Research On The Social Function Of Tibetan Funeral Customs

Since ancient times,Tibetan funeral customs have taken on different forms and rich connotations.Throughout the course of Tibetan society and history,from the initial burial in prehistoric times to the popularity of burial in the period of ben-religion culture,and then to the popularity of sky burial,cremation and tower burial after Buddhism was introduced into Tibet,it not only runs through all aspects of the Tibetan people’s social life,but also creates the diversity and richness of Tibetan funeral customs and culture.First of all,this paper starts from the emergence and historical evolution of Tibetan funeral customs,analyzes the geographical conditions and historical and cultural features of Tibetan funeral customs,and briefly introduces the main funeral customs of Tibetan prehistory,bon culture and Tibetan Buddhism culture.It is believed that Tibetan funeral,as a form of folk ritual,is not accidental or inexplicable,but closely related to the whole natural and cultural background.It must be accepted and followed by the society because it can meet the political,ethical and psychological functions of the ethnic group.Secondly,this paper focuses on the analysis of the social functions of Tibetan funeral customs,mainly from the ritual process and cultural connotation of Tibetan funeral customs to analyze its social functions.Tibetan funeral customs,as a kind of unique Tibetan culture,the present cultural phenomena and cultural traits of the combination between is a rational process,as the anthropologists marin panov,say "every living culture is an effective function,and integrated into a whole,like a biological organism".Therefore,cultural phenomena and cultural characteristics must be incorporated into the whole culture to analyze and explore,so as to accurately understand the origin,inheritance value and social function of a custom.The research holds that: first,the Tibetan funeral rites have the function of moral education in the process of evaluating the deceased’s behavior and adjusting the social relations;Secondly,in the process of Tibetan funeral rites,the collectivist behavior of mutual assistance and the emotional consolation for the deceased reflect the Tibetan funeral customs have the function of psychological peace.Thirdly,the behavior of individuals and groups to inherit Tibetan funeral culture in the process of Tibetan funeral etiquette shows that Tibetan funeral customs have the function of inheriting Tibetan folk culture.Fourthly,through the analysis of the ecological environment in Tibetan areas and the interpretation of Tibetan funeral thoughts,it can be seen that Tibetan funeral customs have the function of protecting the ecological environment.Finally,this paper briefly analyzes the future development trend of Tibetan funeral customs,starting from the bidirectional relationship between traditional Tibetan funeral customs and the conflict andcoexistence of modern society.Analysis along with the rapid development of modern society,people’s life style has been changing,traditional Tibetan funeral custom is facing all kinds of conflicts and challenges,if you want to Tibetan traditional funeral customs continue to go down,you must follow the change of social life and the traditional funeral custom in some outdated and conservative procedures,ceremony,etc on the culture conditions of retain its core to adjust or change.