World Religions Culture
Buddhism: Worship Traditions, Celebrations and Festivals
Wesak: This is the celebration of Buddha's birth. For Theravada Buddhists, it is also the celebration of Buddha's
enlightenment and death. During this celebration, statues of Buddha are decorated. Offerings are taken to monasteries,
and sometimes there are fireworks.
Vassa: This is a time to meditate and study. In Buddha's time, it was during the rainy season which meant it was
hard to travel and teach so it was a good time for meditation and study. During Vassa, a meditation retreat, all Buddhists
are supposed to set aside some time for study and meditation. At the end of Vassa, people bring new robes to monks.
Other Festivals: Different countries have different Buddhist celebrations. For example in Japan, Buddhists
celebrate the flower festival, or Hana Matsuri, to honor Buddha's birthday. Temples are decorated with cherry blossoms
and children pour scented tea over statues of the baby Buddha. In India, Buddhists celebrate the Festival of the Sacred
Tooth in honor of Buddha's first teaching. One of Buddha's teeth is paraded around in the streets as an expression of
this celebration.
Buddhism: Sacred Places and Spaces
Although worshipping in a temple is not essential for worship, Buddhists do visit shrines and temples to pay
their respects to Buddha and to meditate with other Buddhists. Going to a worship space is not essential because
Buddhism is a way of life, a way to act all of the time. Some Buddhists also have shrines in their homes, allowing
practitioners to pray at the most convenient times for them.
Buddhist shrines and temples take many different forms depending on where they are built. The first Buddhist
shrines were ten dome-shaped mounds, or studpas, which were built to hold Buddha's ashes. Then more stupas were
built to hold sacred items. Some stupas are bell-shaped. Visitors walk around the stupas as a way of paying their
respects to the Buddha. In Japan and China, Buddhists built pagodas as sacred temples. These are towers with various
numbers of tiers, usually five. The five tiers represent the five basic elements of the Universe -- earth, water, fire, wind,
and emptiness. The height represents reaching out of the physical world towards wisdom.
Buddhists go on pilgrimages to places associated with Buddha's life. These places include his birthplace, Lumbini
Grove, the place of enlightenment, Bodh Gaya, the place of his first sermon, Sarnarth, and the place he died, Kusinara. In
addition there are other sacred places, special to the various branches of Buddhism. For example, since the Dalai Lama,
the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, was exiled from Tibet when the Chinese army invaded in 1959, he has been
livng in Dharamsala, India. This has become a special place for his followers who go there to study and hope for an
audience with the Dalai Lama.
Some Buddhists want to practice Buddhism more strictly and with less distraction. These monks and nuns form
communities and live in monasteries. A religious community of Buddhists is called a Sangha. In some countries, young
boys and girls spend part of their education living as monks. Buddhists use monasteries as places of refuge for
meditation and to refocus on a simpler, less worldly life. Monasteries are important places to Buddhists.
Christian Festivals and Celebrations
Christian celebrations and festivals center around important dates in Jesus' life.
Advent - the 4 week season of preparation for the birth of Christ, and for the Second Coming. Often an Advent
wreathe is used as a focus for prayer during Advent.
Christmas - Jesus' birth - often celebrated with nativity scenes, stories, pageants recalling the story of Jesus'
humble birth in a stable surrounded by animals.
Lent - the period leading up to Easter commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying.
A time for personal reflection and improvement through prayer, fasting, and study.
Holy Week – the last week of Jesus' life, including Palm Sunday, which celebrates his triumphal entry into
Jerusalem the week before he was crucified; Maundy Thursday, a remembrance of the Last Supper with the disciples;
and Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified on a cross, which is the most recognized symbol of Christianity.
Easter - Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Eggs are a major symbol of Easter since they symbolize new life.
Crosses are often covered with flowers to symbolize Jesus' victory over death.
In addition, certain passages in an individual Christian's life are marked by celebration and special services.
These include Baptism or birth into the Christian church; Confirmation, an informed commitment to membership in the
church; weddings; and funerals.
Christianity: Sacred Spaces and Places
Christians worship in churches. It is customary to worship on Sunday, the Sabbath, and on other special festivals
and celebrations. Some people, especially monks and nuns, attend church daily. In addition, most Christians pray or
worship at home through individual or family devotions.
Church services are most often led by an ordained priest or minister. Often there is also lay (non-ordained
minister) leadership in a service. The services usually include participatory prayers and hymns, readings, and a sermon.
For most Christians the primary service is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion or the Mass. The
center of this service is the sharing of bread and wine, representing Christ's body and blood, which he sacrificed for
God's people on earth. The model for the Holy Eucharist is the Last Supper, Jesus' last meal with his disciples. At this
meal, Jesus instructed his disciples to share bread and wine together as a way of remembering him.
What do Christian churches look like?
Since Christians were often persecuted in the early days of Christianity, the first churches were simply people's
homes, or any other safe gathering place, often indicated by the secret sign of a fish. Just as there are many forms of
Christianity, there are many forms of churches today. However, they usually share some features in common. These
features tend to date back to churches of the Middle Ages. Churches from this point on tended to be built in the shape
of a cross.
