Buddhist Places Of Worship

Question 1

Vihara

Answer 1

Buddhist place of worship, monastery

Question 2

Accommodation

Answer 2

Places for monks to live

Question 3

Dining hall

Answer 3

Place for communal eating

Question 4

Classroom

Answer 4

Area for general schooling of children or/and where monks can be trained

Question 5

Library

Answer 5

Area to store the Tipitaka, the sacred texts of buddhism

Question 6

Meditation Hall

Answer 6

Large room or hall where Buddhists can perform puja: devotional practices, there will be a shrine with a stature or image of the buddha. Many halls are elaborate especially in Mahayanan viharas.

Question 7

Bodhi Tree

Answer 7

Many vicars will have a garden and there will be a fig tree in it. Reminder of Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

Question 8

Stupas

Answer 8

Focal point of concentration, like statue.

Question 9

Statue of the Buddha

Answer 9

Focal point of the shrine.

Question 10

Flowers

Answer 10

Flowers can be given as an offering, they add beauty to the shrine, symbolise of arnica as flowers open, bloom, fade and die quickly. Therefore artificial flowers cannot be used.

Question 11

Candles

Answer 11

Important symbol of enlightenment as taught by the Buddha. Nirvana means blowing out and symbolises how the dharma can drive away problems of dukkha.

Question 12

Incense

Answer 12

Symbolic of a person cleansing their mind of the three poisons

Question 13

Offerings

Answer 13

dana is one of the six paramitas, offerings are often given to Bhikkus.