-Buddhist Shrines and Images
Buddha images have been the object of Buddhist devotion and identify for over 2000 years. They are the inspirational focus for devotees to express their reverence and gratitude for the Buddha's Dharma or Teachings. The reasons for the Buddha image on the shrines are for reminding of the qualities of perfect wisdom and perfect compassion of the Buddha and it also serves to inspire followers to develop the qualities and remember the greatness of the Buddha and His Teachings.
- Prostration
Prostrating before an image of the Buddha expresses deep veneration, and also helps to overcome egoistic feeling to become more ready to listen to the Teaching of the Buddha. As Buddhists prostrate before the Buddha images, they remember the qualities of the Buddha and develop respect for those qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, virtue, patience, concentration and wisdom. Showing respect to the Buddha and his qualities inspires followers to develop these extraordinary qualities ourselves.
-Making offerings to the Buddha
Buddhists make offerings not because the Buddha needs them but because the Buddha is an enlightened being, and they don’t make offerings to win the Buddha's favor. The Buddha developed universal loving-kindness and compassion long ago and won't be swayed by flattery and bribery the way we are. We make offerings to create positive energy and develop good qualities such as giving with a respectful attitude and gratitude. The offerings are reminders of certain teachings of the Buddha.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/observances.htm
Buddha images have been the object of Buddhist devotion and identify for over 2000 years. They are the inspirational focus for devotees to express their reverence and gratitude for the Buddha's Dharma or Teachings. The reasons for the Buddha image on the shrines are for reminding of the qualities of perfect wisdom and perfect compassion of the Buddha and it also serves to inspire followers to develop the qualities and remember the greatness of the Buddha and His Teachings.
- Prostration
Prostrating before an image of the Buddha expresses deep veneration, and also helps to overcome egoistic feeling to become more ready to listen to the Teaching of the Buddha. As Buddhists prostrate before the Buddha images, they remember the qualities of the Buddha and develop respect for those qualities such as loving-kindness, compassion, virtue, patience, concentration and wisdom. Showing respect to the Buddha and his qualities inspires followers to develop these extraordinary qualities ourselves.
-Making offerings to the Buddha
Buddhists make offerings not because the Buddha needs them but because the Buddha is an enlightened being, and they don’t make offerings to win the Buddha's favor. The Buddha developed universal loving-kindness and compassion long ago and won't be swayed by flattery and bribery the way we are. We make offerings to create positive energy and develop good qualities such as giving with a respectful attitude and gratitude. The offerings are reminders of certain teachings of the Buddha.
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/observances.htm
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