Buddhist practices Flashcards
What different rooms does a Buddhist temple contain?
Main hall
Meditation hall
Study hall
The shrine
Stupa
Monastery
What do the offerings placed around the shrine symbolise?
Light- enlightenment
Flowers- impermanence
Incense-purity
How can Buddhists worship Buddha?
Bow
Meditate
Chant
Make offerings
Recite mantras
What does chanting help to do?
Helps to focus the mind and concentration and helps to remember the teachings
What are mantras?
Sacred teachings chanted repeatedly to help concentrate
What is the purpose of samatha meditation?
Improve concentration, help prepare for Vipassana
Help to de-stress
What is vipassana meditation also known as?
Insight meditation
What is the purpose of Vipassana meditation?
Develop wisdom
Understand 3 marks of existence
Help achieve enlightenment
What is visualisation?
When the meditator visualises an object in their mind then try to imagine the qualities and maintain focus
What is deity visualisation?
In Tibetan Buddhism, they visualise an enlightened being, they visualise their qualities to try and get them for themselves
What is a thangka?
A detailed painting of a Buddha or boddhisatva
What is a mandala?
A pattern made from sand or drawn, symbolises impermanence
What is the therevada death ritual?
Little money spent, charity donations, merit transferred to the deceased, donating robes make merit, shrine made and offerings left, monks attend funeral
What is the Tibetan death ritual?
Sky burial, body left for vultures, teachers cremated left under stupas ceremonies and prayer happen every 7 days for 49 days
What is the pure land death ritual?
Coffin placed facing the pure land, amitabha chanted, remains kept for 49 days, prayers every 7 days
What does Wesak celebrate?
The Buddhas birth, death and enlightenment. Honour and remember Buddha
What does parinirvana day celebrate?
In February to remember buddha dying and going to nibanna, focuses on impermanence
How is Wesak celebrated?
Homes lit up
Offerings given at temple
Worship and meditation at temple
Lectures attended
How is Parinirvana day celebrated?
Read mahaparinirvana sutra
Meditate in temple and home
Go on a retreat
Pilgrimage to Buddhas death place
Reflect on Anicca and friends and family who have passed
What is kamma?
Intention behind someone’s actions lead to happiness or suffering
What is a skilful action?
Motivated by generosity, compassion and understanding-> happiness
What is an unskillful action?
Motivated by craving, hatred and ignorance-> suffering
What are the 4 sublime states?
Loving kindness
Compassion
Sympathetic joy
Equanimity
What are the 6 perfections?
Generosity
Morality
Patience
Energy
Meditation
Wisdom
What are the 5 moral precepts?
Abstain from taking life
Abstain from taking what is not given
Abstain from sexual misconduct
Abstain from wrong speech
Abstain from intoxicants
