Why are Places of Worship Important to Buddhists?

Temples

• Allow the Buddhist community to join together
  Developing a sense of belonging
  Deepen and inspire faith

• Allow for acts of devotion
  Offerings, pilgrimage
  Temple marks the spot of Buddhas death
  Pali Canon: “Buddhists should visit Kushinagar, the place of Buddhas passing in Nibbana without remainder”

Shrines

• Remind Buddhists of key teachings/concepts
  Using an offering of flowers reminds Buddhists of anicca
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermanent”

• Their upkeep is considered skilful activity
  Rinpoche teaches that skilful activities allow the mind to focus on spiritual practices and accumulates positive kamma

Monasteries (Viharas)

• Allow the laity to develop positive kamma
  Monastries are founded on the principle of giving (dana)
  Laity can support monks/nuns by providing them with things to help maintain the monastery

• Allow Buddhists to contact with monks/nuns
  These individuals make up one of the 3 Jewels (sangha)
  Buddhists can seek their refuge in time of suffering
  Buddha: “To the Sangha for refuge I go”

Halls for Meditation

• Give Buddhists a designated and quiet space to meditate
  Meditation is one of the ‘Right’ acts the Buddha taught leading to Nibbana
  Pali Canon: “Those who will meditate will be released from Maras fetter”

• Give Buddhists aids for meditation
  If a Buddhist was to engage in visualisation they may visualise thangka within the meditation hall

Halls for Learning (Gompas)

• Allow Buddhists to engage in study of the Buddhist Dhamma
  At the Gompa in Ladakh, important stories are retold through dances and masked performances

• They are places of academic study
  Example: the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Ladakh