Buddhist Rituals
Written By: Shaunda Chum
“Buddhist rituals usually consist of three main elements: recitation, chanting and the making of offerings. The verses recited are usually associated with the principal tenets and ideals of Buddhism; and they give expression to the spiritual aspiration which makes someone a Buddhist” (TheBuddhistCentre).
There are many different rituals in the religion of Buddhism. Each has a different purpose. As Gil Fronsdal explains the purpose of Buddhist rituals, “one of the important functions of Buddhist rituals is to strengthen people’s connection to the Dharma and to the intention, respect, understanding, community, and experiential dimension associated with the Dharma. While feeling a stronger connection to the Dharma can be meaningful in and of itself, it can also fuel a person’s practice when it is challenging to do.” Here, we will look at seasonal rites, vocational rites, rites of passage, and daily rites in Buddhism. The first rite is regular daily rites in Buddhism. In daily rites, each morning people bring food to the temples to offer the monks. The monks are only allowed to eat one meal a day. The people light bow, light incense in front of the Buddha statue, then say a prayer. Before the meal is eaten by the monks, they chant a prayer to bless the people who brought offerings. “The central daily rite of lay Buddhism is the offering of food. Theravada laity make this offering to the monks. Mahayana laity make it to the Buddha as part of the morning or evening worship. In both settings merit is shared” (Lester). The next rite is called seasonal rites. They are also yearly rites in Buddhism. One seasonal rite that is considered extremely important in Buddhism is the celebratory ceremony of Buddha’s birthday. On Buddha’s birthday his statue is washed by Buddhists with holy water. “Buddhists may make charitable donations on this day, or they may purchase animals from slaughterhouses, release them, and provide for their welfare”(Hardy). These donations can be monetary, or everyday necessities that the monks need. For example, they donate drinking water, blankets, and other things.
“Buddhist rituals usually consist of three main elements: recitation, chanting and the making of offerings. The verses recited are usually associated with the principal tenets and ideals of Buddhism; and they give expression to the spiritual aspiration which makes someone a Buddhist” (TheBuddhistCentre).
There are many different rituals in the religion of Buddhism. Each has a different purpose. As Gil Fronsdal explains the purpose of Buddhist rituals, “one of the important functions of Buddhist rituals is to strengthen people’s connection to the Dharma and to the intention, respect, understanding, community, and experiential dimension associated with the Dharma. While feeling a stronger connection to the Dharma can be meaningful in and of itself, it can also fuel a person’s practice when it is challenging to do.” Here, we will look at seasonal rites, vocational rites, rites of passage, and daily rites in Buddhism. The first rite is regular daily rites in Buddhism. In daily rites, each morning people bring food to the temples to offer the monks. The monks are only allowed to eat one meal a day. The people light bow, light incense in front of the Buddha statue, then say a prayer. Before the meal is eaten by the monks, they chant a prayer to bless the people who brought offerings. “The central daily rite of lay Buddhism is the offering of food. Theravada laity make this offering to the monks. Mahayana laity make it to the Buddha as part of the morning or evening worship. In both settings merit is shared” (Lester). The next rite is called seasonal rites. They are also yearly rites in Buddhism. One seasonal rite that is considered extremely important in Buddhism is the celebratory ceremony of Buddha’s birthday. On Buddha’s birthday his statue is washed by Buddhists with holy water. “Buddhists may make charitable donations on this day, or they may purchase animals from slaughterhouses, release them, and provide for their welfare”(Hardy). These donations can be monetary, or everyday necessities that the monks need. For example, they donate drinking water, blankets, and other things.
. In Buddhist vocational rites, the potential layman participates in tonsure which is the shaving of the head. “Initiation into a special religious vocation—be it that of a monk, nun, or priest—follows the pattern of separation, transition, and reincorporation” (Livingston). After the layman gets most of his hair shaved off, he gets washed with holy water and then he claims out loud that he wishes to become a layman. The master monk asks if he is sure. If the layman wishes to continue the master monk shaves off what is left of his hair. The layman then dresses in a monk’s robe and joins a chant with the other monks. All of these rituals are done in Buddhism. Again, the main purpose for Buddhist rituals are for people to connect to the Dharma and Buddha.
Works Cited
1. Critofoletti,Thomas. 20, October 2012, Phnom Penh. Ruom. Web. 20 Apr. 2014
2. Drikung Kagyu Ratnashri Meditation Center. Buddhalife. N.d. n.p. swipnet. Web, 20 Apr.2014
3. Fronsdal, Gil. Rituals in Buddhism. Insightmeditationcenter. N.d., n.p. web. 20 Apr. 2014.
4. Hardy, Julia. Rights and ceremonies. Patheos. 2008-2014. Patheos. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
5. Lester, Robert C. The rituals and the festivals of the Buddhist life. Buddistgateway. Robert C. Lester, 1987. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
6. Livingston, James C. Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc, 2009. Print.
7. The Buddhist Centre: Buddhism for Today. TheBuddhistCentre, n.d. n.p. Web. 20 Apr. 2014
1. Critofoletti,Thomas. 20, October 2012, Phnom Penh. Ruom. Web. 20 Apr. 2014
2. Drikung Kagyu Ratnashri Meditation Center. Buddhalife. N.d. n.p. swipnet. Web, 20 Apr.2014
3. Fronsdal, Gil. Rituals in Buddhism. Insightmeditationcenter. N.d., n.p. web. 20 Apr. 2014.
4. Hardy, Julia. Rights and ceremonies. Patheos. 2008-2014. Patheos. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
5. Lester, Robert C. The rituals and the festivals of the Buddhist life. Buddistgateway. Robert C. Lester, 1987. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
6. Livingston, James C. Anatomy of the Sacred: An Introduction to Religion. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc, 2009. Print.
7. The Buddhist Centre: Buddhism for Today. TheBuddhistCentre, n.d. n.p. Web. 20 Apr. 2014