Lesson video

Hello, my name is Ms. Ramalli and welcome to today's RE lesson which forms part of our unit on Buddhism practises.

In today's lesson, we're going to be exploring Buddha rupas artefacts and offerings, their significance and importance.

Okay, let's start today's lesson.

Today's lesson outcome is I can explain the nature and purpose of Buddha rupas, artefacts and offerings and why they are important for Buddhists today.

Today's lesson, there are five key words to help guide us through our learning.

Our key words are Bodhisattva, Buddha, Buddha rupa, puja and shrine.

Bodhisattva is a being destined for enlightenment who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings.

Buddha is an awakened or enlightened person.

Buddha rupa is an image or statue of the historical Buddha or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood.

Puja is the name given to ceremonies that involve meditation, prayer and offerings.

And shrine is a room or part of a room which contains a Buddha rupa, candles, an incense burner and sometimes other offerings.

Today's lesson on Buddha rupas, artefacts and offerings takes two parts.

We're going to begin by exploring Buddha rupas, their purpose and importance, moving on to consider artefacts and offerings, their purpose and importance.

All major worldviews have a founder.

Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, is the founder of Buddhism.

The Buddha means an awakened or enlightened person.

Laura wants to learn more about the Buddha and his importance.

She first interviews Ajahn, a Theravada Buddhist monk.

"Ajahn, what does the Buddha mean to you? Is he a god?" Ajahn replies, "No, the Buddha is not a god.

The Buddha is a significant historical figure.

He taught the Dhamma which reduces people's suffering and leads people on the path towards enlightenment.

Statues of the Buddha are found in many places." Statues of the Buddha can be seen across the world.

So here we have a statue of the Buddha located in Thailand and another example of a statue here located in China.

And here we have the third example of a statue here located in the UK.

True or false? Statues of the Buddha are only seen in Asia.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said that statement is false.

Statues of the Buddha can be seen across the world.

Buddhists use images or statues of the Buddha, or Bodhisattvas as an aid to worship and for meditation.

These are known as Buddha rupas.

Buddha rupas may be found in any Buddhist place of worship or in a Buddhist home.

A Buddha rupas is an image or statue of the historical Buddha, or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood, for example, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following is the correct definition of a Buddha rupa? A, a being destined for enlightenment who postpones their final escape from samsara in order to help living beings.

B, an image or statue of the historical Buddha or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood or C, an awakened or enlightened person.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you selected B as a correct answer.

An image or statue of the Buddha or a being believed to have attained Buddhahood is a correct definition of a Buddha rupa.

Buddhists might look to a source of authority to find out more about the Buddha's teachings.

Here we have a quote from the Vakkali Sutta, "Whoever sees the Dhamma sees me; whoever sees me sees the Dhamma." What might this teaching highlight about the importance of the Dhamma? Pause the video here and either with your partner or you can speak to me, consider the importance of this quote and what it highlights about the Dhamma.

Okay, welcome back.

So let's reflect on your answers.

So perhaps you considered that the Dhamma is revered as the most important thing to see.

To see the Buddha is not to worship his image, but to understand and be devoted to what he taught.

Laura wants to learn more about Buddha rupas and how and why they are used.

"Ajahn, do you see Buddha rupas? Are they important to you?" Ajahn replies, "There is a central Buddha rupa of the Buddha at my vihara.

It is placed in the shrine.

I do not worship the statue.

Instead, I show honour and respect.

The Buddha rupa is an important reminder to me to follow the Buddha's Dhamma." Laura wants to interview a different Buddhist.

She speaks to Katrina, a lay Mahayana Buddhist.

Are there Buddha rupas in Mahayana temples Katrina? Katrina replies, "Yes, there is often a triad of Buddha rupas in Mahayana temples.

They sit alongside each other.

These are often the Buddha, the historical Buddha, and two Bodhisattvas.

These Bodhisattvas are important reminders of virtues we also want to develop.

So for example, Avalokitsvara reminds us of the virtue of compassion, and Manjushri reminds us of the virtue of wisdom." True or false? Buddhists worship Buddha rupas.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said this statement is false.

The Buddha rupa, remember, is not worshipped.

Buddha rupas are an important reminder of the Buddha's Dhamma, or a quality or virtue that a Buddhist wants to develop, for example, compassion.

Buddha rupas can vary in size, be displayed inside or outdoors, be simple or ornate.

Buddha rupas can take the form of a statue or a sculpture, they can be a painting often including a Bodhi tree, and they can depict individual figures or groups, so for example, groups or pairs of Bodhisattvas.

Laura asks, "Why else are Buddha rupas important, Ajahn?" Ajahn tells us, "Buddha rupas are important because they serve as focal points for concentration during worship and meditation.

They are also sources of inspiration and symbols of spiritual guidance." Buddha rupas are often symbolic and depict the Buddha's path to enlightenment.

These are important reminders of the Buddha's Dhamma, his teachings.

The bump or top knot on his head represents wisdom and enlightenment.

The elongated ears represent his former life as a prince.

And the hand gestures, also known as mudras, represent aspects of the Dhamma.

For example, his hands placed in the lap represent meditation.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Choose three reasons Buddha rupas are important.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Well done if you selected A, B and C.

Buddha rupas are important because they're a source of inspiration, for example to follow the Dhamma, they are a symbol of spiritual guidance and a focal point for concentration.

So time to complete our first practise task.

You need to explain two reasons why Buddha rupas are important for Buddhists.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of Buddhist belief and teaching in your answer.

Here is some guidance that you might find helpful to follow when you're answering the question.

So the question asks for two reasons, so you need to give two points and develop both points and include the name of a source and what it says or teaches.

This might be a quotation or it could be a general belief, or teaching.

Good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Okay, welcome back everyone.

Let's take some time to check your answers for the first practise task.

So your answer may look something like this.

One reason a Buddha rupa might be important to a Buddhist is because they serve as a reminder to devote themselves to the Buddha's Dhamma.

In the Vakkali Sutta, the Buddha taught, "Whoever sees the Dhamma sees me; whoever sees me sees the Dhamma." This reminds Buddhists not to worship the Buddha rupa, but to commit themselves to following the Buddha's teachings.

A second reason a Buddha rupa might be important to a Buddhist is because they act as a source of inspiration.

For example, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara reminds and inspires many Buddhists to develop the virtue of compassion.

Fantastic, well done on completing the first practise task.

So now we're gonna move on to the second part of our lesson on Buddha rupas artefacts and offerings to consider the purpose and importance of artefacts and offerings.

Laura wants to learn more about artefacts and offerings.

She interviews Ting, a Mahayana Buddhist monk.

Laura says, "In my RE lesson, my teacher said that some Buddhists use artefacts during puja.

What are they, Ting?" Ting replies, "Artefacts are items of religious importance that aid puja by being a point of focus.

They can also serve as a reminder of the Buddha's Dhamma." Laura continues, "What kind of artefacts might Buddhists use, Ting?" Ting tells us, "I often use a Buddha rupa and a model of a stupa during worship.

The stupa is shaped like a mound or tiered tower and symbolises the mind of the Buddha.

Scripture is also used as an artefact.

The Buddha rupa, stupa and scripture represents the three refuges." "What are the three refuges, Ting?" Ting replies, "The three refuges, which are also known as the Three Jewels, are important central Buddhist beliefs and values.

They represent the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

I chant the Three Refuges to show devotion and commitment to the path of enlightenment." Mahayana Buddhists may also use other scriptures during worship.

This may include the Heart Sutra, which represents the Buddhist teachings on sunyata, Sunyata meaning emptiness.

Let's pause and complete a check for understanding.

Which of the following artefacts would not be used during puja? A, a model of a stupa.

B, a Bible.

C, a Buddha rupa, or D, scriptures.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to see the correct answer.

Well done if you selected B, a Bible would not be used during puja.

Laura wants to interview a different Buddhist about worship.

