buddhist important festivals, symbols and landmarks

Question 1

What is a parasol?

Answer 1

A light umbrella

Question 2

What is the significance of the parasol in Buddhist religion?

Answer 2

Symbol of protection/royalty (in ancient times a parasol was a status symbol only the rich/elite could have). Also symbolises honour and respect. Vajrayana Buddhism has a goddess called Sitapatra (literally ‘the white umbrella’).

Question 3

What is the significance of two golden fishes?

Answer 3

The golden fishes represent happiness, good fertility and salvation. The use of the fishes represent how all living sentient beings in a state of fearlessness are saved from the ocean of suffering of earthly existence. Fish are used to represent the complete liberty of movement they have in the water as well as freedom from how they mingle freely. The pair of fishes symbolise conjoined harmony and loyalty, with braces of fish being traditionally given as a wedding present.

Question 4

What is the significance of the treasure vase?

Answer 4

Symbol of wealth, prosperity, wisdom, longevity, and health, however it also means liberation of the mind.

Question 5

What is the significance of the lotus flower?

Answer 5

Symbol of purity
Symbol of fortune
Symbolises purification from dirty roots and faithfulness in those who are willing to work hard to achieve a desired path
Origins of lotus is that they grow in muddy waters, and something this pure shouldn’t be able to grow in such areas
Fully bloomed lotus flower signifies enlightenment
Closed lotus bud signifies a time before enlightenment
Different colour lotuses represent different things

Question 6

What is the significance of the conch shell?

Answer 6

The Conch shell represents the power or authority of Buddha’s teaching that had spread in all directions, following the sound of the conch shell. It was a symbol that proclaimed the truth of the Dharma, the universal truths that the Buddha had declared.

A conch was used as it represented signs of the Buddha’s body that included his deep and resonant conch-like voice, which resounded throughout the ten directions of space

Question 7

What is the significance of the ‘Endless Knot’

Answer 7

The Endless knot, or eternal knot, is a symbol of Buddha’s endless wisdom and compassion. It represents how all phenomena are attached together as a cycle of cause and effect, which is wear karma comes from. Having no gaps in the symbol represents harmony and simplicity.

Question 8

What is the signficance of the victory banner?

Answer 8

The Victory Banner represents the Buddha’s victory over the four maras; mara is the interferences that stop us from reaching better rebirths or enlightenment.It is a traditional symbol of good fortune and represents the perfect nature of the dharma, longevity, and prosperity. i

Question 9

What is the significance of the wheel in Buddhism?

Answer 9

The wheel is the wheel of transformation or spiritual change. It represents the ability for the wheel to cut through all obstacles and illusions. It also represents the perfection of Buddha’s teachings, the Dharma, as it is in a perfect circle/round shape.Represents the eightfold path of Buddha;s teaching

Question 10

What is the festival Magha Puja?

Answer 10

It occurs on the Full Moon day of the third lunar month.

The aim of the day is to only do good things such as gift exchanges, lighting of oil lamps, chanting, meditation, attending temple
for special observances and participating in Buddhist activities. They also do these activities to purify the mind For some Buddhist communities, there may be a series of meetings to discuss various aspects of the teachings, periods of group meditation, talks given by senior members of the community (both resident and visiting) and a variety of other events - often quite spontaneous - over a period of several days.
Historically was the celebration of the birth of the Sangha

Question 11

What is the festival of Vesak?

Answer 11

Occurs on the Full Moon day in May. It is a celebration of the Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment and death. They decorate temples with lotus flowers and other decorations. They bathe the Buddha, and are told to refrain from killing things on the day. Buddhists also bring small offerings to lay on the feet of their teacher

Question 12

What are some Buddhist rituals? (5)

Answer 12

Chanting
Using Mala beads
Meditation
Bowing
Bathing the Buddha

Question 13

What is the festival of the Buddhist New Year?

Answer 13

The time that it happens depends on the school of Buddhism the country.

Key date on the Buddhist calendar associated with renewal and purification. Homes are cleaned, symbolically cleaning away everything bad in the previous year and welcoming fresh and auspicious opportunities in the new year. It is common for people to make visits to temples and other places of worship, and to aspire for health, success and peace.
New beginnings, new cycles and renew the cycle to enlightenment

Question 14

What is the festival of Kathina?

Answer 14

Occurs at the end of the monsoon period in October and November

Theravadan festival for lay people to make offerings to monks and nuns (i.e. enough cloth to make new robes), and gifts are given to the sangha as a whole and then distributed accordingly. Usually ends on a full moon and lasts for about a month. Chance for people to reaffirm their commitment to the hierarchy (i.e. monks and nuns)

Question 15

What is the festival of Loi Krathong?

Answer 15

It is celebrated on the Full Moon of the 12th Thai month.

This is an annual festival which is celebrated by Thailand/South East Asia to pay respect to the Goddess of Water and the Buddha. As part of this festival, a common ritual is to create/buy krathongs which are small lotus shaped boats made by banana leaves and flowers, in the middle are sticks of incense, and a lit candle. On the evening of the festival, Thai people gather around bodies of waters (typically rivers, lake, canals) to release the Krathongs. This is done as a way to thank the goddess of water and ask for forgiveness for using too much water and contaminating it. It also gets rid of negativity from the previous years and usher in good fortune in the coming year.

Question 16

What is the festival of Ulambana?

