Aspect Of Buddhism

             The most devoted followers of the Buddha were organized into a sangha. Its
             members were identified by their shaved heads and robes made of un-sewn orange
             cloth. The early Buddhist monks, or bhikkus, wandered from place to place, settling
             down in communities only during the rainy season when travel was difficult.
             Theravadan monks and nuns were humble and obtained their food in the form of
             offering on a daily round of the homes of 'Lay' devotees. Among the traditional
             functions of the Buddhist monks are the performance of funerals and memorial
             services in honor of the dead. Major elements of such services include the chanting of
             scripture and transfer of merit for the benefit of the deceased. (1, 3)
             Lay worship in Buddhism is primarily done individual rather than
             congregational. Although technically the Buddha is not worshipped through
             Theravada, worship is done through the stupa. A stupa is a dome-like structure
             containing a relic. Devotees walk around the dome in a clockwise direction, carrying
             flowers and incense as a sign of respect. The relic is the Buddha's tooth in Sri Lanka. It
             is the focus of a popular festival on the Buddha's birthday. The Buddha's birthday is
             celebrated in every Buddhist country. In Theravada this celebration is known as
             Vaisakha, the month after the Buddha was born. Popular in Theravada cultures is a
             ceremony known as pirit, or protection, in which readings from a collection of
             protective charms from the Pali canon are conducted to exorcise evil spirits, cure
             illness, bless new buildings, and achieve other benefits. This was a popular practice
             that practitioners of Buddhism, monks, did to help them reach Nirvana. (1, 3, 4, 5)
             In Mahayana cultures, ritual is more important than in Theravada cultures.
             Images of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas on temple altars and in the homes of
             ...

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