Buddhism: Places of Worship | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Where do Buddhists Worship?

Much of Buddhist worship involves personal and private practices such as prayer and meditation. However, there are also specific times and locations where Buddhists come together to engage in communal worship and practice their faith. The primary locations for Buddhist worship include temples, shrines, and monasteries.

Buddhist Temples

A temple serves as a significant structure where the Buddhist community gathers to pray, study, and meditate. Temples vary in design and size, but they often share common elements:

• A central hall where individuals engage in worship and practice, housing a Buddha rupa (and in Mahayana temples, statues of Bodhisattvas).
• A shrine devoted to the Buddha, with Mahayana temples possibly including additional shrines for Bodhisattvas.
• A meditation hall, a tranquil space for focused meditation, referred to as a gompa in Tibetan Buddhism.
• A study hall used for learning, discussions, and lectures.
• A pagoda or a dome-shaped structure, sometimes tiered, which may contain sacred relics associated with the Buddha himself.

The Buddhist stupa is architecturally designed to represent the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space (or wisdom).

Buddhist Shrines

A shrine acts as a central point for Buddhists to meditate or engage in spiritual practice. Shrines can be located within temples, monasteries, or in the homes of Buddhists.
A shrine typically features a Buddha rupa as its primary focus, though Mahayana shrines may also include a statue of a Bodhisattva. 
Buddhists present offerings at shrines for two key reasons:

• To express reverence for the Buddha and gratitude for his teachings.
• To reflect on the Buddha’s teachings, as the offerings symbolize various aspects of his teachings.

Common offerings at a shrine include:

• A candle, representing the light of wisdom dispelling the darkness of ignorance.
• Flowers, symbolizing Anicca (impermanence), as they eventually fade.
• Incense, signifying the purity of one’s thoughts, speech, and actions.

Buddhist Monasteries

• A monastery, or vihara, is a residence where a community of monks or nuns lives, eats, sleeps, and worships. Viharas can range from large complexes with many residents to small, modest dwellings.
• Monks and nuns in a vihara lead a simple, disciplined life, fully committed to Buddhist spiritual practice. Their days are spent studying, meditating, and applying the Buddha’s teachings. A vihara also typically includes a stupa.