What do you do in a Buddhist temple compared to the worship in a christian chruch?
Posted on May 22nd, 2010 by admin
I am doing a project concernig Buddha, and to get more into my project i was hoping to get my self more involved and aware of the goings on in the Buddhist religion. How do you use a temple is what I’m trying to ask and what rules are you to follow to be a buddhist. I have no time to visit a temple so your answers would be greatly appreciated. Please i need some help.
In the tradition that I follow one removes his or her shoes before entering the temple as a sign of respect. Temples are used for either private prayers and meditation or for formal teachings (like Christians attending Sunday services). In a formal teaching one will engage in practices such as prostrating to the teacher, chanting prayers in Tibetan, making offerings, etc. There’s never any pressure to take part in such practices. Some practices (such as chanting in Tibetan) are done out of respect for our teachers, most of whom speak Tibetan. Other such practices are common to many schools of Buddhism. But, you should not feel that you need to engage in them unless doing so feels positive and natural to you! It is customary to stand as the teacher enters the room and to remain standing until he or she is seated. We also stand as the teacher leaves the room.
By prostrating, we use our body, speech and mind to show our respect for the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Furthermore, as Lama Yeshe said: "Why do we make prostrations at the beginning of the teaching and meditation sessions? It’s to beat our ego down a bit. Ego-centric pride looks at things very superficially and never sees the nature of reality. When we prostrate, we are not prostrating to the material objects on the altar but paying homage to true, understanding wisdom." (~ from "Ego, Attachment and Liberation" the. Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives). If you’d like to offer prostrations, place your thumbs inside your cupped hands, and then place your cupped hands on the top of your head, then place your hands in the space between your eyebrows, move your hands at your throat, and finally, place your hands at your heart. The reason for placing the folded hands on the top of the head is because the Buddha had, as one of the thirty-two marks of a great man, a protrusion at the top of his head. The hands are then brought to the forehead at mid-point between the eyes where a second major mark, the so-called "third eye", is located. The folded hands are brought to the throat (lips) in honor of the Buddha’s speech. Finally, they are brought to the chest since the heart is the seat of the Buddha’s perfect wisdom.
Depending upon one’s physical condition, the prostration may be a full-length prostration (in which the whole body is outstretched on the floor), a five point prostration (the knees, palms and forehead only touch the floor), or simply bowing the head if one is physically unable to perform either of the former. All these actions we believe both collect merit and purify one’s self: they purify the obscurations of the body, speech and mind.
Visiting non-Buddhists who do not choose to make prostrations or those unable to do so may stand quietly while others offer their prostrations. It’s thoughtful to avoid walking directly in front of someone who is making prostrations. Usually, at the last session of a series of teachings, prostrations are not offered at the closing, as a sign that we welcome the teacher’s future return.
People are welcome to bring flowers or food for the altar as an offering to the Buddhas. We consider this to be a wonderful way to accumulate great merit. Afterwards, the food is donated to a local homeless shelter.
Before and after the teachings, we recite a few short prayers in Tibetan. The purpose is to correctly set our motivation for listening to the teachings and for paying respect to our teachers. Dharma books, sacred texts and holy objects represent the teachings of the Buddha, so it’s best to avoid placing a practice text, Dharma book, or any holy object directly on the floor. Instead we place them on a clean cloth, a desk or table, or even on top of a backpack or bag rather than the floor. People try to avoid stepping over a text or other holy object that is in their path. It’s polite to move your texts or hold them if someone needs to walk by.
One may sit on a cushion on the floor or on a chair—whatever is most comfortable. A point of etiquette is to not extend your the soles of your feet towards the teacher, altar, or holy objects. If you need to stretch your legs, you can turn to the side.
It is traditional for both men and women to wear modest clothing, even in hot weather, and avoid wearing revealing clothing (backless or low-cut tops, etc.). If you like to dress this way, you can always cover your legs or shoulders with a light shawl in the presence of the lama. If you will be sitting for a long period of time it is best to wear loose clothing for the sake of your comfort.
Tibetans offer khatas (a scarf) to friends, acquaintences, loved ones and teachers as a way of showing respect and affection. After a teaching, it is customary to offer the teacher a khata as a way of thanking him. To do so, fold the khata in half with the open edge facing away from you. Put both palms together and drape the scarf over them. Assuming the lama is sitting, kneel down, bow your head and hold the scarf at the level of your forehead. If you would like to make a donation to him, discreetly place the envelope on the table ( I have never known anyone from being turned away due to a lack of funds) and then offer the scarf. He will respond by putting the scarf around your neck. He may choose to say prayers for you or touch you gently on the head by way of a blessing. Then you can stand up.
