Other / culture

Sky burial, an integral part of Tibetan culture, carries both broad and narrow definitions. In its broad sense, it refers to any burial method where the body is returned to nature without being interred or cremated. Examples include water burials, where bodies are left in rivers, or exposing them on grasslands for animals to consume. However, the narrow definition pertains to a specific ritual deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. In this tradition, the deceased's body is offered to vultures and other animals as an act of compassion and selflessness, aligning with Buddhist principles. After the flesh is consumed, the bones are buried. This practice follows a strict set of rituals and procedures. The origins of sky funeral trace back to India, where similar practices were documented as early as the 7th century in Xuanzang’s The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions. However, sky burial wasn’t originally part of Tibetan culture and was introduced later. Key components of this ritual include: Sky Burial Platforms: These fixed sites are usually located on high mountains or ledges easily accessible to vultures. Each region typically has one such platform. Roads leading to the platforms are maintained by community members, often voluntarily. Sky Burial Masters: These specialists oversee the ritual, from preparing the body to leading prayers. In one approach, the body is left for vultures for three days. If fully consumed, it’s believed the deceased was virtuous. If not, additional cleansing rituals are performed. Some masters also dismember the body to ensure complete consumption before the bones are buried. Procedures and Rituals: Specific prayers and rites accompany the process, but these are kept private, known only to practitioners. Even within Tibetan communities, details are often not widely shared, preserving the tradition's mystique. In an age of openness, glimpses of the ritual have been shared online, but respecting the tradition's sacredness remains essential. For most, appreciating sky burial is less about the details and more about its profound symbolism of compassion, renewal, and connection to nature.