GCSE AQA Buddhist Practices

Temple

A meditation hall/building with shrines dedicated to the Buddha with rupa (statues), and a pagoda to represent the 5 elements,

What do temples have

A pagoda to represent the 5 elements (earth, fire, water, air and wisdom).

Shrine's focus, where it is found

The focus is a statue of the Buddha (Rupa) in a meditation pose. Can be found in a temple/home, provide a focal point to meditate upon. Offerings given here.

Monastery (vihara)

Group of buildings where a Buddhist community lives, and where they dedicate their life to full time spiritual practice - simple lifestyle.

Hall for meditation (gompa)

A Tibetan institution that combines a shrine, a monastery and a meditation hall.

Offerings

Candles to represent wisdom, Incense to represent purification, and flowers to represent Anicca.

Puja

allows Buddhists to represent their gratitude to the Buddha and his teachings, and honour his way of life.

Examples of puja

Chanting, , mantra recitation, use of malas (prayer beads).

Meditation

Spiritual exercise that calms the mind and body, leads to development of insight of the nature of existence.

Aims of meditation

Reflect on Buddha's teachings, to develop compassion, to reduce suffering, to develop a calm and still mind, to become enlightened, to understand the nature of reality better.

Significance of meditation

Helps Buddhists gain a greater insight into the Buddha's teachings and understand more about the nature of existence.

Methods of meditation

Samatha, Vipassana (walking) and zazen (sitting).

Samatha

Concentration and tranquillity including mindfulness of breathing: Learning how to focus gently on one object to develop a calm and concentrated mind, to develop wisdom and an understanding of the Buddha's teachings.

Vipassana

Insight including zazen: To try and gain insight on the true nature of reality and see things how they really are, and how all things are characterised by the 3 marks of existence.

Key differences between Vipassana and Samatha

Samatha meditation uses a Kasinas (object) to focus on, or focuses on rhythmic breathing (not a religious object). Vipassana focuses on the true nature of reality and 3 marks of existence, transient nature of life.

Visualisation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

Buddhists imagine the Buddha as a way of understanding Buddhist teachings, and to understand the true meaning of the nature of existence, and draw inspiration from them.

Parinirvana Day

Festival celebrating the death of the Buddha, and the transient nature of life, Anicca, and the fact that death is imminent.

Parinirvana events:

Read the mahaparinirvana sutra

Individual meditation

Pilgrimages in Kushinagar in India

It is more solemn than Wesak

Wesak

Theravada festival that celebrates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha.

Wesak events

decorate their houses with lights or release lanterns , offer candles, flowers, and incense to Buddha rupas and to go a temple to meditate and pray with other Buddhists

What does the full moon represent on Wesak?

Represents a pure energy, and hope to become enlightened just as the Buddha did

Five moral precepts

Do not take life, do not take what is not given, do not misuse the senses, do not speak falsehoods, do not take intoxicants that cloud the mind.

Six perfections in the Mahayanan tradition

Generosity, morality, patience, ethics, kindness, wisdom