The form and meaning of worship in Buddhism.VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.

The ceremony is a noble act of putting faith and admiration towards the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Sages of the Sangha. Knowing down means showing humble qualities and showing gratitude and grace that Buddhists always pay attention to, gracious merit.

The forms of worship in Buddhism 

Besides, in Buddhism, the worship also represents many other meanings such as the righteousness ceremony, the pure decoration of the ceremony, the equal truth and the transformation of the dharma precepts. First of all, we will only mention the way of worshiping Buddhists, but the above ways will be presented in the meaningful chapter.

1. The way of bowing of the Buddhists

In the Western Great Path, the record of book 2 records; India 9 from Lord called Western Region Nine guests as follows:

Spokesman Lt problem ceremony: That is worship by opening health to

surcharges contest homage ceremony worship by bowing down to

just try high hatching holidays : That is, the worshiping ceremony by raising your hands high and bow to

the Grand Master of the ceremony: This means the ceremony by holding your hand equally to bow to the object of the ceremony.

Killing the ceremony: Means the ceremony by kneeling.

Formal school: Means worship by lying down on your knees.

Prime all the ceremony: That is the ceremony by kneeling hands and knees to the ground.

Pentecostal ceremony: That is, the worshiping ceremony by the five stems are bowed down.

The first five ceremonial ceremony: That is, the worshiping ceremony is sown in the ground by five grains.

These nine ways of bowing later went into Buddhism, sometimes still used in some sects.

2. The way of bowing of the Mahayana Bodhisattva

This way of bowing is also called the holy way of bowing. The goal is to manifest the realm of the Buddhas. That is, the world belongs to the legal nature of the Buddhas to abide and see the Buddha body directly, to see the pure dharmakaya of the Buddhas.

- Righteousness ceremony: Means contemplating the true dharma of the Buddhas appearing in front of them. Using contemplative meditation to illuminate the Buddha body appearing in front of you to make prostrations.

- To develop pure wisdom: For meditators, to practice meditation until pure wisdom arises from the realm of mind, not pure wisdom arising from the mind. When pure wisdom arises from the true mind is Buddhahood in one's pure mind and use it to pay homage to the dharmakaya of the Buddhas of the ten dharma realms. The dharmakaya of the Buddhas of the ten dharma realms all arise from their pure mind, their pure wisdom also arising from the common pure mind of the ten dharma realms. Therefore, one who prostrates a Buddha is to do unobstructed prostration to all the Buddhas of the ten directions.

- The truth is equal to ceremony: This way of prostrating must use wisdom to contemplate the truth of all things that are shown equally, without any difference. There is no multiplication, self, contempt and try. The people who do the worshiping do not see themselves bowing and the people who let us do them. Use wisdom to contemplate the truth of all things to realize that: Body and person, body and use, mortal and holy all are incomparable.

- Turn into the legal world ceremony: That is, using your pure wisdom bowl wisdom, contemplate your body and mind where you transform into the legal realm of all things in a comfortable way. Dharma realm of boundless nature, is where the Buddhas dwell to incarnate sentient beings.

Each religion, belief or society has different forms of worshiping rituals, expressing people's desire to respect those who they find respectful, respectful and grateful. For Buddhism, rituals and rituals are considered as a means, both expressing a noble gesture in life, and reflecting a Buddhist mindful move during the practice towards liberation. Enlightenment.

The meaning of worship in Buddhism

For Buddhist students, the problem of bowing to the Buddha is a very powerful means to help the practitioner to increase good dhamma and incarnate Buddha nature. Again, if this method is built on belief, it is possible to generate all the merit that the Buddha-student is wishing for.

"Faithful faith in the original merit of the Mother Mother
nurturing is essential to have good roots
Escape from samsara, out of delusion
Directly unscrupulous nirvana "

(Tin is the source of faith, is the mother of merit
Nurturing the root of good causes to grow
Free of birth and death, out of the line of delusion
Until straight nirvana, nothingness High wisdom)

Feasting the Buddha's faith with devotion causes the practitioner to develop good deeds and eliminate wrong thoughts. The Buddha here does not have to beg forgiveness or ask for some salvation, but the Buddha will obtain the following virtuous actions: Veneration

in worship

Every person living in society must have a relationship. In that interdependence, people are able to exist and develop. Therefore, the life or existence of each person has a meaning of gratitude. Without respect, morality ceases and all things do not exist. But if people only know how to protect the ego, take pride in thinking that you are the center of the universe, do not know to recognize the causal nature of existence, you cannot receive progress in spiritual morality and easily fall into instinctive action. If a person respects the good, from the very beginning they have generated good dhamma and will certainly achieve it. For example, when bowing to the Buddha, the bodhisattvas, the venerable ones think that they cannot match them, moved with compassion, feel ashamed, then the self-centeredness disappears.

