In the picture above a Bodhi tree is shown. Bodhi literally means awakening and the Buddha reached enlightment under the Bodhi tree. In english it translates into enlightment.
At Home and Temples
In Buddhist homes, they will set aside a specific room, or place within the house just for worship. There is usually be a statue of Buddha, candles, and incense burners somewhere in the room.
Buddhist temples come in many different shapes and sizes. They symbolize the five elements: air, earth, fire, water, and wisdom. Every temple has at least one image or icon of Buddha within its premises.
Buddhist temples come in many different shapes and sizes. They symbolize the five elements: air, earth, fire, water, and wisdom. Every temple has at least one image or icon of Buddha within its premises.
Worship
There are as many ways to worship in Buddhism as there are schools, which there is a lot of. The worshippers may sit barefoot on the floor and face the Buddha icon and chant. The monks will also chant religious texts and the worshippers will listen and join in on prayers. Sometimes the chants will be accompianed by musical instrutments.
For example, in Mahayana tradition, worship takes form of devotion to Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
In each denomination they worship in similar and different ways.
For example, in Mahayana tradition, worship takes form of devotion to Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
In each denomination they worship in similar and different ways.
Noble Truths
Buddhist beliefs are centered on the 4 noble
truths, and the Noble eight fold path.
The 4 Noble Truths are a set of rules regarding suffering.
1. The truth of
Suffering
2. The Origin of
Suffering
3. The truth of the cessation of
suffering
4. The truth of the path leading to cessation from
suffering
The First path focuses on the purpose of suffering, the second
truth is the how sufferings is formed, and were it stems from. The third is the
acceptance that suffering can be overcome, were as the fourth shows the way to
do so, by following the eightfold path
truths, and the Noble eight fold path.
The 4 Noble Truths are a set of rules regarding suffering.
1. The truth of
Suffering
2. The Origin of
Suffering
3. The truth of the cessation of
suffering
4. The truth of the path leading to cessation from
suffering
The First path focuses on the purpose of suffering, the second
truth is the how sufferings is formed, and were it stems from. The third is the
acceptance that suffering can be overcome, were as the fourth shows the way to
do so, by following the eightfold path
The Noble EightFold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path is the way to overcome suffering. The
Noble Eightfold Path is represented by a wagon wheel. It consists
of
1.
Panna: Discernment, Wisdom
A. Understanding of the 4
noble truths. (Samma
ditthi)
B. Follow the 4 noble
truths. (Samma sankappa)
2. Sila:
Virtue and morality
A. Right speech, do not lie,
condemn, offend, or criticize. (Samma vaca
)
B. Right conduct, Follow the
5 precepts. (Samma kammanta)
C. Live well, without
harming others. (Samma ajiva)
3. Samadhi:
Concentration, meditation:
A. Have good thoughts,
forget evil ones. Put forth good effort. (Samma
vayama)
B. Be wary of yourself,
mind, body, and feelings.(
Samma sati)
C. Meditate,
right concentration.(
Samma samadhi)
Noble Eightfold Path is represented by a wagon wheel. It consists
of
1.
Panna: Discernment, Wisdom
A. Understanding of the 4
noble truths. (Samma
ditthi)
B. Follow the 4 noble
truths. (Samma sankappa)
2. Sila:
Virtue and morality
A. Right speech, do not lie,
condemn, offend, or criticize. (Samma vaca
)
B. Right conduct, Follow the
5 precepts. (Samma kammanta)
C. Live well, without
harming others. (Samma ajiva)
3. Samadhi:
Concentration, meditation:
A. Have good thoughts,
forget evil ones. Put forth good effort. (Samma
vayama)
B. Be wary of yourself,
mind, body, and feelings.(
Samma sati)
C. Meditate,
right concentration.(
Samma samadhi)
Buddhist Precepts
The 5 Precepts of Buddhism are the Buddhist
equivalent of the Ten Commandments. However, following these precepts isn’t
mandatory as in Christianity and Judaism.
They are more so recommendations.
1.
Do not kill, do not
perform violent acts.
2.
Do not
steal
3.
Do not lie and spread
falsehood
4.
Do not commit
adultery
5.
Do not drink alcohol or
consume in drugs
Buddhists preparing for monkhood undertake in
5 additional
precepts,
6.
Avoid untimely
meals
7.
Avoid dancing, singing,
and watching grotesque mine
8.
Avoid using perfume and
personal adornments
9.
Avoid using high
seats
10.
Avoid accepting gold or
silver
equivalent of the Ten Commandments. However, following these precepts isn’t
mandatory as in Christianity and Judaism.
They are more so recommendations.
1.
Do not kill, do not
perform violent acts.
2.
Do not
steal
3.
Do not lie and spread
falsehood
4.
Do not commit
adultery
5.
Do not drink alcohol or
consume in drugs
Buddhists preparing for monkhood undertake in
5 additional
precepts,
6.
Avoid untimely
meals
7.
Avoid dancing, singing,
and watching grotesque mine
8.
Avoid using perfume and
personal adornments
9.
Avoid using high
seats
10.
Avoid accepting gold or
silver
Reincarnation
Buddhists believe in reincarnation, that idea that when you die
your reborn in a new form. The outcome of that form being based on the persons
Karma. Karma is the universal law of conduct, if you do kind deeds, and do not
perform evil acts; you will have good karma, and be rewarded in the next
life.
your reborn in a new form. The outcome of that form being based on the persons
Karma. Karma is the universal law of conduct, if you do kind deeds, and do not
perform evil acts; you will have good karma, and be rewarded in the next
life.
The Vinaya Pitaka
There are many different schools of
Buddhism, each with their own sacred texts. However, the Vinaya Pitaka, and the
3 Nikayas of the sutta pitaka a.k.a Pali Canon, or Tipitaka form the core of all Buddhist
traditions.
The word Vinaya Pitaka means “Basket of Discipline”. The Vinaya Pitaka is one of the five texts that make up Tripitaka. The Vinaya Pitaka holds rules and guidelines for monks and priests.
The Sutta Pitaka makes up the second part
of the Tripitaka. The Sutta Pitaka contains more than 10,000 Suttas. These are
mainly teachings of Buddha. It contains descriptions of Buddha and parables to
help bring enlightenment to the reader.
The Abhidharma is the third part of the
Tripitaka. The word Abhidharma means “Higher Teaching”. The Abhidharma is
considered the core of core of Western Buddhism. This part of the Tripitaka
contains psychological, as well as philosophical interpretation of the Buddhist
doctrine.
Buddhism, each with their own sacred texts. However, the Vinaya Pitaka, and the
3 Nikayas of the sutta pitaka a.k.a Pali Canon, or Tipitaka form the core of all Buddhist
traditions.
The word Vinaya Pitaka means “Basket of Discipline”. The Vinaya Pitaka is one of the five texts that make up Tripitaka. The Vinaya Pitaka holds rules and guidelines for monks and priests.
The Sutta Pitaka makes up the second part
of the Tripitaka. The Sutta Pitaka contains more than 10,000 Suttas. These are
mainly teachings of Buddha. It contains descriptions of Buddha and parables to
help bring enlightenment to the reader.
The Abhidharma is the third part of the
Tripitaka. The word Abhidharma means “Higher Teaching”. The Abhidharma is
considered the core of core of Western Buddhism. This part of the Tripitaka
contains psychological, as well as philosophical interpretation of the Buddhist
doctrine.