What is the RITES OF PASSAGE of buddhism?
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Buddhism does not have "Rights of Passage." There are no special ceremonies where you are submerged in water or have a special symbol drawn on your forehead or make some huge profession of faith. The closes thing to this would be taking refuge. By taking refuge, you are acknowledging that you are seeking to be awakened into reality by accepting one teacher, the Buddha (1); to listen, study and practice Dharma (the Buddha's teachings) to overcome your own delusions. (II) and respect Sangha (the Buddha's Followers) and train in accordance with their example. (III) This is called taking refuge in the triple gem. The triple gem is:\n\n1) Buddha\n2) Dharma\n3) Sangha\n\nAt this time, you may choose to enter into the Five Precepts. These are:\n\nTo refrain from harming living creatures (killing). \nTo refrain from taking that which is not freely given (stealing). \nTo refrain from sexual misconduct. (That which causes harm [Physical or emotional])\nTo refrain from incorrect speech (lying, harsh language, slander, idle chit-chat). \nTo refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness. \n\nThe first part, taking refuge in the triple gem is what is done, either in private or before the Sangha community, to be a Buddhist. After that, it's just a matter of following Buddha's teachings. There are no hoops to jump through, rivers to swim in or special activities to involve yourself in unless you choose to.
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To honor one's dead relatives in known to be the tradition of the Eastern world in many countries.\n\nBuddhism in its inner most essence, has no ground for such practices.\n\nAlso, in most Eastern traditions, people would ask certain special people to help with the ceremony or praying. In ancient China, it was the taoist, but then certain Buddhist monks began to do the same as well.\n\nSimilarly in Japan, there were people who specialized in such practices... and apparently the Buddhist monks in Japan learned to began to practice it as well.\n\nThings are bundled together... but monks engaging in such practice is not taught by the Buddha.
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Core beliefs of Buddhism:\nBuddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.\n\nOne fundamental belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation. In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, in a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf.\n\nAfter many such cycles, if a person releases their attachment to desire and the self, they can attain Nirvana. This is a state of liberation and freedom from suffering. \n\n\n\nThe Three Trainings or Practices:\nThese three consist of:\n\nSila: Virtue, good conduct, morality. This is based on two fundamental principles: The principle of equality: that all living entities are equal. \n The principle of reciprocity: This is the "Golden Rule" in\nChristianity -- to do onto others as you would wish them do \nonto you. It is found in all major religions. \n\nSamadhi: Concentration, meditation, mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind; this helps us maintain good conduct. \nPrajna: Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm. \nThe first two paths listed in the Eightfold Path, described below, refer to discernment; the last three belong to concentration; the middle three are related to virtue. \n\n\n\nThe Four Noble Truths:\nThe Buddha's Four Noble Truths explore human suffering. They may be described (somewhat simplistically) as: \n\nDukkha: Suffering exists: (Suffering is real and and almost universal. Suffering has many causes: loss, sickness, pain, failure, the impermanence of pleasure.) \nSamudaya: There is a cause for suffering. (It is the desire to have and control things. It can take many forms: craving of sensual pleasures; the desire for fame; the desire to avoid unpleasant sensations, like fear, anger or jealousy.) \nNirodha: There is an end to suffering. (Suffering ceases with the final liberation of Nirvana (a.k.a. Nibbana). The mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment. It lets go of any desire or craving.) \nMagga: In order to end suffering, you must follow the Eightfold Path. \n\nThe Five Precepts: \nThese are rules to live by. They are somewhat analogous to the second half of the Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity -- that part of the Decalogue which describes behaviors to avoid.\n\nDo not kill. This is sometimes translated as "not harming" or an absence of violence. \nDo not steal. This is generally interpreted as including the avoidance of fraud and economic exploitation. \nDo not lie. This is sometimes interpreted as including name calling, gossip, etc. \nDo not misuse sex. For monks and nuns, this means any departure from complete celibacy. For the laity, adultery is forbidden, along with any sexual harassment or exploitation, including that within marriage. The Buddha did not discuss consensual premarital sex within a committed relationship; Buddhist traditions differ on this. \nDo not consume alcohol or other drugs. The main concern here is that intoxicants cloud the mind. Some have included as a drug other methods of divorcing ourselves from reality -- e.g. movies, television, the Internet. 1 \n\n\nThe Eightfold Path:\nThe Buddha's Eightfold Path consists of:\n\n Panna: Discernment, wisdom: 1) Samma ditthi Righ