Hinduism: Festivals and Celebrations
There are three main yearly festivals. All major festival celebrations include visiting a temple, eating special
foods and exchanging gifts.
Diwali is the festival of lights. Light represents knowledge. It is celebrated in late October or early November.
This is the Hindu New Year.
Holi is the festival which marks the coming of spring. It is held in March or April. There are processions and
people light bonfires and cover each other with colored water and powders.
Dussehra is the festival which marks Rama's triumph over the evil Ravana. It is held in September. There are
dances and plays with events in the life of the god Rama depicted.
Every twelve years in January or February: Kumbha Mela: This celebration is a huge bathing affair. Millions of
Hindu pilgrims go to the River Ganges at Allahbad for this festival.
Hinduism: Sacred Spaces and Places
A Hindu place of worship is called a mandir or temple. A temple is dedicated to a particular god or goddess
(deity). The temple is the god's home on earth. The most holy part of the temple is an inner shrine called a garbhargriha
with a statue to the god or goddess. This inner shrine is under a towering roof called a sikhara. The four corners of the
temple then have smaller shrines. The temple is entered through the ardhamandapa or entrance porch. Hindu temples
are often decorated with the figures of gods and goddesses. Outside Hindu temples you can often buy gifts or prasad to
give the diety honored in the temple.
There is no set schedule for visits to a temple. Worshippers go when they want. When entering a temple, visitors
must take off their shoes and women cover their heads to show respect. The ceremony that follows is called puja. It
includes prayer and a viewing of the statue of the god or goddess honored. Offerings of fruit, flowers and incense are
made to a priest who presents them to the deity. After the deity blesses the gifts they are returned to the worshipper
and their heads are marked with a red dot or blessing called a tilaka. Worshippers then circle the inner shrine with their
right hand raised in respect to the deity.
It is also very common for Hindus to worship at a home shrine, often as a whole family. There might be a statue
or just a picture of the god or goddess. The shrine also contains things which represent the five senses. The idea is to
draw the whole person into worship through the image or statue and the senses. The goal is to get beyond self to
Brahmin. A bell is also often rung to help focus the mind.
The Ganges River is a very sacred place to Hindus. It is a place to go on pilgrimage to bathe in sacred waters.
Hindus also like to have their ashes scattered in the Ganges after cremation.
Islam: Festivals and Celebrations
Id ul-Fitr: This festival marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan. It ends with the sighting of the new
moon in the sky. Muslims visit their mosque to say special prayers, visit friends and relatives, eat special feast foods and
exchange gifts and cards. It is a time of thankfulness for Allah's blessings which are better appreciated because of the
experience of fasting during Ramadan.
Hajj: This is the pilgrimage to Mecca to worship in the Ka'bah. Muslims try to do this at least once in their
lifetime. Pilgrims wear plain, identical clothes to show that all are equal in Allah's eyes. They walk around seven times,
counterclockwise. They they walk or run seven times between two hills followed by a 16 mile walk to Mount Arafat
where Muhammad preached his last sermon. On the way back to Mecca, Muslims throw stones at three stone pillars
which represent Satan. Then they make a final seven circles around the kA'bah.
Id ul-Adha: The Hajj, whether on pilgrimage or at home, ends with the festival of Id ul-Adha in which a sheep or
goat is sacrificed. This is a reminder of the sacrifice Ibrahim (Abraham) was asked to make of his son, Isma'il (Ishmael).
When Ibrahim was just about to sacrifice his son to show his obedience to God, God provided a lamb instead. The
festival celebrates God's mercy and Ibrahim's obedience. This story in different versions is in the Koran, the Bible, and
the Old Testament which shows the common heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Id Ul-Ghadir: This festival in Shia communities around the world celebrates the anniversary of the Holy Prophet
Mohammed's completion of his final message to humankind with regard to his succession. Ghadir-e-Khun is the famous
place where this event took place during the month of Hajj in the 10th year of the Hijra, or migration, of the Prophet
Mohammed from Mecca to Medina.
Milad an-Nabi (birthday of the Holy Prophet): Muslims celebrate this occasion with great rejoicing. Muslims
gather to narrate the stories of the Prophet's birth, childhood, his character, manhood and his mission.
Lailat al-Qadr (Night of Power): The night in which the prophet Mohammed received the first revelation from
God. The Night of Power is one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. A portion of this night is
spent reading the Qur'an and making special prayers.
Islam: Sacred Spaces
Although Muslims pray five times daily in their homes or wherever they are, in fact even in the streets, Muslims
also worship in mosques. Mosques can be very elaborate, large structures or very simple ones. However most have
these common features.
Sahn — a courtyard surrounded by arcades called riwags. There are fountains of water inside the courtyard to
symbolize purity and where worshippers can bathe before entering the mosque.
