Buddhist Places Of Worship
- Created by: mariagecheva
- Created on: 29-11-18 21:02
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- Buddhist Places Of Worship
- Temples
- The traditional temples may be very ornate with elaborate architecture, sculpture and decoration.
- Modern temples, mainly those in western countries, may be housed in ordinary buildings.
- The most important part of the temple is the shrine room, which houses statues and images of the Buddha and others Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
- These statues are called Buddha-rupas and can be quite large symbolising the importance of those they represent.
- In Thervada temples Siddhartha Gautama Buddha is hte main focus of worship.
- In the Mahayana tradition they have images of other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as there focus of worship.
- Shrines
- Shrines are an important element of Buddhist devotion, serving as a focus for worship.
- They are not only seen in temples but also in the homes of Buddhists
- The Buddha-rupa:
- -symbol of the qualities of the Buddhas such as wisdom and compassion, inspiring followers to develop these qualities
- good way for Buddhists to show respect for the buddha for revealing the path to enlightenment
- Lotus Flower
- may form part of the buddha-rupa
- Buddha is compared to the beautiful lotus flower which grows in a muddy environment. as the lotus flower blossoms in unfavourable surroundings
- symbolises a persons own potential to reach Buddhahood
- Flowers - Imperman- ence
- Incense - Ehtical Action and spreading of compassion
- Candles - wisdom and englighten-ment
- Food - end product and ultimate goal of englighten-ment
- Water - purification and calm
- Monasteries
- At the time of the Buddha, community of monks would travel together providing teachings to the laity and receiving offerings.
- During the rainy season the Monks stayed in places called viharas, meaning resting place, and were provided by the lay community.
- Over time, Viharas became more permanent places to settle and became the monasteries where monks and nuns live.
- Areas that fulfil different purposes including accomodation for monks and nuns, a library and a main hall.
- offer a centre for devotion, ceremonies, retreats and teaching: they are maintained by the lay community
- in some buddhist countries it is quite normal for young people to spend a period of time living the monastic life at viharas
- Gompas
- A Gompa is Tibetan monastery where learning takes place.
- Scripture is housed in the libraries and used for study.
- Places of learning, centres for meditation and religious practice, meditation halls.
- Good place for meditation which is usually under the guidance of someone leading meditation.
- Temples
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