Buddhist Practices Flashcards
(53 cards)
What do Buddhists normally have a room in their home reserved for
Worship
Can contain thinks like Buddha statues, incense, candles, paintings etc
What are the two main places of worship??
Temples
Viharas
What is a vihara
A Buddhist monastery
What is a stupa
A sealed cone shaped shrine, containing relics
People will often walk around them
What is a ‘wat’
A sacred area containing a temple, vihara and a large painting of Buddha and three resident bhikkhus
What is a gompa
A remote place in Tibet contains a vihara, university and fortifications
What are some characteristics of a Buddhist temple??
Always facing the east for the rising sun
Designed to symbolise air, fire, water earth and wisdom (the five elements)
Learning is very important in Buddhism so most contain a library
What are three main Buddhist objects of devotion
Offerings (preparation for meditation, often candles, incense, food drink etc)
Buddharupas- statues of those who have reached enlightenment, sometimes with symbolic items
Bodhi tree- the direct descendant of the tree Buddha sat under is at the mahabodhi temple
When is bodhi day
8th of December
The greeting shared that day is ‘may the peace of Buddha be yours’
What is the triple gem
Things offerings are made to
What are common features of Buddharupas
Long ears Long fingers and toes A bump on the top of the head (represents wisdom) Broad shoulders Long slim nose
What does puja refer to
It refers to as honour, worship and devotion
What are the two different types of puja
In Theravada Buddhism it is focused on gaining merit and peoples personal benefit from it
In Mahayana Buddhism the focus is more on others and asking Buddhas to keep teaching for the good of the world
What are the features of puja
It’s seen as a way to prepare for the path of enlightenment
It can be expressed through the body, mind and speech
It is a giving in order to help others and themselves
It is an example of inner devotion
What is more important than any ritual for Buddhists
Puja
What are the different forms of puja
Pilgrimage, blessing, prostration, merit- making, offering, recitation and meditation
What is the pinnacle of all devotion seen as in Buddhism
Puja in a pilgrimage
Where did Buddha recommend all Buddhists should go on a pilgrimage to??
Bodh gaya
How many offerings does Mahayana Buddhism practice giving
7: 2 for hospitality, 5 for the senses
What offerings are given to represent the end of the darkness of ignorance
Candles and lights
Offerings are usually made to a Buddha image
What’s an example of a traditional text that’s recited
The Three refuges
What are meant to provide a blessing and how
Ceremonies, by asking Buddha for a blessing or repentance to be free from kamma
What is merit and how do you gain it
It is a gained form of energy, through merit making practices targeted at a certain person or deity
What is prostration
An act of humility done for the three jewels (Buddha, sangha and dhamma) usually done three times
