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QUESTIONS
and ANSWERS As Buddhism spread from India across many parts of Asia, it absorbed many local religious beliefs and traditions in keeping with its ideals of tolerance. Therefore Buddhist practices differ widely in various parts of the world. Here we discuss some of the practices in the Theravada tradition.
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What is expected of a good Buddhist? In the Theravada tradition, a Buddhist will make a commitment to take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha* and observe the five precepts. Here taking refuge means being under the protective principles or the environment afforded by these three factors. The
Buddha (from the Sanskrit word buddhi, meaning wisdom), which literally means the awakened or enlightened one, symbolises
the goal of enlightenment to which Buddhists aspire. The Buddha is not
regarded as a god to be worshipped. In fact, since the Buddha has attained
parinibbana (complete nibbana) after death, he is
beyond the call of prayer. The
Sangha means the collective body of monks who are the followers
of Buddha’s way of life. They provide guidance to the lay people in the
Buddhist way of life. 1.
Abstain from destroying or harming living beings If one wishes to progress further, a Buddhist will follow the Noble Eightfold Path, which is the path to the realisation of Nibbana. *See Veneration |
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This is the way taught by the Buddha, which leads to the cessation of
suffering (dukkha) and the attainment of Nibbana. This is
known as the Middle Path, because it avoids the two extremes of self-indulgence
and self-mortification, which was a common practice during Buddha's time. 1.Right
Understanding 3.Right Speech 4.Right Action 5.Right Livelihood 6.Right Action 7.Right Mindfulness 8.Right Concentration These eight factors aim at promoting and perfecting the three essentials of Buddhist training and discipline: sila, samadhi, panna. Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood develop ethical conduct (sila). This moral conduct is considered to be the foundation for all higher spiritual attainments. Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration develop mental discipline (samadhi), and are achieved through meditation. Right Thought and Right Understanding lead to Wisdom (panna), which is developed through mindfulness and various forms of meditation, especially Vipassana. |
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Buddhists are often seen praying to the Buddha, offering flowers and covering Buddha statues with gold leaves, and pouring water onto Bodhi trees. Are these actions beneficial? There are no prayers as such in Buddhism since, by definition, Buddhism cannot be classed as a theistic religion (i.e. there is no ‘creator god’). The Buddha, having attained Nibbana, and after his death is beyond the call of prayer. In fact, the Buddha discouraged his followers from worshipping him and for several centuries after his death there were no Buddha images produced. The above practices by themselves do not produce any direct benefits. However, when performed with good intention (not with the ulterior motive of obtaining some selfish benefit) they have the effect of enhancing devotion (saddha) and the purity of the mind. The value of such practices comes from individual effort, not from any external power. |
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Why do Buddhists chant? The practice of chanting goes back to the days of the Buddha, when writing was not common. His teachings were memorised by monks in chant form and passed on. This was how the Buddha’s words were transmitted for several centuries. They were finally written down on ola (palm) leaves in the first century AD in Sri Lanka. The teachings are preserved in the ancient Pali language, which has many words that cannot be directly translated without losing the meaning. The entire collection of teachings is known as the tipitaka (meaning three baskets) and comprise the vinaya pitaka (disciplinary rules for monks), sutta pitaka (discourses) and abhidhamma pitaka (higher teachings). Chanting is done today as a form of veneration, to help purify the mind, and as a means of protection against undesirable events. |
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Should a Buddhist abstain from eating meat and taking alcohol even in moderation? The Buddha did not advise his followers to abstain from eating meat. He was aware that prohibition would make it difficult for people in certain cultures to survive as Buddhists. For example, for an Eskimo the only food available might be meat or fish. On such matters, Buddha left the choice up to the individual. One should be aware that killing an animal, even for food, has its kammic consequences. Buddhist monks will refrain from eating meat if they are aware that an animal has been specially killed for the offering. Alcohol or other forms of intoxicating drugs taken even in moderate quantities affect the mind. Keeping the mind clear and pure at all times is most important in Buddhist practise. Those who are following the path of purification should avoid them altogether. |
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Why do Buddhist monks not eat after noon and what food is suitable for offering? Buddhist
monks observe a strict code of conduct (vinaya) in order to discipline the body
and mind. Food is regarded simply as a means of keeping the body alive
so that the spiritual path may be followed. Food is not taken in order
to beautify the body or because it has a pleasant taste. Any type of food (not containing alcohol), which is normally taken by lay people, is suitable for offering to monks. According to the disciplinary rules (vinaya), monks are prohibited to eat meat of animals specially killed for the offering, if they are aware of it. The food should be offered to the monks (dana), which has been the tradition from the days of the Buddha. A dana (an act of generosity) should be conducted with wholesome thoughts, without the aim of selfish gain, expecting some benefit in return. |
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What is the Buddhist attitude to marriage? In most religions, a marriage
vow is taken before God. As there is no ‘God’ in Buddhism, a Buddhist
marriage is simply an affirmation of the couple’s commitment to live according
to the three refuges and the five precepts, in particular the third precept
on sexual conduct. The Buddha did not prescribe a form of marriage service,
although he did speak frequently about the duties and obligations to be
carried out by both parties. He regarded a successful marriage as fundamental
to the happiness and stability of society. In Buddhist countries certain ceromonies and rituals are performed during a marriage ceremony, but these are all later additions to satisfy peoples’ need. These rituals vary depending on the local culture and traditions of the people. |
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What are Buddhist funeral practices? Buddhists normally cremate the remains. This was a practice prevalent at the time of the Buddha as well. A Buddhist monk is invited to perform the last rites. The proceedings normally start by reciting panca-sila (pansil). The monk will then recite a stanza, which is a reminder of the impermanent and transient nature of all living things. Finally, a jug full of water is gradually emptied into a bowl until it overflows, while reciting a stanza with thoughts of metta towards the departed one. This is a symbolic gesture in which the water in the jug represents the merits aquired by the friends and relatives present by generating thoughts of metta, which are then transferred to the departed by pouring the water into the bowl. Seven days after death, it is usual to give a dana* to Buddhist monks, which is repeated after three months. The practices may differ widely depending on the particular culture, since there are no instructions in the ancient texts regarding funeral rites. Buddhists
believe that departed ones may be born into a state of existence where they may be
in a position to receive merits and thoughts of metta from the
living. It is believed that such merits when acquired by the departed
will result in wholesome kamma and enhance their future birth.
* Dana: An act of generosity, usually an offering of a meal and other basic requirements to a monk. But the Pali word dana has a much wider meaning, which includes using one's effort and wealth to alleviate suffering of others, caring for the sick and needy. The objective is to develop pure thoughts of selflessness and to reduce tanha. Dana should be given without any selfish motive of expecting something in return. |
