Buddhist Practices

Question 1

Karma and rebirth

Answer 1

Karma/kamma means ‘action’
All intentional actions have consequences
Actions are skilful (kusala) when done with positive intention and unskilful (akusala) when done with a negative intention
Our rebirth is defined by our karma

Question 2

Karuna

Answer 2

Mercy or compassion. It is one of the sublime states which Buddhists are are constantly urged to develop in themselves. It is a virtue or state of mind which leads to a sense of selfishness.

Question 3

Metta

Answer 3

Loving kindness. It is selfless- kindness not done for personal gain.

Question 4

6 perfections

Answer 4

• Generosity
• Morality
• Patience
• Energy
• Meditation
• Wisdom

Question 5

Generosity

(6 perfections)

Answer 5

Someone who practices giving sees no difference between the giver and the reciver.

Question 6

Morality

(6 perfections)

Answer 6

Keeping all the Ten Precepts. It is also the understanding of how one can break a Precept yet still be acting for the greater good, for example killing someone to prevent them murdering another person.

Question 7

Patience

(6 perfections)

Answer 7

Non-anger/non-agitation. This is going beyond enduring suffering but rather accepting any difficulties one has.

Question 8

Effort/energy

(6 perfections)

Answer 8

Never getting bored or tired of working for one’s vows.

Question 9

Meditation

(6 perfections)

Answer 9

Following all forms of meditation. Becoming able to always see things to always see things as they are so to help others more effectively.

Question 10

Wisdom

(6 perfections)

Answer 10

Realisation of sunyata.

Question 11

Places of worship

Answer 11

Temple
Shrine
Vihara (monastery)
Gompa (hall for learning)

Question 12

Temple

Answer 12

Buddhists attend the temple whenever they wish to
They include worship halls and shrines
Pujas are held here daily
Many temples are build near stupas
There are bodhi trees at many temples

Question 13

Shrine

Answer 13

Sacred place dedicated to the Buddha; it can be at home.
It is centred around at least one Buddha rupa.
Each temple has a shrine room as its most important place for worship.
Acts of worship and offerings to the Buddha happen here.

Question 14

Vihara (monastery)

Answer 14

All have a temple within their compound.
Pujas (acts of worship, NOT services) are held here daily
Monks live here so their will be living quarters, kitchens, meeting rooms etc.

Question 15

Gompa (hall for learning)

Answer 15

Name given to the Tibetan Buddhist shrine rooms. In Tibetan Buddhism there is a long tradition of training for monks to attain a degree in Buddhist philosophy, hence a hall for learning.

Question 16

Importance of Buddhist places of worship

Answer 16

Place of learning
Place for reflection/meditation
Place to pay tribute to the Buddha
Advice
Centre of community

Question 17

Features of Buddhist places of worship

Answer 17

Buddha rupa (statue of the Buddha)
Artefacts
Offerings

Question 18

Buddha rupa (statue of the Buddha)

Answer 18

One focal Buddha rupa, usually centrally positioned - Buddha is central to religion, so central to shrine.
Often many rupas in a shrine room

Question 19

Artefacts

Answer 19

Items of religious significance to aid worship or meditation, or to remind of Dhamma
Scriptures
Model of a stupa
Vajra - thunderbolt/diamond symbolises five wisdoms and five poisons
Instruments such as cymbals and bells are present to aid meditation/puja

Question 20

Offerings

Answer 20

Flowers - beauty of enlightenment
Candles - light helps us to see where to go
Incense - the sweet smell goes everywhere (no barriers) = Buddhism is fit for any person
Food - gift of thanks to Buddha

In Mahayana, it is traditional to make seven offerings (2 bowls of water, flowers, candles, incense, food, perfume

Evokes right action
Symbolic nature allows the worshipper to reflect on religious truths

Question 21

Puja

Answer 21

Formal act of worship that takes place before a shrine

Bowing to the buddha - three times to represent the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
Making offerings of incense, flowers, food and candles - each symbolic of key teachings. By making the offering, the Buddha becomes mindful of these and that they aspire to become Buddha themselves.
Chanting - done when making offerings. It is often a recitation of a set scripture, dictated by the worshipper’s form of Buddhism.

Question 22

Why do Puja?

Answer 22

Puja is an expression of devotion and thankfulness to the Buddha generally, but it may be for a specific purpose, such as becoming pregnant.

