Year 10 - Religious education
Devotional practices
Buddhism: Practices
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 the role and significance of chanting and mantras in devotional practices for Buddhists today.
Key Notes
- Chanting and mantra recitation are ways of learning and showing devotion to the Buddha's Dhamma.
- Chanting the Three Jewels (Triratna) is common to many schools of Buddhism.
- Many Buddhists use malas to count mantras or breaths in meditation.
- Mantra recitation is believed to evoke enlightenment.
Vocabulary To Learn
- chanting: singing or rhythmic repetition of a word, prayer, or sound
- malas: strings of beads used as a prayer aid
- mantra recitation: a short sequence of words or syllables chanted repetitively as a form of meditation
- the Three Jewels (Triratna): refers to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Chanting and mantras in Buddhism bring instant blessings or results just by saying the words.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Chanting and mantra recitation are ways of learning and showing devotion to the Buddha's Dhamma. Chanting the Three Jewels (Triratna) is common to many schools of Buddhism.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'chanting'
singing or rhythmic repetition of a word, prayer, or sound.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Chanting and mantras in Buddhism bring instant blessings or results just by saying the words. Correction: Chanting and mantras help Buddhists to focus the mind, develop qualities like compassion and evoke enlightenment.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Buddhist festivals in Britain Study Guide
- Buddhist temples in Britain and globally Study Guide
- Death and mourning in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism 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
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