buddhism : practices Flashcards
temple
a place where buddhists come together to practise. it has:
a main hall, containing a buddha rupa - statue
a meditation hall, a quiet space
a study hall, meetings and lectures
a shrine for the buddha
a stupa, a tower containing remains or relics
shrine
found in a temple, monastery or home
focal point for meditation and expressing devotion
make offerings to show gratitude
things offered at shrines
light - drives away the darkness of ignorance
flowers - wilt and decay - impermanence
incense - purity
monasteries
a place where buddhists monks or nuns live a simple disciplined life of study meditation and devotion.
types of buddist worship (puja)
meditation
offerings bowing
mantras
private - in the home
chanting
rituals and ceremonies carried out in groups
chanting
it used to be used to memorise and pass on teachings and texts
devotional practise
helps to calm and focus the mind
mantras
concentrate the mind
short sequence of sacred syllables
some believe that they have magical powers
often associated with the spiritual powers of a bodhisattva or a buddha.
may be recited using mala beads
samatha meditation
calming the mind, developing a deeper concentration
can focus on breathing or a kasina - other objects including elements like fire, water, earth and colours like red and yellow.
“remain in the simplicity of the present moment” - a buddhist monk
vipassana meditation
deepening understanding of the nature of reality, insight meditation
changing focus between a range of different objects, emotions, experiences
aim - to understand it’s true nature and how it is characterised by the three marks of existence
zazen
seated meditation, deeper understanding of the nature of existence
-sitting, relaxing, mindfulness of breath
-awareness of the present moment
walking meditation
walking slowly and combining the movement of the feet with the in and out of the breath
“your objective is to gain total alertness and a full, unblocked experience of the motion of walking”
visualisation
-the meditator imagines an object
-they try to imagine the object in great detail, examining all the qualities and characteristics of it
-functions as a focus of concentration
-object may connect with spiritual qualities
deity visualisation
tibetan buddhists often visualise a deity (an enlightened buddha/bodhisattva)
and it’s spiritual qualities
visualising themselves as a buddha may help buddhists to awaken their buddha-nature
the medicine buddha
the buddha of healing
visualising them may reduce suffering and even promote healing powers
avalokiteshvara
bodhisattva of compassion
visualising them helps buddhists develop a sense of compassion
buddha amitabha
pure land buddhists may visualise him in the hope that he will help them be reborn in the pure land
thangka
a detailed painting of a buddha or bodhisattva, helps buddhists to visualise and call to mind a deity
mandala
an intricate colourful circle-shaped pattern representing buddhist principles of teachings, may symbolise the universe, buddha or bodhisattva, pure land or paradise
theravada funerals
little money is spent
family and friends donate to a worthy cause and transfer merit to the deceased
at the funeral, a shrine may display their portrait along with the buddhas
may be cremated or buried, cremation is more common
funerals in tibet
sky burial is traditional
body left in a high place as a gift to the vultures
cremation is now more common
revered teachers remains placed in a stupa
ceremonies involving offerings of yak-butter lamps may be made every 7 days for 49 days after death
funerals in japan
coffin placed with the head pointing west toward sukhavati. amitabhas name is chanted
relatives may gather after cremation and pick out the bones from the ashes with chopsticks
remains kept for 49 days, prayers every 7th day
festivals
allow buddhists to celebrate important events in the history of buddhism
retreats
provide an opportunity for intensive practice
wesak
commemorates buddhas birth enlightenment and death
light is used to symbolise hope enlightenment and overcoming ignorance