Question 23

Chanting

Answer 23

Repetition of key scriptures/teachings and can be an aid to meditation. It must be conducted in a single-minded and sincere manner, though it can be done aloud/silently, alone/with others , with prayer beads or not, to music or not.
It is always a way of developing devotion

Question 24

Mantra recitation

Answer 24

Repetition of a set phrase in order to bring about a specific state of consciousness. Tibetan monks are often given mantras personal to themselves by their teachers.
It always shows devotion but is also merit-making

Question 25

Use of malas

Answer 25

Mala - string of prayer beads Used to count prayers/recitations/mantras There are 108 in total, representing 108 worldly desires and the means to overcome them. These aid focus, but also ensure the worshipper says the requisite number of prayers.

Question 26

Meditation

Answer 26

mental concentration in order to achieve a state of mind from which one can eventually attain enlightenment. It is a physical and mental discipline. It is one of the elements of the Noble eightfold path, so most Buddhist meditate in some form.

Question 27

Types of meditation

Answer 27

Samatha (calm/concentration and tranquillity) Vipassana (insight) Zazen (meditation in sitting) Visualisation of Buddha or bodhisattva

Question 28

Samatha (calm/concentration and tranquillity)

Answer 28

Aims to develop calmness and 'one-pointedness' of mind. Nibbana cannot be attained from samatha. Successful samatha leads to right mindfulness.

Question 29

Vipassana (insight)

Answer 29

Specific to Buddhism, developed by the Buddha Focus is on analysing the mind and body and interactions with the material world in order to break attachment. This allows insight to be gained into the true nature of reality, particularly the 3 marks of existence. Permanent solution to the problem of suffering, given the realisation of the 3 marks. Vipassana seems more connected to wisdom (panna) than concentration (samatha)

Question 30

Zazen (meditation in sitting)

Answer 30

Comes from Soto Zen, Japanese Buddhism. Meditator sits in a meditative position in a quiet room and tries to attain a state of relaxed attention. It is common for the meditator to have been posed a paradox. These are supposed to train monks to give up on logical reasoning and force sudden intuitive enlightenment.

Question 31

Visualisation of Buddha or bodhisattva

Answer 31

Involves calming the mind and visualising Buddhas or bodhisattvas to develop the qualities of compassion. Common to Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism May include trying to recreate an image in one's mind. The meditator is trying to see what it would be like to be the subject or in the place being visualised.

Question 32

Theravada Buddhism funerals

Answer 32

Sutras recited to the dying/dead - directing thoughts to the Buddha Coffin with body inside is surrounded by candles, incense and wreaths - 3MoE At cremation, monks sit facing the coffin; relatives bring lit torches and candles, incense and wood fragments to put under coffin and start flames - watching dead is a meditation on impermanence and no self.

Question 33

Japanese Buddhism funerals

Answer 33

Funeral rites last several days - mark of respect Procession to temple. Coffin is placed in front of items to invoke paradise - hope for rebirth in heaven Priest recites sutras before coffin - reminding of the Buddha's teachings on impermanence, and especially death. Body is burned, while a family meal takes place. Ashes/bones are placed into a box using special chopsticks. This is put out onto the family shrine before internment in the family grave.

Question 34

Tibetan Buddhism funerals

Answer 34

Book of the Dead read to the dying/dead person to prepare them for bardo - reader gains good merit for themselves and helps the recipient. 'Sky burial' - performed on a hillside. The body is dismembered while a scripture is recited. Emphasises non-attachment The parts are left for the vultures to eat.

Question 35

Retreats

Answer 35

During the 3 month rainy season, the Buddha encouraged monks to seclude themselves in order to meditate more intensely. This retreat has been a practice of monks ever since. The process involves taking oneself away from the usual concerns/demands of daily life for a period of time and leading a simple, focussed life, during which time the main task is to study the Dhamma and/or meditate.

Question 36

Wesak

Answer 36

Recalls the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, each of which happened in May on the night of a full moon. The Buddha's teachings help everyone and the Buddhist path is seen as one of peace and so a boon to the world - hence the importance of this festival. During the festival everyone follows the Eight Precepts (5 precepts plus refraining from singing/dancing/wearing garlands and perfumes, eating after midday, and sleeping in luxurious beds) Attend temple and make offerings to the temple, but also the vulnerable of society Restate their commitments to the precepts Participate in chanting scriptures, listening to sermons and in meditation Do good deeds

Question 37

Parinirvana day

Answer 37

For Mahayana Buddhists, Parinirvana Day recalls the day that the Buddha died, so he reached nibbana. For most Buddhists this is the 15th Feb. It is important because it reminds of the final death. the day involves attending temple and/or meditation. Some will spend the day reading/reciting sutras. Prayers will be said for the recently deceased to try to send them merit for their journey. Many Buddhists give money and items to support monks at monasteries. It is also a traditional day for a pilgrimage in Asia.