Buddhism: Worship
Buddhist Temple
• Temples (sometimes
referred to as a Wat)
can be found all over
the world.
• They do not have to
be a specific design –
they can be as simple
or as elaborate as
you like
Buddhist Stupa
• A burial ground where
holy people are buried.
• Many Buddhists go to
stupas to pray. Because
they represent the areas
in India where the
Buddha’s ashes were
buried.
Temples in Bhutan and Sri-Lanka
Home Shrine
• Buddhists will often set
aside a room or part of a
room as a shrine.
• There will often be a statue
of Buddha, candles, and
an incense burner, as well
as offerings made to
Buddha.
Pilgrimage
• Like Hinduism, many Buddhists
feel that visiting place where the
Buddha lived and taught helps
them to follow their religion.
• Some holy places include the
Buddha’s birthplace (Nepal),
where he achieved
enlightenment (India) and
where his ashes were sprinkled
(10 places throughout India)
• Buddhist Temple Video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV4yjdrC
69E
www.buddhisttemple.ca
How to Worship in Temples…
• Buddhists will take their shoes off
when entering a temple (for
cleanliness and as a sign of
respect)
• Worship in temples is usually led by
the monks, although you can also
worship at home or in groups
• Buddhist worship includes giving
offerings (candles, flowers, etc)
• Much of the worship will be
meditation, usually on mats on the
floor
• They will usually chant mantras to
help concentration / bring good
kamma
Sights & Sounds: Ringing Bells
• Bells are used at the
beginning of worship to
signal when to start. It is
also used as a signal of
change during worship.
• Some Buddhists also
believe the sound is
symbolic as it spreads
around the room,
reminding them of the
effects of kamma.
Sights & Sounds: Prayer Wheels
• Prayer Wheels are
used to focus the
mind during Tibetan
Buddhist meditation.
• The turning of the
wheel moves prayers
and mantras held
inside, and this is
believed to bring good
kamma
Sights & Sounds: Buddha Image
• There will always be a
Buddha Image in any
shrine, at home or in
a temple
• The image is revered
as a sign of devotion
to Buddhism and to
inspire people to
follow his teachings
Sights & Sounds: Burning of
Incense
• Incense is used
during worship, not
only for it’s nice smell,
but it reminds them of
the law of kamma.
• The smell spreads
around the room, like
the consequences of
our actions will have
effects all over the
world.
Sights & Sounds: Offering of
Flowers
• Flowers are used in
worship to remind
Buddhists of the most
important Buddhist
teaching – that nothing
lasts forever.
• The flower is fresh and
beautiful, but it will soon
wilt and die –
everything constantly
changes.
Sights & Sounds: Lit Candles
• Candles represent
the light of wisdom,
shining to light the
right path through life.
• This is the main shrine
in a Tibetan Buddhist
Temple.
• Look for the objects of
worship – how many
can you see?
Why do Buddhists Worship?
Some people wonder what the point in worship is if
Buddhists are not worshipping / trying to please
a God like other religions do.
Buddhist worship is for:
• Helping develop concentration and become
better at meditation
• Developing a deeper understanding of their
religion through communal and individual activity
• Giving time to reflecting on the concepts of the
religion, and considering the symbolic aspects of
the activity.
• Inspiring and helping people achieve more in
their religion
Meditation
• Meditation is about the
mind and its purification. It is
a technique for developing
the right concentration
which can only be acquired
through direct experience,
and not from reading alone.
• The purpose of meditation is
to calm the wandering of our
minds.
• In detail, meditating is the adjustment of the body,
breath, and mind.
• The first adjustment is the Body:Sit upright, with legs
crossed and hands on your knees. Gently close your
eyes. Keep your back straight and your head upright. If
you cannot cross your legs, you may sit on a chair.
• The second adjustment is the Breath – breathing is one
of the most important steps in meditation: Concentrate
on the spot where air enters the nostrils.
• The third adjustment is the Mind: Be conscious of your
breath as you inhale and exhale. When air comes in,
touching the insides of your nose, count "one" in your
mind. Do not count when the air exits the nostrils. Count
to ten in this method and then repeat from "one".
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lAvTcMXCg4