Buddhism Practices Flashcards
(13 cards)
Features of temples and viharas
Statues
Statues are used for reverence and a focus for meditation but not worship.
Depending upon the tradition there will be different images and symbolism in the shrine room. Theravadan temples and shrines often have statues of the historical Buddha. In Mahayana Buddhism the statues will often have images of bodhisattvas and symbolism representing aspects of enlightenment. Reverence might be shown by placing offerings such as flowers or candles in front of the statues.
Shrines
In each temple there will be a shrine but Buddhists will often have their own shrine at home. This will normally include an image or statue of the Buddha and an area for offerings of flowers and candles.
Different types of shrines depend upon the tradition with some very plain and some elaborate. There will be no seats in the shrine room and Buddhists will enter showing their respect by bowing or putting their hands together and bringing offerings.
Stupa
Stupas contain the cremated remains of the Buddha and important Buddhists teachers and often have viharas attached to them. Many believe that stupas are representations of the Buddha’s mind. They reveal the path to enlightenment. Devotion and veneration are shown by walking around the outside of the stupa. This helps Buddhists become more mindful and gain positive karma. For some Buddhists the stupa represents the five elements, or symbolises the Buddha as a sitting person.
Meditation areas
Many Buddhists will mediate in areas at home as well as in the temple.
Shoes will be taken off and Buddhists will face statues of the Buddha or Bodhisattvas to help them focus. It is important the room helps them to empty their mind to focus on things that are really important.
Offerings
Offerings represent respect to the Buddha and Dhamma. Flowers on the shrine, for example, might be used to symbolise that everything is dukkha. It is important for Buddhists to exercise dana (virtue of giving). This may include giving offerings of food, shelter, robes to the community of monks and nuns (sangha). Offerings of light (by using a lit candle, or an oil lamp) may represent the light of wisdom that illuminates the darkness of ignorance. Burning incense as part of an offering may symbolise the fragrance of morality, and is a reminder to cultivate good conduct.
The significance of meditation
Meditation is an important way of developing awareness. It is often called bhavana (‘cultivation of the mind’) and allows people to stop and reflect. The aim is to develop mentally so that the Buddhist can have control of their mind and see the true nature of things. The Eightfold Path teaches the importance of meditation in attaining Nirvana. Dhammapada 282 teaches that wisdom springs from meditation.
Siddhartha Gautama practiced meditation in order to become enlightened.
Often Buddhists will use images and statues of buddhas or bodhisattvas. These are to help in meditation not to be worshipped. Buddhists need to prepare and empty their minds to meditate successfully and often use samatha to try to clear the mind.
The types of meditation
There are many ways of meditating but the common aim is to become more aware and develop positive qualities. For the exam you need to know about mettabhavana and vipassana, which often require preparation
Samatha also includes the mettabhavana in which the meditator extends loving feelings. These are metta (loving kindness); karuna (compassion); mudita (sympathetic joy); uppekha (loving all things equally). In its commonest form there are five stages:
1 feeling metta for yourself
2 thinking of a good friend, and feeling for their wellbeing and happiness
3 thinking of a neutral person (you don’t particularly like or dislike), reflecting on their humanity, wishing well on them
4 thinking of someone you do dislike, and think of them positively and kindly
5 think of the four altogether, and widen out your feelings of loving-kindness from your heart to all beings everywhere.
Mettabhavana is loving kindness meditation practiced in order to cultivate loving kindness towards others.
Vipassana is meditation practiced in Theravada Buddhism involving concentration on the body or its sensations.
Chanting and mantras
The recitation of texts or mantras. A mantra is a powerful word or syllable. It is a common practice in all types of Buddhism. and is encouraged in Dhammapada 190.
It is a common practice of devotion and meditation in Buddhism. Through chanting the importance of special teachings are shown. Chanting has an important role in helping to evoke enlightenment, for it enables the practitioner to realise they are not worshipping a god but cultivating mindfulness, and so working towards enlightenment.
The Triratna (Three Jewels) are the Buddha, the Dharma (teaching of the Buddha and the Sangha (fellowship of those who follow the Buddha, used to describe Buddhist monks and nuns). By chanting the triratna daily their importance is emphasised.
Malas and mudras
• Use of a mala (a string of beads used to help mindfulness, especially when mantras are being
chanted).
