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Making offerings at an altar, in a monastery or at a sacred site is a way to help the practitioner remember what is most important in life. Various branches of Buddhism have differing practices and explanations for those practices, but the underlying intent to focus the mind is the same. A typical description of the symbolism of offerings is: Lighting a candle or butter lamp represents the light of wisdom scattering the darkness of ignorance. Burning incense reminds the practitioner of the fragrance of right behavior. Flowers represent the physical manifestations of Buddha, and food and water represent the nourishing aspect of the dharma (the path to enlightenment).
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∙ 16y ago
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∙ 13y agoThere are so many statues of the Buddha in the Buddhist religion because people are human and want statues. The Buddha did not want to be seen as anything more than a just a human, and asked that images of him not be made -- and for at least the first century or two footprints were the main way he was represented (what was left behind as he walked on the Path), but people like images for a variety of reasons, so eventually statues were made and he did get elevated in many sects to near godhood.
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∙ 12y agoWELL...their just making an offering, sort of like worshipping them. ACTUALLY, their not called "candles", they look like candles, but really not called candles...Oh and they also leave fruits as an offering too.
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∙ 12y agoFlowers are not only decorative, but they also show that the shrine is being cared for. The important thing is that they be replaced often and kept fresh. Coming to the shrine with fresh flowers daily will help you maintain a regular practice.
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∙ 11y agoWell, the Buddha was the founder of Buddhism. The Buddha, himself, actually did not want any statutes of him made and forbade it during his lifetime. He did not want his teachings to turn into a cult of himself. But, after his death, his followers wanted a physical example of what they themselves aspire to, so it became practice to have a statue of the Buddha in some serene pose, usually meditating, or resting, as a reminder of his teachings in thier shrine rooms and temples.
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∙ 14y agoA frequent motif in movies is a Buddhist temple with a statue of a seated Buddha as the focus of attention. Members of Christian sects look on this and see a parallel to the crosses and religious statues of saints in their own churches and assume that the Buddha is being worshipped, and consequently that the Buddha is a "god"
In the Buddhist case the statue is a more of an aide-mémoire, something to help them remember the meaning of the Buddha's teachings and honor his memory as the person who first expressed the potential we all have of escaping the cycle of death and re-birth and developed a route for us to follow to this goal..
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∙ 12y agoto help them focus on a particular manifestation of his aluminate d character
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∙ 14y agoto represent life and soul
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What has the author Dipak Chandra Bhattacharyya written?
Dipak Chandra Bhattacharyya has written: 'Buddhist shrines' -- subject(s): Buddhist shrines
What has the author M C Subhadradis Diskul written?
M. C. Subhadradis Diskul has written: 'History of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha' -- subject(s): Buddhist Temples, Buddhist shrines, History, Shrines, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Temples, Buddhist
Do Buddhist have candles when they pray?
Buddhists do not pray as they have no deity. They may meditate and candles or incense may be present.
Why are weddings held at Shinto shrines and funerals held at Buddhist temples?
Ghandi lovers goml
What were Japan's Buddhist shrines called?
It is called a Pagoda, but it was developed from the Indian dome structure called a Stupa.
What has the author Christophe Munier written?
Christophe Munier has written: 'Sacred rocks and Buddhist caves in Thailand' -- subject(s): Buddhist Cave temples, Buddhist antiquities, Buddhist shrines, Cave temples, Buddhist, Religious aspects, Religious aspects of Rocks, Religious life and customs, Rocks
Do Japanese people often go to Shinto shrines for death rites?
No, roughly 90% of Japanese funerals are Buddhist in nature.
What other type of structure did the Indians create to honor the Buddha?
Stupas. Stupas are Buddhist shrines that have the shape of a dome or mound.
Where is Buddhism no longer the dominant religion?
Afghanistan was a very Buddhist area in the distant past and there are still some Buddhist shrines carved into cliffsides in Afghanistan. I don't think that there are any Buddhists there anymore.
Where do Japanes people pray?
Places one might go to pray in Japan would commonly be Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples.
What is a Buddhist shrine?
A Buddhist Shrine can vary from place to place. The Indian Emperor Ashoka created large stone pillars with sacred Buddhist writings. Other Shrines could include temples or simply statues to the Buddha.
What is the place of worship for Japanese?
There are two widespread points of 'worship;' Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Other religions are represented in Japan, but not to as great extent.
