5
votes
Accepted
Should we bath after funeral?
Buddhists usually cremate the bodies. But there's no Buddhist funeral law. You may or may not bath before, after or during the funeral if you see any health benefit to it.
- 25.7k
5
votes
Is there a ritual free form of Buddhism?
Yes. The "original tradition" i.e. of the time of the Buddha himself, did not have a lot of the rituals and customs that are practised today.
There was some recitation of the Dhamma and Vinaya, but ...
- 36k
4
votes
Accepted
How death anniversaries take place by Buddhist rituals?
Sadhu, Nyom. What ever day, is a good day to show respect toward the ancestors, to give Alms to the Sangha to benefit them, to listen to the Dhamma by your self.
Don't forget, if it had not been done ...
3
votes
Accepted
Food enchanted by spells (SN 7.8)
See pages 96-97 of Piya Tan's essay:
The Saṁyutta Commentary paraphrases the significance of the two verses, thus (as the Buddha’s
arrière pensée):
Though I have stood for such a long ...
- 44.8k
3
votes
Ṛta, ritual and Buddhism
Clinging to rites and rituals
It is mis-belief in something miracle and shortcut. It is mis-belief in worshipping the creator or god can bring the worshipper's liberation/salvation. It is something ...
- 1,119
3
votes
Is there anything one can do to save the deceased from the consequences of their Kamma?
I like to make the following points (from a Theravada standpoint.):
Sañcetanika Sutta and Loṇa,phala Sutta deals with how Karma can be eradicated or results can be limited.
If you have done a large ...
3
votes
What is done with offerings after they've been on the altar awhile?
It is also often given as gifts to volunteers or lay members of the temple who can/will use it. It is a gesture of kindness/compassion, as well as giving a blessing to that persons body in the form of ...
- 31
2
votes
Accepted
Significance of Three Customs Involving String
Chanting and good thoughts of the monks (even any other being) generate positive vibes. The string is used as a better means of conducting the vibration than may be air. (If you attach a tin to the ...
2
votes
Accepted
Is ritual described in the Pali canon?
I do not know of a sutta where the Buddha suggested ritual. (There may be one; I just don't know of it.) But I do know of a sutta where the Buddha guided a follower to understand that ritual is ...
- 9,492
2
votes
Social context of Buddhist rituals
In a sense, this series of questions is probably too broad to be answered in this format. Given Buddhism's 2,558 year history, it's rich and varied traditions, and it's spread throughout Asia and much ...
- 9,492
2
votes
Accepted
Information on string ceremony
While the recital continues there will be found a pot of water placed
on a table before the monks. On this table there is also a sacred
thread (pirit nula). For an all night pirit ceremony the casket
...
- 25.7k
2
votes
Should we bath after funeral?
Bath after funeral is proper, if bath make wholesome consciousness arise.
But bath after funeral is not proper, if bath make unwholesome consciousness arise.
- 6,058
2
votes
Is there any ritual or ceremony for House-Warming?
Generally, we invite Sangha for a meal.
After the meal, they chant some blessings.
In Sri Lanka, we have overnight Pirith chanting in the new house.
- 5,608
2
votes
Accepted
Ṛta, ritual and Buddhism
Sīlabbata-parāmāsa: Attachment to rites and rituals
I struggle with this one but I think the key word here is attachment. Coffee, tea, cell phones: at what level is the attachment? Being aware of ...
- 144
2
votes
How does one do an "eye opening" for a new statue?
In Thailand you can take to the Abbot in a temple. They will do a blessing and open the eye. I have one Buddha I took to the temple In Koh Phangan and the Abbot actually drew on the Buddhas eyes and ...
- 21
2
votes
Online Funeral vs Actual Funeral (Buddhism)
Funeral rituals do not determine whether a dead person goes to heaven or hell.
Instead, their own karma determines their outcome.
The following sutta (SN 42.6) explains this.
Then Asibandhakaputta ...
- 36k
2
votes
Accepted
Baby Buddha Bathing
The Buddha himself discouraged focusing on his form and instead recommended to focus on the teachings (Dhamma).
Vakkali: “For a long time, venerable sir, I have wanted to come to see the
Blessed One, ...
- 36k
1
vote
Food enchanted by spells (SN 7.8)
Based on ChrisW's answer, the standard commentaries seem to be of the opinion that food offered as remuneration for teaching the Dhamma is not accepted by the Buddhas. They also reject the idea that ...
- 36k
1
vote
Accepted
Does Vinaya allow monks to do priestly rituals for the laity?
Nothing should be given as a matter of exchange, gain, honor... that is clear.
Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha ceremony
Who else should give refuge? There is nothing wrong with it, but the ...
- 266
1
vote
Budhist monastery rituals
I believe Singapore can be a good stop to visit many Buddhist Temples from different regions. There are
Thai Buddhist Temple
Burmese Buddhist Temple
Sri Lanka Buddhist temple
Buddha Tooth Relic ...
- 461
1
vote
Accepted
How prevalent are siddhis in buddhism?
Siddhi - a paranormal power possessed by a siddha – is a true phenomenon. These are certain by-products of the practice itself. But just as gain, respect and fame can become obstacles to liberation, ...
- 9,587
1
vote
Ṛta, ritual and Buddhism
Rituals can have their useful and beneficial functions, such as reinforcing teachings of morality, Karma, generosity, humility, surrender, etc. They can even be taken as opportunities to exercise ...
- 345
1
vote
Ṛta, ritual and Buddhism
Following is a good writeup on rights and rituals:
SILABBATA PARAMASA is generally translated into meaning the adherence to wrongful rites, rituals and ceremonies. Believing that a wrong practice is ...
1
vote
What would be some Japanese Buddhist/Shinto routines or rituals that households will do?
This article about Buddhism in Japan mentions visiting temples, having an altar, saying grace, and greetings.
Some traditional Japanese arts have Buddhist influences or applications: including flower ...
- 44.8k
1
vote
Rituals in Buddhism
Are there any rituals in Buddhism?
Culturally there is. E.g. Kandy Esala Perahera. Even morality or even service or even generosity sometimes maybe in the form f a rite or ritual. There can be some ...
1
vote
Is there anything one can do to save the deceased from the consequences of their Kamma?
There is a sutta (can't find it now) documenting a case when someone asked Buddha about posthumous prayers helping a sinful person obtain better rebirth and his reply basically was that this was like ...
- 56.9k
1
vote
What does breaking the fetter 'Clinging to rites and rituals' actually mean?
The coarser or more general context:
It's about not being attached to symbolic rites and rituals or taking them to be literally true.
For e.g. from SN 7.21:
The Buddha said to Sangarava:
“Is it ...
- 36k
1
vote
Is ritual described in the Pali canon?
Most of the Buddhist rituals are about paying respect to the Triple Gem. Paying respect is praised and encouraged in the Suttas.
Asevanā ca bālānaṃ paṇḍitānañca sevanā,
Pūjā ca pūjanīyānaṃ etaṃ ...
- 25.7k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible