Puja
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.3.17
Puja
Puja is a Sanskrit word that roughly translates to ‘worship’. Buddhists do not worship a god in the way most other religions do. It is better to think of it as referring to the various forms of ceremony and prayer that Buddhists practice.
Why Buddhists perform puja
- To show respect to the Buddha.
- To think about the Buddha's teachings that help to guide their lives.
- To help themselves achieve mindfulness.
- To be more aware of the causes of suffering.
Making offerings
- Buddhists leave gifts before statues of the Buddha to show respect. For example:
- Lit candles are a symbol of wisdom.
- Flowers are a symbol of impermanence. They bloom, then fade and die.
Bowing
- Bowing down is an act of reverence and respect in many religions.
- For some Buddhists, bowing down before images of the Buddha is an aspect of puja.
Chanting
- Chanting means repeating holy texts over and over again.
- It is a way to show devotion to the Buddha's teachings.
- One example of a chanted scripture is the Metta Sutta.
- This is a teaching of the Buddha about the virtue of loving-kindness.
Mantras
- Mantras are a form of chanting where a single word or short verse is repeated.
- Repeating the short verse helps to create the focus needed for meditation.
- The mantra is something a Buddhist will want to understand and make part of their life.
- One example is the verse ‘Nam Myoho Renge Kyo’.
- This verse teaches that we are able to overcome life’s problems and bring an end to suffering.
Mala Beads
- Buddhists often use a string of beads as an aid to meditation.
- They use the beads to count off mantras, or the taking of breaths.
- This increases focus and helps to distract from daily concerns.
Test yourself on Puja
Examples of gifts left by Buddhists before statues of the Buddha?