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My dear friend, \n\nBelow I have done my best to try and explain the sects of Buddhism to level comprehensible to the general public; I sincerely hope it helps you.\n\nHowever, I first must briefly touch on the answer given by [Ronin], which is undoubtedly more a source than an answer.  To comment, our friend here has asked us to help her understand the differences between the branches of Buddhism, as she hasn't "been able to understand them perfectly and was wondering if anyone could put them into layman’s terms for [her]".  Citing wikipedia does neither for her, and I believe you may even insult her by suggesting she does not know how to search for information.  People come her, to the answers services because they have been unsuccessful in their quest for an answer; hence it is up to people who may know the answer to try and assist them in any way that we can, and not simply throw them more incomprehensible information.\n\nA period after the pir-nirvana of the Lord Buddha, the "Elders" and the "Novices" of Buddhism had an argument regarding the preservation of offerings for an overnight situation.  This let to a fine separation into 2 factions of Buddhism: Theravada and Mahasamghika (Elders and Novices) - the terms used previously are given in the ancient language Sanskrit.  In fact, the Mahasamghika was the stepping stone or hint that another form of Buddhism would take place, and that form would be known as Mahayana Buddhism.  Mahayana Buddhism was introduced to the world by Nagarjuna Buddha (or Nagarjuna Bodhisattva - depending on tradition), and the Mahasamghika slowly dissipated into another form of Buddhism, known as Hinayana.\n\nSo to briefly bring things into perspective:  Hinayana, Mahayana and Theravada.  However, this is not the end yet.  Some people actually place Theravada Buddhism under the banner of Hinayana Buddhism.  So, there are mainly the two branches: Hinayana and Mahayana (but readers please take note, it is not that I am in total agreement of this; I merely wish to use it as an example to simplify matters).  Now, to help you understand the differences.  Places like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, India etc are all examples where Hinayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are easily distinguished tending to look like a very large cloth wrapped around their body.  Countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Tibet, Japan etc are all examples where Mahayana Buddhism is prominent; their Dharma Robes are not so easily distinguished tending to vary from tradition, but one thing is certain, and that is they often have a look of Chinese Tang Dynasty Royal Family robes.\n\nWell, "is that all", you ask?  No, because within the Mahayana tradition there is another lineage of Buddhism, known as the Tantrayana (or Vajrayana).  All the countries mentioned in the category of Mahayana fit this description, but please take note that there is an extremely large amount of overlapping.  And to complicate matter even further, these branches of Buddhism are separated in another general manner:  Exoteric and Esoteric.\n\nSo to conclude:\nExoteric Buddhism - Hinayana Buddhism (Thailand, Sri Lanka...etc)\n             - Mahayana Buddhism (Taiwan, Korea, China)\n\nEsoteric Buddhism-Tantrayana Buddhism (China, Tibet, Japan)\n\nRemember, it all depends in what context you are speaking of.\n\nI hope I have helped you, and would appreciate criticism and education from the learned friends of the world wide web.\n\nvhy
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Hope this helps....\n\nThe five Buddhist precepts:\n\n1. To refrain from taking life. \n\n2. To refrain from taking that which is not freely given (stealing). \n\n3. To refrain from sensual misconduct (improper sexual    behavior, gluttony etc.) \n\n4. To refrain from incorrect speech (lying, harsh language, slander, idle chit-chat).\n \n5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness.\n\nThe first lay precept in Buddhism is usually translated as "I undertake the precept to refrain from taking life." Many see this as implying that Buddhists should not eat the meat of animals. However, this is not necessarily the case. There is a divergence of views within Buddhism on the need for vegetarianism, with the majority of schools of Buddhism rejecting such a claimed need and with most Buddhists in fact eating meat. A minority of Mahayana Buddhists, however, strongly oppose meat-eating on the basis of emphatic Mahayana scriptural injuctions against flesh-eating coming from the Mahayana Buddha himself.