• Malas help concentration. For some Buddhists they will use them to count the number of mantras they have chanted.
• Malas were only used by monks at one time, but now many Buddhists use them during devotion.
• Mudras are symbolic hand gestures.
• Often images and statues of Buddha will show his hands in different mudras to reflect different aspects of enlightenment.
Puja
• Puja is the name given to a range of devotional
and offering practices.
• Opportunities are given to place offerings in front of • Puja may include th an image of the Buddha, other buddhas or bodhisattvas.
hand gestures), chai
• By performing puja, Buddhists may enhance their demonstrate their
practice of the dharma.
• Puja brings together Buddhists as a community sangha, affirming identity as Buddhists.
gs in front of • Puja may include the use of mudras (symbolic or bodhisattvas.
hand gestures), chanting mantras and malas to
demonstrate their devotion.
Death and mourning
• Death is not supposed to be a sad event because it is part of the cycle of samsara.
• It is important to have control of the mind at death because it’s believed to help with the next rebirth.
• Monks will often chant because that will remind the dying person of the words of the Buddha and help create a good death (calm and peaceful).
• Usually the body is cremated because this follows the example of the Buddha. Sometimes the ashes are placed in a stupa.
• Offerings to monks and almsgiving are given by family and friends because this creates merit which is believed to help the lingering spirit of the person.
Death and mourning
Mahayana practices
• In the Mahayana tradition it is believed that between death and rebirth is Bardo which can last for 49 days. This is an important intermediate period which influences the form that the rebirth will take. Prayers and remembrance ceremonies by the family can produce a more favourable rebirth.
• It is usual for cremated ashes to be buried in most
Buddhist countries, such as Japan.
• In the Tibetan tradition a person who is dying and who is recently dead will have the Tibetan Book of the Dead read to them to guide them
through the transition period between lives and ease attachments.
• In Tibet, the ground is not suitable for burials, so often sky burials are practiced where the body is fed to vultures. This is considered as an offering to animals and a detachment to one’s body.
• Ashes, after cremation, can be divided into more than one urn, so as to share between family members. The urn often stays at the shrine for 35 days, and then is taken to a graveyard, although sometimes it is taken straight away.
Death and mourning
Theravada traditions
• For the non-arahat death means moving to another rebirth.
• Relatives and friends may transfer merit to the dead to try to create a better rebirth.
• Death rites are usually the only rituals that Theravada monks become involved in.
Wesak
Wesak
Wesak is the most special day of Theravada
Buddhism commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.
Enlightenment of the Buddha is remembered l lighting lanterns and in some countries, walkir round the monastery three times with lighted candles. Birds, insects and caged wild animals a freed to reflect the Buddha’s freedom through enlightenment to liberation.
Scriptures relate that each of these three significant events occurred on a full moon of the indian lunar month of vesakha
Accumulation of merit through giving offerings to monks and taking on the five Precepts of monks - not eating after midday, not sleeping in a luxurious bed, not handling money, not wearing perfume, and not taking part in any entertainment.
Knowledge of Buddhism is gained through spending time with the monks and listening to sermons and rededication to the dharma and Eightfold Path.
Kathina
• A Theravada festival celebrating the end of retreats when monks have studied and meditated.
• Origins are from the time of the Buddha when a group of monks were travelling but the rains started unexpectedly and the monks were unable to get to the Buddha. They spent three months in retreat and when the season was over, they continued their journey to see the Buddha. With the roads still wet the robes became torn and dirty. The buddha gave the cloth to make new clothes
• A happy occasion with giving of offerings reflecting the generous example of the Buddha.
• Gives an opportunity for Buddhists as a community to provide a meal for the monks in the morning and robes for the monks are presented at a ceremony in the afternoon.
• It is seen as a way of creating positive karma for those who are generous enough to contribute.
Parinirvana day
• A Mahayana Buddhist festival marking the death of the Buddha.
• The death of the Buddha is celebrated as this was his freedom from the cycle of rebirth and sufferings.
• Readings are made from the Parinirvana Sutta describing the Buddha’s final days on earth and to meditate on loss and
impermanence rather than grieve
• Some Buddhists make a pilgrimage to Kushinagar where the Buddha died.
• Opportunities are given to reflect on death and meditation for friends and relatives who have recently died.
