Belief in Eternal Life - Burial Culture

[Narration]
Can you see the people dressed in white garments lying around the deceased? In those days, the custom was that servants were buried with a member of the royal family or the nobility when they died.

[Tourist]
They killed people and buried them? That’s horrible.

[Narration]
I agree…it’s beyond our comprehension. However, if you consider the culture and customs of Gaya society, it is somewhat understandable.

[Tourist]
Surely there is no reason that can justify the murder of innocent people.

[Narration]
I know, but as I said, this custom was only performed upon the death of a royal or a member of the noble classes. The people of Gaya regarded the king as a god and as such should be honored even in the afterlife. In this sense, to die after the king may have seemed natural.

[Tourist]
Um….I see.

[Narration]
This kind of custom was adopted by the hierarchy that formed in Gaya as it became a powerful kingdom. The tradition of sacrifice occurred in many ancient civilizations throughout the world, including ancient Egypt and the Mayan civilization of Central America. For example, there are over 300 royal concubines and slaves buried around the tomb of King Djer in Egypt.

The custom of sacrificial burial did not last long. When Buddhism was introduced to Gaya, earthenware figurines of people replaced the actual servants and the custom was prohibited. After a while, it disappeared into the annals of history.