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If you are referring to the Eightfold Path in Buddhism, you simply respect the eight rules. This includes:\n\nRight Livelihood (you should not earn your money as a soldier, weapons-dealer, sex trade worker, drug dealer or butcher)\n\nRight Meditation\n\nRight Thought (keeping the mind clear of negative/hateful/intolerant thoughts)\n\nRight Speech (words that are honest, kind, worthy and nurturing)\n\nRight Conduct (do no harm to others)\n\nRight Mindfulness (i.e. awareness)\n\nRight Effort (effort to putting the other parts of the path into action)\n\nRight Concentration
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Not sure what you mean, but Siddhartha (Buddha) was raised in the Hindu faith. A lot of the concepts of Hinduism have thus found their way into Buddhism.
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You got it all wrong.Buddhist do not pray to the buddha!We follow the teaching of the buddha and take refuge in the buddha,dhamma and the sangha.However hard you prayed buddha cannot help you only you can help yourself.Buddha showed the path,you have to travel the path .
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Buddhism is the name of the religion based on the teaching of the historical Buddha,  Gautama Siddhartha. It encompasses a great deal of teachings, but they can be summed up quite succinctly in two main themes. \n\n*Mindfulness \n ~ and ~\n*Compassion\n\nThese are the key to any Buddhist practice. \n\nHere is a little more detail, but for a good understanding, please see the links below.\n\nBuddha researched and came upon the Four Noble Truths:\n\n1) All worldly life is unsatisfactory, disjointed, containing suffering.\n2) There is a cause of suffering, which is attachment or desire (tanha) rooted in ignorance\n3) There is an end of suffering, which is Nirvana.\n4) There is a path that leads out of suffering, known as the Noble Eightfold Path.\n\nThe Noble Eightfold Path as explain in the Four Noble Truths is:\n1 - Right Understanding - (samyag-dRSTi, sammaa-diTTi)\n2 - Right Thought - (samyak-saMkalpa, sammaa-saGkalpa)\n3 - Right Speech - (samyag-vaac, sammaa-vaacaa)\n4 - Right Conduct - (samyak-kalmaanta, sammaa-kammanta)\n5 - Right Livelihood - (samyag-aajiiva, sammaa-aajiiva)\n6 - Right Effort - (samyag-vyaayaama, sammaa-vaayaama)\n7 - Right Mindfulness - (samyak-smrTi, sammaa-sati)\n8 - Right Concentration - (samyak-samaadhi, sammaa-samaadhi)\n\nThe moral tenants of Buddhism are summed up in Sila, also known as the Five Precepts. \n1. To refrain from harming living creatures (ahimsa).\n2. To refrain from taking that which is not freely given (stealing).\n3. To refrain from sexual misconduct. (causing Physical, emotional or mental harm to yourself or others.)\n4. To refrain from incorrect speech (lying, harsh language, slander, idle chit-chat).\n5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness.\n\nThe basic practices differ from schools to school, but Mediation and the study of sutra are pretty much universal. \n\nPersonally I find Buddhism to be the most peaceful, selfless and 'real' religion I have ever read about or studied. \n\nI hope this helps.
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these people online might not give you accurate information. You may want to search "Buddhism" online.
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It will depend on the religion of the person (or yu and your soon to be groom).  The person performing the ceremony should have a rehersal beforehand to walk you through it.
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The most prevalent forms are the Mahayana Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.  This has been popularized by the Dalai Lama.  The next is Zen Buddhism which came to us from Japan and is popular because Japanese buddhists have immigrated throughout the US and shared their beliefs with other Americans.
