The Insights of Buddhists Religion

The Insights of Buddhists Religion

Student’s Name

Institution of Affiliation

Inside the Buddharangsi Temple in Florida.

Ever since its advent, the Buddhist religion has no restrictions on race, gender, sexuality, and nationality. According to LEFFERTS (2017), there is no existence of God as the Supreme being in Buddhism. Instead, it is a faith of the awareness which promotes own understanding, inner transparency, and pleasant demeanor. Precisely, Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha all over the world for guidance. The doctrine focuses on ending suffering and perpetrates on living a life of happiness, compassion, wisdom, and joy. In Florida, they practice Theravada Buddhism which depicts spiritual attainment for the liberation of suffering.

Before my visit at Wat Buddharangsi Temple, I reached out to the Bhikku, an ordained Buddhist religious leader informing him of my appointment and interest in researching their religion. Additionally, I inquired on the moral conduct and ethics expected from visitors to the temple to prepare accordingly. Later, I received an email from the monk indicating that I was only required to dress modestly, not to wear a hut or cover the head, and not to carry any form of weapons. Likewise, the monk stated the time and date for a visit and noted that I would learn the religious procedures on arrival.

            On the recommended date; Friday, I attended the sermon having complied to the expected morals and ethics. Before entering the temple, I noticed that every nun and monk was bowing three times at the statue of the Buddha. BURNS (2018) reviews that bowing to the Buddha’s sculpture is a sign of respect to his teachings. However, I was not to bend since it was not compulsory for non-Buddhists. When entering the temple, one would leave their shoes outside and uncover their heads by removing hats and scarfs.  Given the sitting arrangement, members of different sex were to stay separate as it’s according to the ethics of the religion.

The Buddhists wore different colors of the robe which represented various aspects of faith (LEFFERT, 2017). The colors varied from maroon, brown and orange. Along the temple walls, there was a decoration of various arts such as the lotus flower which signifies purity and enlightened. The second was the endless knot presenting eternal harmony, and third the golden fish meaning spousal contentment and liberty. Accordingly there the banner of victory portraying successful fights, and correspondingly the wheel of dharma representing knowledge.

Similarly, there was the treasure vase which signified inexhaustible treasure and wealth. There was also the parasol demonstrating the crown and the safeguard from dangerous elements. Finally, there was the conch shell signifying the Buddha's judgments. According to the Buddhists, there is no particular book like the Bible or the Quran as it is in Christianity and Muslim religion. Instead, they use sacred texts known as the Sutras. LEFFERTS (2017) further reviews that The Pali canon contains the holy writings, and their purpose is instilling law, character, and spirituality among its people. Among the teachings of the sermon were to refrain from killing, lying, stealing, sexual misconduct, and drug abuse.

At the temple, the service proceedings, were very different from other religions as there was no music and instruments. The congregation recited and chanted the Sutras in one cohesion. Moreover, they used the Madras which are symbolic hand gestures while praying to enhance spiritual attainment and self-actualization. Among other rituals was the prayer wheel which contained the mantras and members would recite the text written on the wheel on every spin. According to BURNS (2018), silence is essential during meditation since it is one of their rituals during the sermon. Meditation allows mental concentration and mindfulness which enhances in focusing on one’s suffering and the road to liberation. As well, there was chanting of the mantras, also known as the sacred sounds known to have spiritual powers. The mantras were also recited to prevent evil and misfortune such as illnesses and death. Later in the day, I discovered that there was going to be an evening session and I tagged along to quench my curiosity. During the evening rituals, the ritual bell would be rung to signify the begging of the ceremony. Besides, there were several bells with different meanings. For instance, there was the bell for good lack which meant detaining evil spirits during the sermon.

Some of the significant symbols among the Buddhists was the shaving of the head which every member of the Buddhist would comply with to become a part of the congregation. Moreover, shaving the hair was a ritual, and it meant simplicity and the willingness to focus on Buddha’s teachings (LEFFERTS, 2017). Prayer position was another symbol where they all joined hands in a way like the lotus petals which they compared their limbs as it signified purity. Also, the wearing of their robes meant detachment from worldly possessions because they all bared a dull color. Surprisingly, I discovered that members of different sex were not allowed to shake hands and instead were to put palms of their hands together and raise them to their chin. Likewise, I learned that all Buddhists were vegetarians because they respect the life of all living things. Besides, it’s against their teachings to take away life.

From the teachings, I learned that pain and suffering are self-conflicted caused by ego-based desires. For instance, mental distress does not exist. Instead, it is an illusion created in one’s mind. Therefore, people should choose what to let in their minds to stay free from suffering. I enjoyed the sermon because its teachings are logic and they apply on our daily life. For instance, it bases most of its lessons on karma which is a law of cause and effect where one pays for mistakes done.

References

BURNS, S. (2018). One Day. Sarasota Magazine, 40(10), 24.

LEFFERTS, L. (2017). Northeast Thai-Lao Theravada Buddhism: Peripheral, Central, or Varietal? Journal of global south studies, 34(2), 225-248.