Rituals of Buddhism - Period 1 Dec 12

Marriage (definition)

"a marriage ceremony, especially considered as including the associated celebrations"

Marriage (description)

A wedding is a ceremony held to celebrate and officiate the beginning of a new married couple, including traditions or rituals done before or after the actual wedding ceremony takes place.

Buddhist Pilgrimage

-the journey encouraged by all sects of Buddhism to one of the 8 main holy sites blessed by or important to the Buddha

-during this ritual people aspire to gain religious merit and cultivate wisdom and compassion as well as practice the middle way through clean simple traveling and not engaging in luxury

-laypeople/monks of India would go to Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, or Kushinara

laypeople/monks of Nepal would go to Lumbini

-upon arrival all pilgrims meditate, give thanks to the Buddha, and give gifts to the Sangha

-pilgrimage is encouraged but not required in Buddhism

What is done in public? (Funerals)

Most funerals are conducted indoors

Laypeople in marriage

Laypeople (the wedded couple and all of the guests included) partake in the ceremony in different ways. The couple dresses modestly and formally, but the style may vary due to their culture. All guests and the couple are allowed to dress according to their own cultural preference, no matter which country they are from. In the modernized U.S. and traditionally Buddhist nations alike, the couple will join their heads with strings of beads called malas. They will also participate in other rituals necessary to complete the ceremony, like a traditional washing of the hands. The guests may participate in what they feel comfortable with, but must still pay respect to the site of the ceremony. (this is universal)

Monks in marriage

Prior to the wedding, the groom meets with a monk to determine a wedding date, based off of his and the bride's astrology signs. They also bless the couple (in the U.S. they often even come to the home and bless it too) and pray over their relationship to come. During the ceremony, they recite chants and prayers accustomed to Buddhist tradition and lead the couple through certain rituals throughout (like wearing the mala, washing of their hands, reciting phrases, etc.) In countries like the U.S. where Buddhism is less prominent, monks may not be certified to officiate weddings (although this is the case with a lot of other monks worldwide), so a wedding official may join the ceremony alongside the monks who lead the rituals.

What is done in a temple? (Marriage)

If a temple does not have the proper certification to host wedding ceremonies, the couple may choose another venue (a public venue, their home, etc.) Regardless, the couple may get "blessed" by a monk before the ceremony, may choose an appropriate wedding date with a monk before the ceremony, or have chants/prayers recited over them for good fortune. (at least in the U.S.) The ceremony would remain particular to each couple and each couple's culture.

What do monks do? (Vassa)

Lead meditations with the candle process. They would also chant the discourse, which is called dhamma cakka sutta. They also start their 3 months mandatory retreat.

What is done at home? (Funerals)

While different cultures and different sects have different beliefs about funerals, the things that are done at home are the same. This is where all the sangha come together and do things like chant, bring offerings, sing sutras, and pray.

What is done at temple? (initiation)

The inductee will wear the traditional robes of a monk given to them by the senior monk and will also have his head shaven. Respect is then given to the senior monk by bowing the head three times. They then recite the Three Refuges and ten precepts. This is the way of formally ask permission to become a novice.

Wien Thien ceremony

Its where they go around The temple 3 times to represent the 3 jewels. They carry flowers, candles, and stick. They do this ceremony as a sign of respect and gratitude for the 3 Jewels.

Buddhist New Year: Home

- Clean and decorate the house (All countries

- Visit family and exchange gifts (China, Japan, Mongolia)

- Set up altar (China)

What do Monks do? (initiation)

The Monk's job is to formally administer the inductees into the monastery and give them their robes. (Sri Lanka)

Buddhist New Year: Temple

- Lighting candles and offering food (All countries)

- Prayer to the Buddha and other deities (All countries)

- Release of lanterns (China)

What is done in the temple? (Wien Thien Ceremony)

Pray, meditate, and listen to sermons. After they participate Wien Thien ceremony

Buddhist New Year: Public

- Firecrackers (All countries)

-Traditional performances and practices (Tibet and China

- festivals (All countries)

What do the laypeople do? (Theravada and Mahayana countries)

In mahayana and therevada countries, the lay people bring offerings and fruits, lead the chantings, and sing sutras.

What is done at temple? (Specific country)

In China, after the first two ceremonies are done, the third one can be held at a temple or home. This is where prayer is held, and ceremonies are done.

What do the monks do? (Theravada and Mahayana countries)

In Mahayana and Theraveda countries, the monks lead the prayers, and perform ritual rites .

Definition of ritual: Asalha

Also known as Dharma day. The day that Buddha began his teachings. Celebrated by Buddhist worldwide to commemorates when Buddha made his first sermon.

Sermon

a talk on a religious or moral subject

Mudras

Mudras are hand gestures or body positions that are commonly done during meditation. Laypeople and non Buddhists from all countries participate in Mudras. In most countries that take part in Mudras, they usually take part in Mudras on a day to day basis. Usually in Buddhists temples hand gestures aren't really done there but you can definitely do it if you want to.

Meditation (description)

Right Mindfulness (samma sati) - exemplified by the Buddha's Four Foundations of Mindfulness (see Satipatthana Sutta).

Right Concentration (samma samadhi) - culminating in jhanic absorptions through the meditative development of samatha. (Theravada Buddhism)

What do laypeople do? (initiation)

The laypeople are either the people participating in the ceremony or they are the parents celebrating with the children. (this is done in every country)

Lay People (Puja)

Make shrines for funerals, New Years, etc.

Pray to the Buddha and (if applicable Bodhisattvas). This happens in China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc.

Monks and Nuns (Puja)

Will pray for you to try and get better

Will make shrines and pray

Will honor the Buddha and (if applicable) the Bodhisattvas. This happens in almost all Buddhist temples.

Meditation (laypeople)

Do not have to really meditate that much or put focus into it.

Meditation (What is done at temple)

Group chanting/ Group meditation, chant name of Buddha ( Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam./ Pure land Buddhism)

Meditation (monks)

Spend most of the day in focused meditation some spend more many spend more time meditating in one day than doing anything. ( Sri Lanka )

Laypeople (Three Jewels)

They acknowledge and exemplify the buddhist life . Accept the Four Noble Truths and the other teachings of the Buddha and seek happiness and Enlightenment as their common goal in life

Monks/Nuns (Three Jewels)

Special significance because they make the Buddha's teaching the center of their lives. Devote their lives to meditation and study

Home (Three Jewels)

Dharma: learn it, practice it, and meditate on it, integrate it with our body, speech, and mind. Make offerings, do prostrations, and show respect

Public and Temple (Three Jewels)

Practice by being harmoniously together with the Sangha, sharing the teachings, and by the Sangha community sharing their material possessions. Refuge Ceremony- deepening of taking refuge in one's heart

Definition of the Three Jewels

The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha

What about monks?

Tend to stay inside the temples/monasteries— intensively meditate and study

Temples, what do they do there during Vassa?

The intensive meditation usually occurs here, if not, monasteries. Buddhists spend those three months of individual confinement to reflect upon themselves and study their wrongdoings, if any.

What do laypeople do? (Vassa)

they celebrate Vassa with an attitude of self-discipline— throughout the three months they might give up smoking, consuming alcohol, or anything that could be harmful towards them

Describe Vassa

the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners. Taking place during the wet season, Vassa lasts for three lunar months, usually from July

What is Vassa?

A traditional retreat that lasts during the months of July and finishes during October

These are three lunar months that are included in the rainy season

Otherwise known as the "Rains Retreat"

Buddhists, usually those of Theravada, stay in a singular place during this retreat

These places they are staying at are usually temples and/or monasteries

What is initiation?

A process done when Buddhist boys and girls (typically boys) transition into adulthood. They are typically over the age of eight and must learn the ten precepts before they are accepted into the monastery. They wear traditional red, orange, or black robes that the monks wear.

Definition of ritual (Vesak)

It is informally called "Buddha's Birthday."

Description of ritual (Vesak)

It is one of the most important Buddhist festival that commemorates birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 4th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

What is done in public? (Vesak)

Some caged animals will be released to celebrate the liberation of enlightenment. Celebrations will take place out in the street which includes festivals, parades, concerts, and parties. (Malaysia)

What do laypeople do? (Vesak)

Lay people clean the entire temple and also fill it with lights and lanterns in preparation for the activities of the festival to come. They also take part in "washing" the Buddha. At the end of the festival the next morning, they prepare and serve a meal to the monks and nuns. (Singapore)

What do monks do? (Vesak)

Monks and nuns lead the chanting of the sutras and praying to the Buddha. Sometimes they will get a special platform to chant and meditate on throughout the night. (Singapore)

What is done at temple? (Vesak)

One of the most important activities done at the temple is washing the Buddha statue to commemorate his birth and reminds the sangha to free their minds of hatred, ignorance, and greed. (Singapore)

What is done at public/ in the home? (initiation)

Not much is done outside from the temple aside from waking early and washing in preparation for the day. (All countries)