Which group typically prefers cremation over ground burial?

The preference for cremation among Buddhists is rooted in their beliefs about impermanence and the cycle of rebirth. In Buddhism, the physical body is seen as temporary and ultimately an attachment that can hinder spiritual progress. By opting for cremation, Buddhists view the destruction of the body as a way to release the spirit from its physical form, allowing it to continue its journey towards enlightenment and rebirth.

This perspective contrasts with the practices of other groups listed. For example, Hindus also typically prefer cremation due to beliefs associated with cleansing, liberation from samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth), and returning the body to the elements. However, the question specifically asks about the group that prefers cremation, and within a broader context, while Hindus have a strong cultural inclination towards cremation, Buddhists’ theological underpinnings give a clear, defined reason linked to their core beliefs.

Judaism and Islam, on the other hand, traditionally emphasize burial as the final disposition of the body due to doctrines surrounding reverence for the body and the belief in resurrection. Thus, the strong preference for cremation among Buddhists aligns well with their cultural and religious views on death and the afterlife, establishing them as a group that typically