She interviews Niti, a Theravada Buddhist monk.

Laura asks, "My RE teacher said that some Buddhists make offerings during puja.

What does that mean, Niti?" Niti replies, "When I attend the temple, I make offerings to the Buddha rupas in the shrine.

This is an important way of paying respect and showing gratitude for the teachings.

The offerings symbolise different things.

The offerings are important because they remind Buddhists of the Buddha's teachings.

The light or a candle symbolises wisdom, so the light drives away the darkness, representing ignorance.

Food can be a gift of thanks for the Dhamma.

Burning incense can symbolise purity and acts as a reminder to be pure in thoughts, words and actions.

And flowers symbolise impermanence or the teaching of anicca, because eventually, the flowers will die.

"Do all Buddhists give the same offerings during puja?" Laura asks.

Katrina replies, "As a Mahayana Buddhist, I make seven offerings during puja: two bowls of water, one for washing and the other for drinking.

This symbolises hospitality.

This is alongside flowers, candles, incense, food and perfume.

These symbolise the five senses." Okay, let's pause and just check you've understood what we've just heard.

Which of the following offerings symbolises the light driving away the darkness representing ignorance? Is it A, incense.

B, flowers.

C, candle or D, food? Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you selected C as the correct answer.

A candle symbolises the light driving away the darkness.

Katrina explains her views on the purpose and importance of making offerings.

Katrina says, "It is important that I make offerings as a mark of respect and reverence to the Buddha.

The purpose of this practise is to enable me to become deeply devoted to understanding the Buddha's Dhamma.

By doing these things at home or at the temple, I make them part of my daily life and practise." Generosity or dana is another important practise in Buddhism.

This involves lay Buddhists offering donations to Buddhist monks, for example, food or essential goods.

Laura asked Ting, "Have you ever received offerings?" Ting replies, "Yes, I spent time living in a monastery in China.

Each morning, lay Buddhists would donate food or other goods.

It would be placed in the monk's alms bowl.

Buddhists give these donations freely with no expectation of reward.

Developing generosity is important because it is one of the six perfections and this virtue is essential for realising one's Buddha's nature." True or false? Dana is important because it is one of the moral precepts.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Well done if you said this statement is false.

Developing dana is important because it is one of the perfections.

So it's one of the six perfections not one of the five moral precepts.

Okay, time to complete our second practise task.

Explain two different ways in which Buddhists might use offerings during worship.

Here are some guidance to follow to help answer this question.

So to give your first point, give one way Buddhists might use offerings and develop that explaining with examples to develop the point.

You need to give a second point so give a second way that Buddhists might use offerings and then develop that explaining with examples.

Okay, good luck completing the practise task.

Pause the video and press play when you're ready to check your answer.

Welcome back everybody.

So you answer the question, explain two different ways in which Buddhists might use offerings during worship.

So your response might be similar to this.

One way Buddhists might use offerings during worship is to light a candle, give flowers and burn incense at the shrine.

Making offerings to the Buddha rupa symbolises wisdom.

The light given through a candle symbolises driving away the darkness of ignorance.

Another way Buddhists might use offerings during worship is by developing dana, generosity, and donating food or essential goods to Buddhist monks.

Dana is one of the six perfections, which are essential values that are to be developed by Buddhists.

Fantastic, well done on completing the second and final practise task.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson on the Buddha rupas, Artefacts and Offerings.

Here is a summary of our key learning points.

The Buddha is not a god.

The Buddha is a significant historical figure.

Buddha rupas are not worshipped , but an important reminder to follow the Buddha's Dhamma.

Buddhists might use a Buddha rupa, a model of a stupa and scripture during puja to remind of the three refuges, the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.

Making offerings of flowers, candles, food and incense is an important way of paying respect and showing gratitude for the Dhamma.

Each offering symbolises a part of the Dhamma.

And offering generosity is an important practise in Buddhism.

Generosity is one of the six perfections.

Well done on all of your hard work in today's lesson.

Thank you for joining me.

Goodbye.