The role and significance of Puja for Buddhists
I can explain the nature, role and significance of puja for Buddhists today.
The role and significance of Puja for Buddhists
I can explain the nature, role and significance of puja for Buddhists today.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Puja is a devotional ritual that can be performed by Buddhists in the home and temple.
- Puja includes chanting important texts, e.g., the Three Refuges.
- Many Buddhists perform mantra recitation and use malas to aid concentration.
- The practice of puja at home enables lay Buddhists to adapt worship to their everyday lives.
- Puja at the temple enables the Sangha (community) to come together.
Keywords
Chanting - singing or rhythmic repetition of a word, prayer, or sound
Malas - strings of beads used as a prayer aid
Mantra recitation - a short sequence of words or syllables chanted repetitively as a form of meditation
Puja (devotional ritual) - the name given to ceremonies that involve meditation, prayer, and offerings
Common misconception
Puja in Buddhism is the worshipping of a god or gods, in the same way as in some other religions.
The Buddha is not a god, but a teacher who reached enlightenment. Puja is a way to show respect, devotion and strengthen commitment to the Buddhist path of enlightenment.
To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: The role and significance of Puja for Buddhists, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: The role and significance of Puja for Buddhists, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Buddhism: Practices unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.