buddhism practices

Question 1

what is in a temple?

Answer 1

-gompa(building where they meditate)
-stupa(building containing holy relics)
-shrine(area with statue of buddha(buddha rupa))
-monastery(building where monks live)

Question 2

what do buddhists do at the temple and why are they important

Answer 2

-provide right atmosphere for worship =better focus to meditate
-pray to buddha’s bodhisattvas and listen to talks given by monks

Question 3

what is in a shrine

Answer 3

-statue of buddha
-offering of candle (light), flowers (impermanence - “all things are not self), incense (pure thoughts)

Question 4

why are shrines important

Answer 4

-focal point for meditation
-express respect, thanks
-“time required to keep shrine clean with flowers…is a skillful activity.” tibetan monk

Question 5

what is in a monastery

Answer 5

-buildings where monks/nuns live
-study buddhist teachings & practice meditation
-stupas=holy relics of buddha/remains

Question 6

why are monasteries important

Answer 6

-provides for needs
-live simple lives

Question 7

why is worship better at the temple

Answer 7

-heart of the community and life. provide support
-can study, meditate and give offerings to monks
-shrines are a focal point

Question 8

why is worship better at home

Answer 8

-less distractions at home
-less travel time (can be done at any time)
-more individual connection with the buddha and more comfort in expressing gratitude

Question 9

why are mantras important

Answer 9

-focus mind
-develop + helps to be connected with quality of compassion
-‘om mani padme’

Question 10

why is meditation important

Answer 10

-“resolutely train yourself go attain peace”
-develop a still, calm mind
-deeper insight into nature of reality
-develop metta and compassion
-“even the gods envy those awakened”

Question 11

what is samatha meditation

Answer 11

-use to become calming and mindful
-breath used as focus of attention
-use a kasina (small object) to focus on
-“breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness”

Question 12

why is samatha meditation important

Answer 12

-creates calm mind to develop deeper concentration
-prepares for vipassana meditation
-“do not encumber your mind with useless thoughts…remain in simplicity of the moment” diligo rinpoche

Question 13

what is vipassana meditation

Answer 13

-aim is to gain insight into nature of reality and reflect on 3 marks of existence
-focus on objects such as body parts they dont like to develop detachment from body
-will feel emotions

Question 14

why is vipassana meditation important

Answer 14

-creates disciplined mind
-gain insight into true reality of nature
-develop greater wisdom and awareness
-“meditation brings wisdom;lack of meditation leaves ignorance”(buddha)

Question 15

what are the different types of worship

Answer 15

-meditation
-offerings at shrines
-reciting mantras
-chanting sacred texts
-private worship

Question 16

why is worship important

Answer 16

-show gratitude to buddha and acceptance of his teachings
-help develop understanding of teachings
-be wiser and compassionate

Question 17

why is chanting important

Answer 17

-used to memorise buddhists teachings
-devotional practice
-calm, focus mind and increase concentration

Question 18

why are mantras important

Answer 18

-sacred syllables chanted during meditation
-focus the mind
-linked with developing qualities of buddha
-use mala beads
-e.g. om mani padme hum

Question 19

what is zazen and walking meditation

Answer 19

-seated meditation and leads to understanding nature of existence=meditator returns to moment of awareness
-walking= used as part of samatha/vipassana

Question 20

what is visualisation meditation (mahayana)

Answer 20

-meditator looks at objects, examine qualities, get rid of image and try to imagine it in their mind
-helps concentration
-connect with spiritual qualities

Question 21

what is deity visualisation

Answer 21

-tibetan buddhists visualise a deity (an enlightened being)
-focus on what deity looks like and spiritual qualities
-imagine themselves as deity to awaken buddha nature

Question 22

what are thangkas/mandalas

Answer 22

-thangkas= detailed painting of buddha/bodhisattva
-helps deity visualisation
-mandalas= intricate circle shapes pattern
-monks make complicated mandalas and brush it away to focus on impermanence and get rid of attachment

Question 23

what happens at tibetan death ceremonies

Answer 23

-read bardo thodol for 49 days to prepare them for next life
-sky burial = anatta- no fixed self
-or cremate body

Question 24

whats happens are japan death ceremonies (pure land)

Answer 24

-flowers, incense and candles placed at death bed
-body washed and head places west (sukhavati)
-chant Amitabha’s name as they walk around coffin “namo amida bu”
-pick bones out of ashes
-times to reflect and remember anicca

Question 25

what are theravada death ceremonies

Answer 25

-little money spent
-transfer merit and gain good karma by donating
-shrine has offerings and displays deceased’s portrait and image of buddha
-cremated
-monks visit family home for better rebirth

Question 26

importance of retreats/festivals

Answer 26

-retreat=period of time spent away from regular life to focus on teachings
-Theravada monks observe vassa (yearly retreat to dedicate more time to meditate)
-involves meditation, talks, study groups
-“for wisdom and insight to grow we need time and space” (lama thubten yeshe)
-festivals=meet and practice together and remember buddhas teachings

Question 27

why is parinirvana day important

Answer 27

-read/study mahaparinirvana sutra
-meditate and worship
-go on retreat to reflect
-pilgrimage to kushinagar, india as they believe he passed there

Question 28

what is parinirvana day

Answer 28

-feb = remember buddhas passing into final state of nirvana
-solemn occasion = reflect on own future death and remember relatives who passed
-focus on impermanence

Question 29

what happens on wesak

Answer 29

-light homes with candles=hope, enlightenment and overcoming ignorance
-make offerings to buddha
-worship,meditate
-caged animals released (singapore)
-passages read from mahayana scriptures

Question 30

why is wesak important

Answer 30

-remembers 3 important events of buddhas life=birth, enlightenment, death
-remembers his teachings
-make offerings
-worship,meditate

Question 31

what is karuna

Answer 31

-one of the 4 states of sublimes
-compassion=feeling concern for others and wanting to help them reduce suffering
-“the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion” (dalai lama)

Question 32

why is karuna important

Answer 32

-one of the four sublime states
-develop good karma
-important for mahayana buddhists=become bodhisattvas who show compassion by staying in cycle of samsara

Question 33

what are the 4 states of sublime

Answer 33

1. loving kindness
2. compassion
3. sympathetic joy
4. equanimity
   -explain how buddhists should act towards themselves and others

Question 34

what is ROPKA

Answer 34

-tibetan word= friend/help
-motivated by acting compassionately
-works in zimbabwe, tibet, nepal
-helps run schools to provide education
-aims to help people in poverty

Question 35

what is the karuna trust

Answer 35

-inspired by buddhists value
-aims to end discrimination, poverty and inequality in india/nepal
-aims to give everyone decent work and basic education

Question 36

what is metta

Answer 36

-one of the 4 sublime states
-loving/kindness showing loving/kind friendly attitude towards themselves and others
-wish for all to be happy without expecting anything in return
-can be developed through loving kindness meditation
-“one should cultivate loving kindness towards all the world”(pali canon)