Buddhist places of Worship in Britain and elsewhere

Question 1

What religion did Buddhism develop alongside in India?

Answer 1

Hinduism

Question 2

Why did Buddhism merge with cultures and traditions from Asia and its neighbours?

Answer 2

Because it spread through most of modern day:

• China
• India
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Burma/Myanmar
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand
• Tibet
• Vietnam

Question 3

Where (except for Asia) can communities of Buddhist monks be found?

Answer 3

• Europe

- America

Question 4

Why is there so much variation between Buddhist Temples and Viharas?

Answer 4

Because of the way they have merged a little with local cultures and traditions.

Question 5

What did Viharas used to contain?

Answer 5

• Shrines

- Temples

Question 6

Do Viharas have a blueprint?

Answer 6

No they are free to deviate as local culture or tradition dictates, however there are key features that most have.

Question 7

What are the 7 key features of a Vihara?

Answer 7

• Accommodation
• Dining Hall
• Classroom
• Library
• Meditation Hall
• Bodhi Tree
• Stupas

Question 8

Why is there accommodation in a Vihara?

Answer 8

• Would provide a place for Bhikkus to sleep and live.
• Can take the form of a dormitory.
• Mahayanan Vihara’s may have accommodation for Bhikkunis as well.
• Provide shelter for visitors or lay Buddhists stayng for retreats or meditation instruction.

Question 9

What is the significance of the dining hall?

Answer 9

• Place for communal eating
• Meals are often taken in silence.
• For Theravadan Bhikkus all meals are taken before midday.

Question 10

Why is there a classroom?

Answer 10

• In some Buddhist countries the Viharas are the best place for general schooling of children.
• Good place for training of Bhikkus or Bhikkunis.
• Can be used for Instructing lay Buddhists about the way of the dhamma.

Question 11

What are the important texts in Buddhism?

Answer 11

• The sacred texts of Buddhism are called the TIPITAKA, meaning ‘3 baskets’
• They were written on palm leaves and stored in baskets.
• They are divided into 3 groups
• Most Viharas try to have the sacred texts in their library

Question 12

What is the library in the Vihara for?

Answer 12

• Storing the TIPITAKA
• [Theravadan] for the DHAMMAPADA
• [Mahayanan] for the Lotus Sutra and Heart Sutra

Question 13

What is the importance of the meditation hall?

Answer 13

• For performing PUJA (Buddhist devotional practice).
• There would be a shrine or a statue of the Buddha, to help focus the mind and prvide an example of how he achieved enlightenment.
• Mahayanan shrines would be very elaborate and have statues of BODHISATTVAS such as AVALOKITTESVARA and MANJUSHRI.
• There might be very small stupas in the meditation hall

Question 14

What is the Bodhi Tree for and where is it?

Answer 14

• In the viharas garden
• Because Gautama achieved enlightenment under the fig tree at Bodh gaya.
• The tree reminds people of what he Buddha achieved and encourages them to practice meditation.

Question 15

What is a Stupa?

Answer 15

• A dome shaped structure which can be very small or very large.
• They represent the Buddha.
• Some Stupas also have Buddhist relics inside them.
• Often places of burial are marked by Stupas.

Question 16

What would one find within a typical Buddhist shrine?

Answer 16

• Statue of the Buddha
• Flowers
• Candles
• Incense
• Offerings

Question 17

Whats the importance of the statue of the Buddha within the Shrine?

Answer 17

• Focal point of the shrine
• There are many different statues of the Buddha often reflecting the culture and country where the shrine is found.
• Those found in Therevadan shrines tend to be simpler than those found in Mahayanan shrines.
• Can be covered with gold leaf or painted gold.
• Some may be of vast size whilst others are ancient and hold specific significance.
• Can symbolise Buddha teaching
• Can symbolise the Buddha as a historical figure
• For many it symbolises following the dhamma and meditating to achieve enlightenment and nirvana like the Buddha.

Question 18

Where is the biggest statue of the Buddha in Britain?

Answer 18

-Conishead Priory in Ulverston (A vihara and temple built upon Tibetan Mahayanan traditions)

Question 19

Importance of Flowers?

Answer 19

• Given as an offering
• Add beauty and decoration
• Symbolic of ANNICA (one of the 3 LAKSHANAS) which means that everything is impermanent and always subject to change.
• Artificial flowers can never be used.

Question 20

Importance of Candles?

Answer 20

• Provide light
• Symbolic of enlightenment as taught by the Buddha.
• Symbolic also of the dhamma which helps to answer the problem of Dukkha.

Question 21

Importance of Incense?

Answer 21

• Burnt in front of the Buddha
• Drives away bad odours
• Symbolic of a person cleansing their mind of the 3 POISONS.
• Form of preparation for approaching the Buddha and focussing on the dhamma.
• Just as sweet smoke spreads, so does the positive message of the dhamma.

Question 22

Importance of offerings?

Answer 22

• DANA (generosity) is one of the 6 PARAMITAS (perfections)
• Is a way of cleansing the mind of one of the 3 poisons- Greed.
• Depending on culture can be food offerings that are given to Bhikkus/Bhikkunis. eg. Thailand [Theravadan] Bhikkus go out onto streets with their alms bowl to collect food from the Lay people.
• Can be put in front of Buddha statue as a symbol of gratitude.

Question 23

Are Temples or Viharas neccesary?

Answer 23

YES

• Provides a focus for the SANGHA (Buddhist community)
• Weddings and funerals take place here.
• An important place for learning.
• Can raise awareness of Buddhism in the wider community.

NO

• Puja can be performed at home with a personal shrine.
• Buddha did not say that Buddhists have to visit a Vihara or temple.
• Important part of being Buddhist is that meditation can take place anywhere.