Answer 16

It is typically held on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar.

In Chinese culture, it is believed that on this day, the doors of Hell and Heaven are opened to the living, and thus ghosts, spirits including deceased ancestors come to visit the living. Thus giving it the name Ghost Festival. Some rituals which are conducted on this day include preparing ritualistic food offerings for the dead, burning incense, as well as having empty seats during meals for those who have been deceased, miniature paper boats and lanterns are also released on water

Question 17

What is the celebration of Songkran?

Answer 17

It is held on the 13th of April every year

Songkran is a festival which is celebrated in Thailand and celebrates the start of the Buddhist New Year Rituals in this festival include water fights, and parades to celebrate the Thai New Year. Thailand is well known for their big water fights on this day all in all celebrating Songkran. The masses of water used represent the water cleansing the soul and purity.
Marks the official position of Buddhism in Thailand as the official religion.

Question 18

What is the ritual of meditation?

Answer 18

Meditation is a practice in which an individual focusses the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. In Buddhism, this can be done to attempt to open themselves up to higher state of spiritual awareness

Question 19

Why do people bow in Buddhism?

Answer 19

Buddhism, bowing is a physical expression of the Buddha’s teaching. It is a dropping away of the ego and whatever we are clinging to. Also, bowing to those in higher positions is a sign of respect.

Question 20

What is the meaning behind the bathing of the Buddha?

Answer 20

The meaning behind the bathing of the Buddha is to symbolise the cleansing of the body, speech and thought to eradicate thoughts of anger, greed and ignorance to purify the mind. For the ritual, it is expected to kneel in front of the Buddha before pouring water over the shoulder saying:

May I eliminate evil thoughts
May I cultivate good deeds
May I help save human beings

Question 21

Why do Buddhist’s do the ritual of chanting?

Answer 21

Chanting involves the repetition of sayings over and over again. These sayings are known as ‘mantras’. These mantras typically contain the Buddha’s teachings, and through the repetition of these mantras, are able to memorise the teachings of the Buddha and therefore get closer to reaching Enlightenment.

Question 22

What is the ritual of using Mala (prayer beads)?

Answer 22

They are used to help count the number of times a mantra has been chanted.

Question 23

What is the purpose of using incense sticks?

Answer 23

It serves a form of symbolism for the fragrance to the heavens.

Question 24

What is the purpose of partaking in individual practices and rituals in Buddhism?

Answer 24

It is used to enable Buddhists to become more deeply devoted to Buddhism and open themselves to understanding the Dhamma (Dharma). By partaking in these rituals either at home or in a place of worship, a Buddhist will make it part of their daily life and practice

Question 25

Why are religious symbols important? (4)

Answer 25

They help you remember certain things (through iconography).

They have a function- Allows for those in other cultures to easily understand certain aspects of the religion despite language barriers

Identity - gives groups distinguishing symbols for identifying who is part of the group

It grounds the belief system in the world - tangible reminder or ‘anchor’ for the belief/practice

Question 26

Why are religious landmarks so important?

Answer 26

Confirmation of the existence of certain parts of the religion

It confirms the dedication of the adherent to the religion due to the fact that they are willing to travel so far to reach the landmark and pay homages there

It is also a confirmation of the person’s religious identity

Question 27

What is the significance of the Mahbodhi temple in Bodhgaya?

Answer 27

This place is said to be the place where Buddha moved to and was determined not to move from until he discovered the Secret of Enlightenment. Basically saying that the Bodhi Tree was there. This turned into a shrine to remember the Buddha. It is important for adherents as it is a physical confirmation of the place where the Buddha discovered the secret to Enlightenment

Question 28

What is the significance of the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal?

Answer 28

It is said to be the place where Buddha died and was buried. This stupa is considered to be a highly blessed place. It represents the reincarnation of the Buddha’s mind. The importance of this landmark is that it is a place where adherents go around the stupa as a form of meditation.

It also connects the adherent to Buddhism even deeper because it is said to be the burial site of the Buddha.

Question 29

What is the significance of the Temple of the Tooth in Buddhism?

Answer 29

The tooth is a relic which is held at the temple, and it determines the right to rule. So in this case, the landmark gives power. The tooth is symbolically bathed and the water afterwards is considered to have healing properties. It is also believed that the temple exacerbates Buddha’s presence on the world.

It is important for adherents as it allows for a personal connection to Buddhism and Buddha. It creates a sense of social gathering and increases the connection to Buddhism, making it tangible and real

Question 30

What is the significance of the Wat Pho Temple in Thailand?

Answer 30

Here, the Buddhist idol is representative of the Middle Path. The gold on the Buddhist idol represents the sun or fire.

This is important as it forges a strong identity between people and Buddhism

Question 31

What is the significance of the Angkor Wat Temple?

Answer 31

The Angkor Wat Temple is a representation of Hindu cosmology.

Question 32

What is the significance of the Giant Buddha?

Answer 32

It symbolises the relationship between the people and nature. Here, the Buddha is sitting in the Lotus position which symbolises beauty. There is a variety of symbols which are placed on the Giant Buddha, each having their own meaning.

It helps form the relationship between the adherents and Buddhism

Question 33

What is the significance of the Hsi Lai Temple?

Answer 33

In this temple, adherents are able to put their name on Buddha in parts of the temple. This increases the connection between Buddha and the adherent, thus bringing hope that Enlightenment will be able to be achieved.