[wepoiyub]

I found this article on a Sri Lankan website and wondered if anyone had any comments about it.

"Leading the Buddhist lay followers away from rituals and Ceremonies to the path of the Dhamma is the duty of the Buddhist Monk."

By Charles.S.Perera


http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2...buddhist-monk/

[plalleste]

Fair article...

[NEWyear]

I thought it was well-written and insightful. The main problem, as I see it, is that historically Buddhism has taken a rather restrictive view of what laypeople (and by that I mean more or less ordinary householders, not people who are living a monastic-style life in a lay setting) can accomplish. Some people will still tell you that meditation is for monks and all we can hope for is "merit".

Most of us are unable or unwilling, for any number of reasons, to practice renunciation to the degree that has often been considered a prerequisite for a deeper engagement with dhamma. So the goals and parameters of lay practice probably need clarification.

[CO2490pL]

With regard to the article, is the question whether or not rituals have a place in present day Buddhist practice, or whether, specifically, "leading the Buddhist lay followers away from rituals and ceremonies" should be part of a monk's job description? This requires two sets of answers.

My feeling is that generally, everything one does (no, I don't mean going out and murdering people) can play a part in one's practice, and that whether the activity includes offerings on an altar, or doing the laundry (a daily ritual in my house) doesn't really matter a whole lot.

If the question has to do with a monk's list of obligations, then I guess you'd have to look at the Vinaya rules and determine, through interpretation, how specific those instructions are.

Also, it should be determined whether by "rituals" is meant worship. Since the author of the article refers to Hindu gods in Buddhist temples, then this may be what he is focusing on. In my traditional practice, rituals are not a form of worship, but are merely tools to help one practice mindfulness, generosity, and so on. For example, offering food or water in front of a Buddha statue - obviously this is just a lump of metal or clay. It doesn't eat or drink anything. But 'making offerings' allows one to practicing generosity --even if it is only symbolic in nature.

One might argue, "If the Buddha didn't advise it, don't do it" and of course that would be a legitimate position, although perhaps not the only valid position. Similarly, it is my understanding (or misunderstanding) that The Buddha did not particularly want statues made in his image, and that for a long time, only symbols such as the wheel, or footprints were used as a representation. So, is it committing some kind of sin if one has a buddha statue? Some might think so. Most probably do not.

[S.T.D.]

Rituals can be used as an effective tool or can become a crutch and hinderance. I personally find that certain rituals help me focus and help transform unwholesome states of mind. I do remind myself that they are just tools to be put aside when no longer needed.