Objects of Worship

Test yourself

Buddhist Objects of Devotion

Buddhists use objects for devotion like most religions.

Buddharupas

Buddharupa means 'form of the awakened one'; the statues of those who have reached Buddhahood.
Common features:
- Long fingers and toes.
- Long, slim nose.
- Elongated earlobes, to remind us of his time as a prince who would have worn jewellery.
- A bump at the top of the head to represent the spirituality and wisdom.
- Broad shoulders.
Images sometimes show Buddha reclining as when he died.
The statue is sometimes holding symbolic objects. In India it is topless but in China and Japan it has a tunic on.

Bodhi Tree

The Bodhi Tree was the large, ancient and sacred fig tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, under which the Buddha meditated and where he achieved enlightenment.
The direct descendant of the original tree was supposedly planted in 288BCE at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya today and is one of the four most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists.
On Bodhi Day, the 8th of December, Buddhists greet each other with the phrase 'may the peace of Buddha be yours'.

Offerings

Offerings are used as a preparation for meditation.
Symbolic offerings are made to the Triple Gem, which are typically candles, incense, flowers and food and drink.
They accumulate merit in hope of a better rebirth.
In Thai culture, offerings are placed on Phan trays.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

Jump to other topics