Buddhist Practices Flashcards
Describe the nature and importance of temples
These places allow communities of Buddhists to come together. By coming together, they can deepen their faith and feel a sense of belonging with others who are on a similar spiritual journey.
Describe the nature and importance of shrines
These remind Buddhists of the key teachings of Buddhism. Buddhists may offer flowers at a shrine. As the flowers wilt and die, they are a reminder of the impermanence of all things.
Describe the nature and importance of monasteries
These allow the laity to support the monks and nuns. Monasteries are focused on the principle of giving. By helping the monks and nuns, the laity gain good karma.
Describe the nature and importance of halls for meditation
Meditation is paramount for Buddhists. The Buddha taught that meditation can lead to
nibbana. Buddhists therefore have a designated quiet space in order to practise their meditation.
Describe the nature and importance of halls for learning
Buddhists aim to understand what the Buddha achieved in his lifetime. In halls for learning, important stories are told and occasionally performed as methods to achieve learning in Buddhist Dhamma (Dharma)
Define Puja and state how it influences Buddhists
Puja is the name for ceremonies that involve offerings, or gifts. During these ceremonies, there will also be meditation and prayer
Puja enables Buddhists to express how grateful they are to the Buddha for what he taught. This allows them to show respect for his teachings
Define Samatha meditation and explain its significance
This is known as calming meditation and Buddhists believe that it leads to deeper concentration. It’s important as it allows Buddhists to let go of cravings and therefore achieve nibbana
It focuses on mindfulness of breathing
Define Vipassana meditation and explain its significance
This is known as insight meditation. When a Buddhist meditates, they believe they can see things as they really are. This allows them to gain realisation and understand the impermanence of things and the nature of reality
Define visualisation
Buddhists imagine the Buddha as a way of understanding Buddhist teachings
Tibetan Buddhists often use visualisation in meditation with the aim of imagining the Buddha so that they can understand the true nature of existence and become awakened
Describe what happens at Tibetan death ceremonies
They may have a sky burial (high up a hill) where the bodies are left outside, so they may be eaten by animals such as vultures
This is important as Tibetans believe that vultures help the process of rebirth in the cycle of samsara
Describe what happens in Pure Land death ceremonies
They may include a funeral service of the kind often used in other religious traditions
The body is placed in a coffin and there may be readings from Buddhist scripture
Describe what happens at Theravada death ceremonies
Theravada Buddhists prefer to donate to charity or other worthy causes
This is because they believe in ‘transfer of merit’, which means they can pass on the positive effects of good deeds to people who have died
They see this as a more positive experience than mourning
What is Wesak and how does it influence Buddhists?
Wesak celebrates the birth of the Buddha and commemorates the three major events in his life, which were his birth, his enlightenment and his death
It’s celebrated in several ways, including by releasing paper lanterns. This symbolises the light to the path of enlightenment through overcoming the darkness of ignorance
Theravada Buddhists may also release caged birds, which symbolises the Buddha’s release from the cycle of samsara
What is Parinirvana Day and how does it influence Buddhists?
Parinirvana Day is concerned with the Buddha’s death and when he achieved final nibbana
It allows Buddhists the opportunity to think about their own immortality and death
Mahayana Buddhists may go on a pilgrimage to Kushinagar to give thanks to the Buddha
Define Karma and how it influences Buddhists
Buddhists believe that their actions today will impact their happiness in the future
It encourages Buddhists to be generous, kind and compassionate towards others as it affects their rebirth
