Rituals and Ceremonies
Rituals
Mahayana Buddhists engage in many different rituals including meditation, pilgrimage, and mantra recitation. When a Buddhist enters a room with a statue of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, they bow in respect. They also give offerings of vegetarian food and light incense in respect of the Buddha.
Ceremonies
Marriage
In front of a shrine, the couple should recite the Vandana, Tisarana, and Pancasila in Pali or in English. Then, they light candles and incense sticks and gives flowers as offerings. After, they recite these lines:
Groom: "Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, provide gifts to please her."
Bride: "Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly and conscientiously."
And finally, the parents recite the Mangala Sutra and Jayamangala Gatha.
Funerals
When a Buddhist dies, they are usually cremated. Mahayana Buddhists believe that after someone has died there is a four day period where the person does not know that he/she is dead. During that period, the dead person determines whether they will continue in the cycle of rebirth. There will be a bright light, if the person welcomes the light, they have escaped the endless cycle of rebirth. But if they run away from the light, they will be reborn again.
In front of a shrine, the couple should recite the Vandana, Tisarana, and Pancasila in Pali or in English. Then, they light candles and incense sticks and gives flowers as offerings. After, they recite these lines:
Groom: "Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, provide gifts to please her."
Bride: "Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly and conscientiously."
And finally, the parents recite the Mangala Sutra and Jayamangala Gatha.
Funerals
When a Buddhist dies, they are usually cremated. Mahayana Buddhists believe that after someone has died there is a four day period where the person does not know that he/she is dead. During that period, the dead person determines whether they will continue in the cycle of rebirth. There will be a bright light, if the person welcomes the light, they have escaped the endless cycle of rebirth. But if they run away from the light, they will be reborn again.
"Buddhism Rituals." Buddhism Rituals. Web. 16 June 2015.
"Library." Rituals and Worship. Web. 16 June 2015.
"Personal Ceremonies in Buddhism: Marriage And Funeral Rites." Personal Ceremonies in Buddhism: Marriage And Funeral Rites. Web. 16 June 2015.
"Library." Rituals and Worship. Web. 16 June 2015.
"Personal Ceremonies in Buddhism: Marriage And Funeral Rites." Personal Ceremonies in Buddhism: Marriage And Funeral Rites. Web. 16 June 2015.