Seeing that we are too small and lowly, humility arises, that is merit. Besides, the respect because of the respectful remembrance of the spirit, the aura of the one who lost the person still sympathizes, mutates and transforms for each other. That way the revered person will easily achieve what the person they respect has accomplished. Because they do not grasp the meaning of reverence and prostration, many Buddhists often understand the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and sages as a god who has the power to bless and thus they pay homage just because pleading purpose. We must understand that the Buddhas are liberating beings, omniscient, not omnipotent. Thank you for the compassion that you want for humanity to realize reality in order to get rid of the bondage of suffering that I honor him. Therefore, the respect, the prostration must be consistent with impermanence, the law of cause and effect, not deifying or hypnotizing superstitions; Only then have the opportunity to correct himself and follow his example.

For the Dharma, honoring or prostrating the dharma is to show gratitude and respect for the Buddha's teachings, because it is a guide to help us get rid of suffering. In life, if we perform such mental prostrations, we will be able to escape samsara and be certain to attain the state of nirvana right in the present life.

Bowing and honoring the Sangha because it is an ideal image, the ranks of the Buddha volunteering to guide sentient beings on the path. Moreover, the Sangha is an ideal type of society, living in seclusion, renunciation, and selfishness to preserve true happiness and light for life. Because of this understanding, we respect and honor. Buddhism advocates self-awareness and also means enlightenment. A Western writer said: “Buddhism is a way of how to get the greatest benefit from life. Buddhism is a religion of wisdom in which knowledge and intelligence prevail. The Buddha did not teach inductive but to enlighten the listener. However, even with great respect for the Buddha and the sage, thinking that Buddhism is a sublime doctrine, the mystery of ordinary people cannot be put into practice in everyday life, then that is a misconception due to ignorance of Buddha and his teachings. The Buddha's teachings are very human, very close, applicable to everyone studying Buddha and the rule that establishes the bliss and happiness common to all human beings. The Ministry's Sutras teach: "A noble person should treat hermits, Brahmin of the upper side in five ways; gentle gestures, gentle words, delicate thought, do not close the door when he comes, offering food ”. That is a noble gesture and noble attitude. offering food ”. That is a noble gesture and noble attitude. offering food ”. That is a noble gesture and noble attitude.

To an ideal leader, the Buddha taught: "You must follow the righteousness, respect the dharma, respect the dharma, think about the dharma, honor the dharma, praise the dharma, set up the method, the flag of the Dharma, and protection of female bodies, gods, soldiers, people, laypeople, village, urban, novice, brahmin, up to animals ". Thus, the Buddha's grace as well as his teachings are of great value, not only in the field of purification of the body and mind, but also in social stability and national security. Honoring the Buddha and his teachings should have an accurate, humanistic view that should not be understood in a too mechanical or indifferent way. Looking back at the golden dynasties of our country under Dinh, Le, Ly and Tran dynasties, thanks to honoring Buddha and his teachings, cleverly applying it to the cause of national construction that the whole embassy has achieved. peace and prosperity. Returning to Asoka, an emperor with an unprecedented history and career, he is the king who once honored and lived according to the Dharma for more than one of his life. Making the country peaceful, the entire population is at peace. Geoffrey Mortiner, a Western writer, has seen Asoka as a great example: “Back in Buddhism you will read that Asoka not only preaches noble morality, but has used the authority of one. emperor in one method, to shame the modern emperors of other beliefs ”. Knowing how to honor, respect and follow the Buddha as well as his teachings are also many other benefits that we continue to mention below. Making the country peaceful, the entire population is at peace. Geoffrey Mortiner, a Western writer, has seen Asoka as a great example: “Back in Buddhism you will read that Asoka not only preaches noble morality, but has used the authority of one. emperor in one method, to shame the modern emperors of other beliefs ”. Knowing how to honor, respect and follow the Buddha as well as his teachings are also many other benefits that we continue to mention below. Making the country peaceful, the entire population is at peace. Geoffrey Mortiner, a Western writer, has seen Asoka as a great example: “Back in Buddhism you will read that Asoka not only preaches noble morality, but has used the authority of one. emperor in one method, to shame the modern emperors of other beliefs ”. Knowing how to honor, respect and follow the Buddha as well as his teachings are also many other benefits that we continue to mention below.

Meaning of repentance

Some critics ignorance of Buddhism as pathological, cynical, lurking on the dark, dark side of life, enemies of harmless pleasures, indifferently trampling on pleasures. innocence of life. They see Buddhism as pessimistic, cultivate hopeless attitudes about life, and encourage a general sense of ambiguity. Perhaps they have not yet realized the system of teachings of the Buddha, but only look at a sketch of the concepts. He does not stop by showing us life as suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, but also teaching us to practice the way of ending suffering. There are many people who think that the image of the Buddha is the embodiment of peace, tranquility, hope and goodwill, his radiant smile is the essence of the teachings. If once in a mood of anxiety and disappointment, his smile is an effective tonic and unrivaled comfort. Indeed, with what is in him when we face him, paying homage to him, kindness will surely arise and be ready to eliminate the three poisons of greed, hatred, delusion, unwholesome delusions, causes of pain. sinful suffering no longer conditions to rise.

