Buddhism - Worship

1. Buddhists do not worship a Creator God.

2. Buddhists can worship at home, or in a temple.

3.T here are many different types of Buddhist worship.

4. At home they will make a shrine.

5. The shrine will have a statue of the Buddha, candles and an incense burner.

6. A Buddhist temple must have a statue of the Buddha.

7. Buddhist worshippers often sit on the floor, barefoot, facing the statue.

8. It is important that their feet face away from the statue of the Buddha.

9. Buddhist worshippers bow to the statue of the Buddha.

10. Offerings are made while chanting special verses or mantras.

11. These may include incense, to represent the spread of the Buddha’s teaching.

12. Candles may also be offered, which represent the Buddha’s wisdom.

13. Chanting, meditation, prayers, readings from religious texts and music are elements of Buddhist worship.

14. A mantra is a word, syllable, phrase or short prayer that is spoken once or repeated over and over again.

15. Prayer beads may be used to count the repetitions of a mantra.

16. Mantras may also be found on prayer wheels, and repeated by spinning the wheel.

17. Prayer wheels can be small things carried by Buddhists, or large objects found in monasteries.

18. Many Buddhists become monks.

19. Buddhist monks do not have to make a commitment for life.

20. Buddhist monks live a life free of desire, spending much time meditating, teaching, reading, studying and chanting.

21. They make alms rounds, carrying alms bowls in which local people place food.

22. Sometimes Buddhist monks shave their heads and eyebrows to show they have no ego or vanity.