Red Shirts Chanting Ceremony (10 images)

In the Therevada Buddhist tradition a person is cremated upon death, it follows the tradition of cremation in India and the example of the Buddha, who was himself cremated. Cremation usually takes place shortly after death, however it can be delayed to allow for a long mourning period at the request of the family.

That is what's happening right now in Bangkok. After the street fighting Saturday hundreds of people were hospitalized. Many with critical injuries are still in...
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In the Therevada Buddhist tradition a person is cremated upon death, it follows the tradition of cremation in India and the example of the Buddha, who was himself cremated. Cremation usually takes place shortly after death, however it can be delayed to allow for a long mourning period at the request of the family.

That is what's happening right now in Bangkok. After the street fighting Saturday hundreds of people were hospitalized. Many with critical injuries are still in intensive care. One died today and more are expected to die in coming days.

Many of the families are cooperating with the Red Shirts leaders and delaying the cremation until the end of a lengthy mourning process (a few may have been cremated in their villages already). No one has said yet when the funerals will take place. During the mourning period, monks meet daily with the family to chant the Abhidharma. Tonight's chanting was the first in a temple (the bodies, which are in chilled coffins, have been lying in repose at Democracy Monument, they were moved to a temple early today). It's a private ceremony - only about 50 Thais were there.
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