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by (120 points)
Pranam Sir

I am a 28 years old married Brahmin from India. I was involved in mantras,gurus,yoga,puja etc for 14 years of my life.Since last year when my mother passed away i am unable to appreciate my previous paths and i find great comfort and solace in Buddha's teaching.I think Buddha Dhamma is the way to make the planet much more peaceful and is quite an intelligent way to live.I practice Anapana Sati for 10 minutes in the morning and evening regularly.

I am in conflict with myself regarding rituals. I no longer feel inclined to practice the orthodox brahmin rituals of worshiping certain deities/gods/beings.

I want to learn how a Dhamma practicing person should ceremonize the following five events:

1.) Inauguration of a new house/shop/project.

2.) Birth/Naming ceremony of a baby.

3.)Marriage ceremony

4.) Death ceremony

Regards

Harsh

1 Answer

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by (18.8k points)

A good place to start would be to give up any notions of cast. 

Na jacca vasalo hoti
na jacca hoti brahmano
kammana vasalo hoti
kammana hoti brahmano.

One is not low because of birth
nor does birth make one holy.
Deeds alone make one low,
deeds alone make one holy.

There is no value attached to cast, ethnicity, skin tone etc. in Buddhism.

 As far as ceremonies, typically in Buddhist countries the usual practice is to invite the Monks to your company or house and offer alms. That will be followed by a sermon and blessings. 

For weddings, the couple may visit the temple wearing suitable attire and offer flowers, incense sticks etc. to the Buddha and also get blessings from the monks. This is usually separate from the wedding ceremony where people come to be entertained and eat.

For funerals, monks are invited several times to the residence of the dead person to transfer merits to the deceased. It's usually just before cremation, six days after cremation and arms giving on the seventh day. Then after 3 months and after 1 year. For more details go here.

Keep in mind that these are cultural customs giving people the opportunity to do good deeds during such occasions. They are not compulsory practices in Buddhism.

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