions, notably in Tibet and Mongolia, in which the deceased's body is exposed to the elements and eventually consumed by scavenging birds. This ritualistic tradition is based on the belief that the human body is simply an empty vessel after death, and that the soul has already departed. The aim of a sky burial is to liberate the soul from the physical form and ensure a humble return of the body to nature.
The process involves placing the deceased atop a mountaintop or a designated platform, exposed to natural forces such as wind, sun, and rain. The body is often dissected into smaller pieces to aid bird consumption, as these creatures are considered spiritual intermediaries. This ritual serves to bridge the gap between the earthly realm and the spiritual realm, allowing the soul to be released from the body and continue its journey in the afterlife.
Sky burials hold great significance in the cultures where they are practiced, representing a profound connection with nature and a symbolic understanding of life and death. They reflect a non-materialistic approach to death, emphasizing the impermanence of the physical body while embracing the spiritual aspects of existence. Despite the poignant and unconventional nature of sky burials, they exemplify a profound respect for nature's cycle and the belief in the eternal progression of the soul.
Common Misspellings for SKY BURIAL
- aky burial
- zky burial
- xky burial
- dky burial
- eky burial
- wky burial
- sjy burial
- smy burial
- sly burial
- soy burial
- siy burial
- skt burial
- skg burial
- skh burial
- sku burial
- sk7 burial
- sk6 burial
- sky vurial
- sky nurial
- sky hurial
Etymology of SKY BURIAL
The term "sky burial" originates from Tibetan culture and is derived from the Tibetan word "jhator" (pronounced cha-tor). The word "jha" means "giving alms to the birds", and "tor" means "carrying away". Sky burial refers to the traditional Tibetan funerary practice of offering the deceased's body to vultures and other scavenging birds.
The choice of the term "sky burial" in English is a translation of the Tibetan concept to convey the idea that the body is being given back to the sky or the heavens. It reflects the belief in Tibetan Buddhism that the act of offering the body to birds is a way of aiding the deceased person's transition to the next life.
