Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will examine practices in Buddhism such as puja and meditation. They will understand the considerable diversity of these practices among Buddhist adherents. Following that they wil look at the role of precepts and how these look different in Therevada and Mahayna Buddhism.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain Buddhist beliefs about death and how this belief is shown through different Buddhist death ceremonies and rituals.

Key Notes

• There are divergent death ceremonies and rituals across the Buddhist traditions and countries.
• The Buddhist ceremonies and rituals are a reminder of the impermenent nature of all things (anicca).
• Theravada Buddhists may practise good deeds to pass merit/positive kamma on to the deceased.
• Some Tibetan Buddhists read from the sacred text the 'Tibetan Book of the Dead' following the 49 days after death.
• In Japan, some Buddhists practise the ceremony of 'bone picking'.

Vocabulary To Learn

• Bardo state: refers to a transitional period in which the deceased becomes aware of their death, rebirth is determined
• Kamma (karma): the belief in cause and effect
• rebirth: refers to the belief that when a being dies they are reborn
• samsara: the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The Buddhist belief in rebirth teaches that after death, a persons 'soul' is reborn in to another living being.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Buddhist festivals in Britain Study Guide
• Buddhist temples in Britain and globally Study Guide
• Devotional practices Study Guide
• Features and functions of Buddhist places of worship Study Guide
• Festivals and retreats Study Guide
• Forms of meditation: samatha and mettabhavana Study Guide
• Forms of meditation: vipassana Study Guide
• Puja and mudras Study Guide
• The role of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in meditation Study Guide