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PRACTICE

BEFORE this lesson: Read Todd Lewis' article "Representations of Buddhism in Undergraduate Teaching: The Centrality of Ritual and Story Narratives", 45-52 here.

PUJA/RITUAL

To do puja as a Buddhist may involve making offerings (flowers, incense, fruit), chanting mantras (which is not the same as praying), making prostrations, or giving food to monks. The purpose of doing puja is to earn merit or good karma. One usually offers puja to a specific manifestation of the Buddha: in Tibet and Nepal, both countries that practice a form of Mahayana Buddhism, it is usually Avalokitesvara or Manjusri; in Thailand and other countries where Theravada dominates, puja is done to honor the Three Jewels--the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha:

• Tibet and Nepal: Prayer Flags and prayer flags explained and Prayer Wheels (hand-held wheel; water powered wheel) Article here.
• Thailand: Alms-giving
• Tibet: Sky Burial

HONORS CHALLENGE: View the video of Vajrayana Buddhist Priest Naresh Bajracarya peforming a Newari Caitya (stupa-making) Ritual and read/view the accompanying articles, here, here , here and here) about the benefits of making stupas. Research the significance of the stupa (NEP: Caitya; TIB: Chorten; CHIN: Pagoda--architectural map here) to lay Buddhists. Explore the significance to a lay Buddhist family of the caitya or stupa making ritual. What is the involved in the ritual for the family (as opposed to the presiding priest)? What are their objectives? Can you think of any corollaries in the Judeo-Islamic-Christina traditions?

PILGRIMAGE

A pilgrimage is a journey, usually a very difficult one, taken for a spiritual purpose. The pilgrim (traveler) may be in search of forgiveness, healing or, in the case of Buddhist pilgrims, MERIT. Thus, a true pilgrimage is an interior quest

• India: Eight Great Actions of the Buddha [Link here to Dave's site]; see the stupa-making ritual and related articles above.
• Tibet: To Mount Kailas (video)/Short Video showing a prostrating pilgrim
• Thailand: Soi Duthep Temple (video)

FESTIVALS

• Nepal: BungaDyah, Chariot Fesitval of the Red God
• Tibet: Saga Dawa, Monthlong celebration of Buddha's Birthday and Enlightenment
• Thailand: Songkran (New Year)

THAI/CHINESE FESTIVAL [This is NOT a Buddhist festival--but it does raise interesting questions about religion and culture!!]: The Phuket Vegetarian Festival NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!!! How does this compare to the Newari rituals that call for animal sacrifice? Why do strict vegetarians who espouse nonviolence explain self-mutilation and the killing of animals?