Minaret-- a tower from which the muezzin calls Muslims to prayer. The minaret looks down on the sahn.
Mihrab — an empty arch which indicates the direction of Mecca.
Minbar -- a pulpit from which the imam (prayer leader) gives the sermon and leads prayers.
zulla or prayer hall off the sahn.
Mosques are decorated with a special kind of art. Muslims do not believe in making images of Allah,
Muhammad, any other prophets, or any person or animal. There are two reasons for this. One is that the worship of
images is forbidden in Islam. The other reason is that no artist's representation of Allah's creation would be able to show
its true beauty. It is a way of honoring Allah.
So, instead, Islamic artists use geometric shapes and patterns on their walls, floors, in their holy books, and on
other decorative items. Islamic mosques are known for incredible complex mosaic work. This medium suits the
geometric nature of Islamic art. Stars and crescents are also found on mosques and are symbols associated with Islam.
The crescent comes from the fact that Islam has a lunar calendar. In the Koran, stars are often signs from Allah.
Judaism: Festivals and Celebrations
Jewish festivals and celebrations center around important events in the history of the Jews.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival which usually takes place in September or October.
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement during which Jewish people fast, pray, and atone for their sins, asking God
for forgiveness. This happens ten days after Rosh Hashanah.
Passover or Pesach is in the Spring and marks the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, the giving of the
ten commandments and the journey to Israel. The Hagaddah, which is the story of the exodus from Egypt, is read at this
celebration, which takes the form of a ritual meal. There are many ritual objects which enable the family to experience
the Exodus as they sit around the dinner table.
Hanukkah is the festival of lights. It is held in late November or December. When the temple was rededicated
after a period of persecution, the eternal light was rekindled but there was only enough oil for a few days. Miraculously,
the oil lasted for eight days, until more oil could be found. The Menorah, a candelabra with eight candles representing
the eight days, plus an additional candle to light the others, is a central focus for prayers said during the nights of
Hanukkah.
Important passges in Jewish life are marked by special observances. There are specific traditions for the birth of
a child and for when someone dies.
Bar mitzvah and Bat mitzvah ceremonies mark a child's thirteenth birthday (in some traditions, a girl's twelfth
birthday). The first act of adulthood is reading from the Torah scroll during services.
All Jewish holy days begin at sundown and end at sundown. The Shabbat begins at sundown each Friday and
lasts until dark on Saturday. There is a special Sabbath meal which includes special foods, songs and readings and
prayers. Families hold this ceremony together, beginning with the blessing of Shabbat candles, wine and bread (challah).
Judaism: Sacred Spaces and Places
Israel itself is a very sacred place to Jewish people. Jews who do not live there try to visit at some point in their
lives. In particular, Jerusalem is important because it is the ancient capital of Israel and the site of the original temple.
The Western Wall of the ancient temple remains. This is where the tablets that Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai with
the ten commandments were stored in a golden box called the Ark of the Covenant. Jewish people make pilgrimages to
this wall. It is also called the Wailing Wall because people grieve the destruction of the temple and other persecution of
the Jews.
Jewish people worship in synagogues. A synagogue is a center for Jewish life - not just worshipping, but
education and community. Synagogue services are led by a rabbi and usually a cantor, who sings traditional and
contemporary melodies. There are prayers, songs, chants and readings, as well as a sermon or discussion by the rabbi or
members of the community. Some Jewish people go to the synagogue daily, some weekly on Shabbat, and some
periodically on Shabbat and on special holy days. Some rituals, like the blessing said at the Shabbat meal and the
observance of Passover, take place in Jewish homes.
Name:
World Religions Culture Worksheet
Buddhism: Worship Traditions, Celebrations and Festivals
1. What is the name of the ceremony that celebrates buddha’s birth and how is it celebrated?
2. What time of year is Vassa practiced and for what reason is it observed?
3. What is the festival of the sacred tooth all about?
Buddhism: Sacred Places and Spaces
4. Is it okay for a Buddhist to simply observe at home? Explain.
5. Where might a Buddhist go on a pilgrimage to and why?
6. Who live in a Sangha?
Christian Festivals and Celebrations
7. What is the difference between Advent and Christmas?
8. What is the difference between lent, holly week and easter?
Christianity: Sacred Spaces and Places
9. What happens in a Christian mass?
10. What do Christian churches look like?
Hinduism: Festivals and Celebrations
11. What are the three main yearly festivals and how are they celebrated?
Hinduism: Sacred Spaces and Places
12. What is the most sacred part of a hindu mandir and what is housed there?
13. What is a puja and how does it work?
14. What happens at the Ganges?
Islam: Festivals and Celebrations
15. Can you explain the hajj and the two other festivals that are connected to it?
Islam: Sacred Spaces
16. How are mosques decorated?
Judaism: Festivals and Celebrations
17. Why is Passover celebrated?
18. Why is Hanukah Celebrated?
Judaism: Sacred Spaces and Places
19. Why is the western wall a pilgrimage site?
20. Describe what you would find if you entered a synagogue.