A Study on Educational meaning of Chondojae(遷度齋) in Buddhism

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate educational meaning of ‘Chondojae(遷度齋)’ in Buddhism. Chondojae(遷度齋) in Buddhism is based on human beings are ‘things’ of samsara and karma. After having died, the human being does not completely disappear. But stay in a state of the Intermediate existence(中有) after death and before rebirth in another world for 49 days. Chondojae is a ritual getting spiritual awakening at the same time to abolish karma as Buddha’s wish. Chondojae has many kinds and forms, such as ‘Youngsanjae(靈山齋)’, ‘Suryukjae(水陸齋)’, ‘Buddhist 49days Ritual(四十九齋)’. I investigate educational meaning of contents and form of Buddhist 49days Ritual in this article. The focus of the Buddhist writings in Buddhist 49days Ritual is to arouse the dead. Five phases of procedures are moved for the awakening of the dead sequentially. It is a stage of the welcome - bath - prayer - reception - send-off. This procedure is much the same by education with the entrance ceremony - preparatory education - education - review - completion-style process. In addition, the education method of a variety of forms such as music, dancing, the drama is applied in Buddhist 49days Ritual. On the one hand, the Buddhist 49days Ritual is ritual to arouse a person born in the next world. On the other hand, It has the meaning as the education to prepare for death.