Worship

Question 1

What is a temple?

Answer 1

• a place where Buddhsists come together to practice
• it is often at the hear of a Buddhist community

Question 2

What is a shrine?

Answer 2

• an area with a statue or image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva
• it provides a focal point for meditation and devotion

Question 3

what is a monastry?

Answer 3

• a place where a community of Buddhist monks or nuns live

Question 4

importance of a temple

Answer 4

• important centre of religious life
• where buddhists study, meditate and practise together

Question 5

What does a temple include?

Answer 5

• may consist of just one building or several different buildings
• Main hall - where buddhists practise together, usually contains a statue of the Buddha (a Buddha rupa) Mahayana temples may also include statues of Bodhisattvas
• Meditation hall - which is a quiet place Buddhists can meditate
• Study hall - for meetings and lectures
• shrine - shrines dedicated to the Buddha (or in Mahayna temples to a Bodhisattva)
• Stupa - tiered tower or mound-like structure that sometimes contains the remains or relics of an important Buddhist

Question 6

What is a shrine?

Answer 6

• shrines can be found in a temple, monastrey or in the home
• they provide a focal point for Buddhists to meditate and express devotion
• buddhists make offerings at shrines to show gratitude for the Buddha’s teachings
• offerings can act as reminders of the Buddha’s teachings

Question 7

What are the 3 buddhist offerings?

Answer 7

• light - symbolises the Buddha, wisdom and enlightenment - which drive away the darkness of ignorance
• flowers - as flowers wilt and decay, they remind Buddhist that all things are impermenant
• incense - symbolises purity, reminding buddhists of the importance of practicing pure thoughts, speech and behaviour

Question 8

what is a monsatry?

Answer 8

• a monastry is a place where Buddhist monks or nuns live a simple, disciplined life of study, meditation, devotion and companionship
• some monastries house large numbers of monks (especially in Tibet) and may be like small villages, while others consist of just one building
• a stupa is often an important part of a monastry

Question 9

What is puja

Answer 9

• woship that expresses gratitude and respect for the Buddha and his teachings

Question 10

Why do Buddhists worship?

Answer 10

• buddha focus of worship
• help to express gratitude towards the Buddha and acceptance of his teachings
• deepen their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings
• move closer to the Buddha and what he symbolises

Question 11

Types of Buddhist worship include..

Answer 11

• rituals and ceremonies carried out in groups
• meditation
• making offerings
• chanting sacred texts
• reciting mantras
• bowing
• private worship in the home

Question 12

About chanting

Answer 12

• in early days of buddhism instead of texts being written dwn chanting was used to memorise and pass on teachings and texts
• Chanting is devotional practice that is thought to increase receptivity towards the buddh and his teachings
• also helps to calm and focus the mind - increase concentration
• example might include chanting three refuges, 5 moral precepts and Bodhisattva vows

Question 13

About mantras

Answer 13

• mantra is a sequence of sacred syllables that is chanted out loud or in mind over and over again
• help to concentrate mind and so function as form of meditation
• some believe they have magical powers
• often associated with having spiritual qualities of a buddha or bodhisattva
• mala (prayer beads) can be used to to count number of recitation