Concepts and practices of Buddhism

Abstract

Sila-accepting Buddhist teaching and following it in practice; refraining from killing, stealing, wrong behaviour, use of drugs. On special days, three additional precepts may be added, restricting adornment, entertainment and comfort. Karma-the balance of amassed sin and merit, which will determine one's future in the present life, and the nature of the next life to come. The Cosmos-comprises of billions of worlds grouped into clusters; clusters are grouped into galaxies, which are themselves grouped into super-galaxies. The universe also has many levels: four underworlds and 21 heavenly realms. Paritta-ritual chanting. Worship-of leftovers of a Buddha, of items made by a Buddha, or of other symbolic relics. Festivals-days of the full moon, and three other days during the lunar cycle are celebrated. There is a new year's festival, and celebrations tied to the agricultural year. Pilgrimages-particularly to Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka and India. In Theravada Buddhism, since karma is a chastely impersonal process that is part of the structure of the universe, there can be no divine release or forgiveness for one's action. Though, other forms of Buddhism, such as the Vajrayana, regard the recitation of mantras, a sound, syllable, sound or a group of words, as a way of cutting off previous negative karma. This concept assists an individual comprehend that everything that happens to him or her is as a result of their actions and they must struggle to do good performances. The central basis of Buddhist belief and practice are the three treasures or jewels i.e. the three things that Buddhists look toward for guidance and take refuge in, are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The Buddha refers to the historical creator of Buddhism or can be understood to mean the highest spiritual potential that exists within nature. The Dharma refers to the teachings of Buddha while the Sangha refers to the community of those individuals who have attained enlightenment, and who may help a practicing Buddhist attain the same. Taking refuge in the triple jewels distinguishes a Buddhist from a non-Buddhist and conventionally, it has been an assertion and commitment to following the Buddhist path. Other practices in Buddhism may include renouncing conventional living, becoming part of and supporting the monastic community as well as practice of meditation. In the Theravada principle of Buddhism, a person may arise from the "sleep of ignorance" and directly realize the true nature of reality. Such people are called arahants and occasionally as buddhas. After numerous lifetimes of religious strivings, arahants reach the end of the cycle of rebirth, and no longer revive as human, animal, ghost, or any other being. In Mahayana, the Buddha is observed as just human but as an earthly projection of an endless, ubiquitous being beyond range or reach of thought. In the modern west, a new form of Theravadan lay practice cantered on meditation practice has taken root. It is often referred to as Vipassana or insight meditation, this form of Theravadan practice was brought to the west by Westerners who were trained in Thailand, Burma and India with teachers such as Mahasi Saydaw and Ajahn Chah. As well, traditional Theravadan monasteries can be found in most Western countries, serving the Asian communities now living in the West.