BUDDHISM

How do they practice their religion? Meditate at a temple. Going on pilgrimage In temple Have to be silent in front of statue of Buddha. Have to listen to monks chanting. Recite prayers with other followers. Not about teaching or learning= about experiencing. Not really seen as a religion. Not practicing worship in physical form. Teaches practical methods= meditation. Different form of Buddhism. Meditation= heart of Buddhist way of life. Meditation= attain a higher level of consciousness

Where do they worship? Worship in temples. Temple= many shapes. Home. Pilgrimage= journey, often a long one, made

to a scared place. Pilgrimage= Help them have a better life Lumbini in Nepal= where Buddha was born

What religious text does Buddhism follow?

Buddhist religious text= Trip taka Trip taka= 3 kind of the sacred scriptures of

Buddhism. <Trip taka> also= ‘3 baskets’

<Trip taka> 1st basket= teachings of the Buddha.

<Trip taka> 2nd basket= the discipline for the Sangha.

<Trip taka> 3rd basket= special teaching.

Why is Trip taka important?

Trip taka describes Buddhist various canons of scriptures.

Trip taka encourages people’s life.

What is an important symbol in Buddhism? The Lotus= a very important symbol of

Buddhism. <The Lotus> refers to speech the mind . <The Lotus> complete purification of body. <The Lotus> blossoming of wholesome

deeds of liberation. The Lotus like our life. The Lotus= pure.

WHAT IS WESAK?

-Encourages people to think about the Buddha

-Reminding his birth, enlightment and death

- Held day of the full moon in early May or late June

- Takes place Buddhists temples or monastery

- Play or film about the Buddha’s life or past lives

- Lay people join the Monks in meditation

- Special kind of chanting and listen to talk by the Monks

(Continued)

-Buddhists make offerings like, food and flowers

- Temples and Monastries are decorated colorfully, lit with candles and lamps

- Wesak ceremony reminds Buddhists of the Buddha

- Renew their vows

Who are their Gods?

-A religion without a God

-Do not believe in God as devine being

-Reality behind all appearances; Emptiness, Void, The essence of all things

- No form of its own

What do Buddhist believe?

Samsara: the continuous cycle of birth, old age, illness, death and rebirthing

Souls don’t continue from one body to another The world is imperfect and nothing lasts If they follow Buddha’s teaching they will gain

enlightment Buddha was a person, not a god

What are some important symbols and statues in Buddhism?

Lotus Flower : symbol of pure and good Wheel of life : 8 spokes = 8 truths of life The Bo Tree : the tree where Buddha gained

enlightment Buddha : standing, sitting or laying down

standing= 1 hand raised, blessing peopleSitting = meditating in lotus position Teaching= sitting w/ 1 hand raised

The wheel Life