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That question cannot be answered fully in a few sentences. So please visit the following pages to read the entire thing:\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_philosophy\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism
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Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path - a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood.\n\nBecause Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator God, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such as meditation) which enable people to realize and utilize its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion.\nBuddhism explains the reality of life and the universe: that all beings are equal by nature and that all teachings are equal. The Buddha said many times that the wisdom to understand the true reality of life and the universe, and the virtuous abilities to cultivate are all already within our true nature. Buddhism teaches us to have a broad mind, one that overflows with sincerity, purity, equality, proper understanding, and compassion. Everyday, we must strive to awaken to this reality. Being contented with all conditions and settings is a good example for all, and striving for attainment of freedom of mind and spirit will help to awaken. From this, we can see that the Buddha is a compassionate multicultural educator who is worthy of emulation.\nBuddhism is Not a Religion. According to the Webster's Dictionary, the definition of religion is as follows, "An organized system of beliefs, rites, and celebrations centered on a supernatural being power; belief pursued with devotion."\nBuddhism is not a religion because:\nbullet\n\nFirst, the Buddha is not a 'supernatural being power'. The Buddha is simply a person who has reached Complete Understanding of the reality of life and the universe. Life refers to ourselves, and universe refers to our living environment. The Buddha taught that all beings possess the same ability to reach Complete Understanding of themselves and their environment, and relieve themselves from all sufferings to attain utmost happiness. All beings can become Buddhas, and all beings and the Buddha are equal by nature. The Buddha is not a God, but a teacher, who teach us the way to restore Wisdom and Understanding by conquering the greed, hatred, and ignorance which blind us at the present moment. The word 'Buddha' is a Sanskrit word, when translated it means, "Wisdom, Awareness/Understanding". We call the founder of Buddhism Shakyamuni Buddha because He has attained Complete Understanding and Wisdom of life and the universe. Buddhism is His education to us, it is His teaching which shine the way to Buddhahood.\nbullet\n\nSecond, the 'belief' in the Buddha's teachings is not blind belief, or blind faith. Shakyamuni Buddha taught us not to blindly believe what he tells us, he wants us to try the teachings and prove them for ourselves. The Buddha wants us to know, not merely believe. The Buddha's teachings flow from his own experience and understanding of the truth, and shows us a path of our own to taste the truth for ourselves. The Buddha uses a perfectly scientific way of showing us reality in its true form.\nbullet\n\nThird, Buddhism is not a religion because all the 'rites and celebrations' are not centered on a supernatural being, but rather the people attending the assemblies. The ceremonies and celebrations in Buddhism all serve an educational purpose, a reminder of
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Hi,\n\nAs far as I know, Budhdist monks don't perform a marriage ceremony. What you can do is get married in the local Marriage registrar's office and then have a Sri Lankan Budhdhist Wedding Ceremony/ reception. Please visit www.wedinsrilanka.com\nYou'll get loads of useful inofor on this site. \nCongrads to both of you !!!!!
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The wedding day is begun at a local temple where the couple separately asks for the blessings of Buddha. Both bride and groom are then dressed in outfits traditional to their region.\n\nAt the mutually auspicious astrologically designated wedding time, the bride and groom are individually taken to the shrine room of their local temple or a hall hired for the occasion. Here, the couple sees each other for the first time on that day.\n\nSpiritual Buddhist wedding traditions don't necessarily require the presence of monks or the use of a temple's shrine room. For these traditions, the wedding location would be equipped with a shrine to Buddha featuring candles, flowers, incense and a statue or image of Buddha.\n\nThe ceremony begins as the entire assembly recites the Vandana, Tisarana and Pancasila readings. The couple then lights the candles and incense sticks surrounding Buddha's image and offers him the flowers within the shrine. Because of the secularity of Buddhist weddings, there is no assigned set of marriage vows. However, the bride and groom will recite their expected undertakings using the Sigilovdda Sutta as a guide. The Sigiloydda Sutta says:\n\n"In five ways should a wife, as Western quarter, be ministered to by her husband: by respect, by courtesy, by faithfulness, by handing over authority to her, by providing her with ornaments. In these five ways does the wife minister to by her husband as the Western quarter, love him: her duties are well-performed by hospitality to kin of both, by faithfulness, by watching over the goods he brings and by skill and industry in discharging all business."\n\nAfter these vows are spoken, the bride and groom can exchange rings. If monks are present, the marriage vows will be both preceded and proceeded by their chanting.
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http://www.buddhanet.net/\nThe above is a good website that tells you all about Buddhism and how its practised. If you want a fun book to read that talks about how to relate to Buddhism, grab the Doa of Pooh, and the Dey of Piglet. Those are fun books that uses Winnie the Pooh and other Hundred Arce Wood characters to help you understand Buddhism. It's not written for children either, even though it uses Winnie the Pooh.