The word repentance in Buddhism means eliminating previous mistakes and resolutely getting rid of the causes of later sin. Paying homage to him is to honor the true features, goodness and beauty, and weaken the evil seeds. Truth, goodness and beauty increase, the notion of immorality and death will gradually weaken. The Buddha taught: "Metaphysical questions are not beneficial, have nothing to do with Dharma, do not lead to morality, to let go, to transform desire, or to silence, to bliss, to understand. know really or profound insight, nirvana "... That is also the benefit and purpose of the dharma. Accordingly, one can determine how to transform and sublimate for oneself. The body of sentient beings is the result of delusion in the past, sentient beings are also the heirs of karma, so in life no one dares to claim that there is no sin, greed, anger,

Repentance is also the most essential to eliminating sin, through prostration one reminds himself of good deeds and keeps the image of the omniscient being always in mind. The Buddha also taught to respect those who deserve respect. He just stated that he should perform with devotion and attention like meditation, self training, self discipline and self control. That practice requires the object to rest in peace of mind. If not, the concentration and concentration of thoughts will be very difficult. Buddhists often use the image of the Buddha as an object to cultivate kindness or as a meditation object. Thanks to that, they can easily focus their thoughts and generate compassion. Due to regularly paying homage to such contemplation, the image of the perfect Buddha will go deep into the unconscious, inhibiting the motives of creating karma.

According to the law of cause and effect, sin cannot be eradicated by an external force, but only corrected by an antidote is not causing evil and doing good deeds "only evil, good works". In Buddhism, sin is not caused by violating or disobeying the laws of a certain supreme being, but by man's erroneous actions through body, speech, or mind which are affected by defilements. si. Therefore, There is no question of praying in Buddhism in the ordinary sense, that is, asking for forgiveness of sins, because people are responsible for themselves and no one else will take their place for the blessed deeds. there.

In the Abhayaparittagatha teaching: "Recite the mighty virtue of the three treasures to dispel worries and fears in the mind. Wherever there is blessing, there is the gathering place of gods. Thus eliminate the injustice. Praying for others' well-being and proclaiming the power of omniscient, poisonous and holy Buddhas is also a way to bring peace and fearlessness. Particularly in Buddhism there is a practice method called penance Hong Kong. This confession belongs to the, compiled by the shaman of the Song Dynasty China. He withdraws 53 Buddha titles from the "Five Tenths of the Buddha" sutra, from Pho Quang to the Most Venerable Dharma of the Manchildren, plus 35 Buddhist titles in the Medicine Master, Medicine Thuong, with Amitabha Dharma. Finally added the shelf Pho Hien great prayer into penance.

Regarding the value of this Dharma of confession, Venerable Thien Hoa wrote: “This penance ritual, if one respects sincerely, will eliminate afflictions and sins that have been created in the present life as well as in many past lives. . The Buddha Bhikkhu said, 'If any being hears the name of these 53 Buddhas, then hundreds of thousands of lives will not fall into the three evil paths'. Buddha Shakyamuni said, "In the past, during the life of the Buddha Dieu Quang, I went to practice in order to end the Dharma, by listening to this 53 Buddha name and sincerely worshiping, to avoid suffering in the path of samsara to many lives." There are the following 35 titles of Buddha, from Sakyamuni to Bao Padmasambhava, the Buddha said in the Sutta: 'If all sentient beings either commit the five rebellions or the evil ten to eternity they cannot be repent, just confess the title of these 35 Buddhas and worship, many crimes are eliminated ".

In a nutshell, a confession ceremony is not meant to plead with you for forgiveness. Because in the method of prostrating the Buddha has practical benefits for the body and mind, typically the following purposes:

1. Find a practical way to make the human mind clean, free of the mistakes in the present life, but also eliminates past crimes.

2. Seek to develop great actions, imitating the wise examples of the sages.

Thanks to these 2 methods, the following benefits will be obtained:

Developing honesty.
Cultivate steadfastness in eliminating evil.
Get rid of sin and be blessed.
Hurry straight to the liberating place happily.

Currently, the monasteries in our country have forms of practice such as monthly repenting, Thuy Sam, and Luong Hoang Sam. At Quang Huong Gia Lam Monastery, at 4:00 to 4:30 a day, the monks practiced prostrating the sutra ritual compiled by the late Venerable Tri Thu, not only for the purpose of contemplating, commemorating, and contemplating to help faith, conduct, vow to increase and purify body and mind.END=NAM MO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.27/8/2020.