I hope this helps.
May all be at peace.
John
May 23rd, 2010 at 2:50 am
all I know is that you have to take your shoes off when entering a buddhist temple. I have went there only once. There will be a big statue of Buddha where you offer your praying and light some candles around him. You can give money to the monks there as a gift for the temple.
References :
May 23rd, 2010 at 3:36 am
In the tradition that I follow one removes his or her shoes before entering the temple as a sign of respect. Temples are used for either private prayers and meditation or for formal teachings (like Christians attending Sunday services). In a formal teaching one will engage in practices such as prostrating to the teacher, chanting prayers in Tibetan, making offerings, etc. There’s never any pressure to take part in such practices. Some practices (such as chanting in Tibetan) are done out of respect for our teachers, most of whom speak Tibetan. Other such practices are common to many schools of Buddhism. But, you should not feel that you need to engage in them unless doing so feels positive and natural to you! It is customary to stand as the teacher enters the room and to remain standing until he or she is seated. We also stand as the teacher leaves the room.
By prostrating, we use our body, speech and mind to show our respect for the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Furthermore, as Lama Yeshe said: "Why do we make prostrations at the beginning of the teaching and meditation sessions? It’s to beat our ego down a bit. Ego-centric pride looks at things very superficially and never sees the nature of reality. When we prostrate, we are not prostrating to the material objects on the altar but paying homage to true, understanding wisdom." (~ from "Ego, Attachment and Liberation" the. Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives). If you’d like to offer prostrations, place your thumbs inside your cupped hands, and then place your cupped hands on the top of your head, then place your hands in the space between your eyebrows, move your hands at your throat, and finally, place your hands at your heart. The reason for placing the folded hands on the top of the head is because the Buddha had, as one of the thirty-two marks of a great man, a protrusion at the top of his head. The hands are then brought to the forehead at mid-point between the eyes where a second major mark, the so-called "third eye", is located. The folded hands are brought to the throat (lips) in honor of the Buddha’s speech. Finally, they are brought to the chest since the heart is the seat of the Buddha’s perfect wisdom.
Depending upon one’s physical condition, the prostration may be a full-length prostration (in which the whole body is outstretched on the floor), a five point prostration (the knees, palms and forehead only touch the floor), or simply bowing the head if one is physically unable to perform either of the former. All these actions we believe both collect merit and purify one’s self: they purify the obscurations of the body, speech and mind.
Visiting non-Buddhists who do not choose to make prostrations or those unable to do so may stand quietly while others offer their prostrations. It’s thoughtful to avoid walking directly in front of someone who is making prostrations. Usually, at the last session of a series of teachings, prostrations are not offered at the closing, as a sign that we welcome the teacher’s future return.
People are welcome to bring flowers or food for the altar as an offering to the Buddhas. We consider this to be a wonderful way to accumulate great merit. Afterwards, the food is donated to a local homeless shelter.
Before and after the teachings, we recite a few short prayers in Tibetan. The purpose is to correctly set our motivation for listening to the teachings and for paying respect to our teachers. Dharma books, sacred texts and holy objects represent the teachings of the Buddha, so it’s best to avoid placing a practice text, Dharma book, or any holy object directly on the floor. Instead we place them on a clean cloth, a desk or table, or even on top of a backpack or bag rather than the floor. People try to avoid stepping over a text or other holy object that is in their path. It’s polite to move your texts or hold them if someone needs to walk by.
One may sit on a cushion on the floor or on a chair—whatever is most comfortable. A point of etiquette is to not extend your the soles of your feet towards the teacher, altar, or holy objects. If you need to stretch your legs, you can turn to the side.
It is traditional for both men and women to wear modest clothing, even in hot weather, and avoid wearing revealing clothing (backless or low-cut tops, etc.). If you like to dress this way, you can always cover your legs or shoulders with a light shawl in the presence of the lama. If you will be sitting for a long period of time it is best to wear loose clothing for the sake of your comfort.
Tibetans offer khatas (a scarf) to friends, acquaintences, loved ones and teachers as a way of showing respect and affection. After a teaching, it is customary to offer the teacher a khata as a way of thanking him. To do so, fold the khata in half with the open edge facing away from you. Put both palms together and drape the scarf over them. Assuming the lama is sitting, kneel down, bow your head and hold the scarf at the level of your forehead. If you would like to make a donation to him, discreetly place the envelope on the table ( I have never known anyone from being turned away due to a lack of funds) and then offer the scarf. He will respond by putting the scarf around your neck. He may choose to say prayers for you or touch you gently on the head by way of a blessing. Then you can stand up.
I hope this helps.
May all be at peace.
John
References :
As cited in the response.