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Comparing Christian and Buddhist forms of worship (Part 2)

Information: This is Part 2 of an article comparing Christian and Buddhist forms of worship. A version of this article was originally published on the website www.faithnet.org.uk.

Buildings people go to

In both Christianity and Buddhism there are lots of different groups (or sects), which means there are also lots of different buildings people can go to in order to 'worship':

Christianity

  • Cathedrals - Huge places of worship associated with the Church of England (Anglicanism) and the Roman Catholic Church, which are usually found in in the centre of large cities.
  • Basilica - A large and important church associated with the Roman Catholic faith.
  • Churches and Chapels - Places of worship found in all denominations.
  • Baptist Church, Methodist Church etc. - A place of worship associated with a specific Christian denomination (or group).
  • Friends Meeting House - A place of worship usually associated with Quakers.
  • Mission Hall - A smaller place of worship which typically emphasises the preaching of the Gospel.

Buddhism

  • Temples - The common name for many places of Buddhist worship.
  • Stupa - A rounded structure which are sometimes associated with the life of the Buddha, or have relics said to belong to him. These are commonly associated with Theravada Buddhism and can be found in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
  • Pagoda - Often meaning the same as a Stupa, or sometimes a place of worship. These are associated with Mahayana Buddhism, and are usually found in China.

Public worship

Christians believe it is very important to meet together for public worship regularly, as they believe this strengthens their Christian faith and community. Many Christians believe they should follow the example of believers in the early church:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-46)

All Christians believe the presence of Christ is with them in a very personal and special way, whenever they meet with other Christians for prayer and worship:

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I [Jesus] am there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)

Christians also try to keep one day holy in light of the fourth commandment ('Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8)). Christians of all denominations would typically go to church once on a Sunday for worship, sometimes twice. However, various churches may also offer the chance to attend worship services during the week. If meetings are held at the church, then very often a time of worship will form a part of this too.

Buddhists tend not to have regular public worship in the same way Christians do. There is no special day each week which must be kept sacred as far as Buddhists are concerned. As such, there is less of a focus on communal worship, and more on private devotion. However, Buddhists will be keen to visit temples and other places of worship on festival days, and especially if they know someone who is sick or dying.

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Things people do during times of public worship

In both Christianity and Buddhism there are lots of different ways people 'worship' together:

Christianity

  • Liturgical forms of worship - Lots of formal ritual based around the Sacraments (Mass, baptism etc.), tend to use a special book with set patterns of worship written out in it, lots of reading out of this book and repeating responses when prompted by the priest, some singing of traditional hymns, organ music, the priest will give a short talk related to the Bible or other matters of faith. Services tend to be quiet, serious and reflective.
  • Charismatic forms of worship - Often ecstatic (joyful, lively), lots of singing (usually modern hymns/songs), often have a 'church band' (singer, rhythm and bass guitars, drummer etc.), dancing, spontaneous prayer, people raising their hands, people speaking in a heavenly language (called 'speaking in tongues'), people prophesying, people sharing why how they became a Christian and what this means to them (called giving your testimony). Some healings may be performed in Charismatic services if it is believed the Holy Spirit is present in the service in a particularly powerful way.
  • Other forms of worship - Some Christians combine elements of many different styles of worship in their service. Although they may prefer to have a more quite and traditional time of worship, the person leading the service may at certain times invite the congregation to choose a song (or songs), or allow time for people to pray aloud during the service as they feel led. Although they might normally have someone playing a piano to led the singing, they may also at times be accompanied by people playing other instruments (usually not drums) such as a guitar, or flute. Some Christians who prefer not to call themselves 'Charismatic', might raise their hands when they are singing, or when they or other people are praying during this form of public worship. In many Protestant churches (what is this?), the pastor (leader) of the church will often preach (talk) for about 30 minutes about a passage in the Bible. Many of these services are also Gospel-centred.
  • Quaker worship - Quakers spend most of their time in silence during 'worship services'. This is because they believe they should only speak as they are led by the Holy Spirit, and reflect quietly on what has been said when someone does speak.

Buddhism

  • When Theravada Buddhists go to the temple they take take gifts of flowers, candles, rosaries and incense, which they place in front of statues of the Buddha. Then they kneel in front of the priest while he recites sacred sentences. Worshippers will often say prayers for help, and utter blessings. They will join their hands in front of their face, bow down and lie face down on the floor. They also call upon the name of the Buddha. In all aspects of worship, the devotee is seeking to maintain an attitude of humility. Any formal service will consist of chanting traditional Buddhist beliefs and scriptures, whilst all the time contemplating the Buddha and focusing one's faith on him. Worship of any sort is intended to be private, and as such shrines and places of worship will not be that big (as they do not need to accommodate many people at one time as churches do). However, great temples will be able to accommodate lots of people due to the spiritual significance attached to many of them, and one will typically find daily communal worship (puja) also taking place.
  • Due to the diverse nature of Mahayana Buddhism, worship can take many forms. Although Mahayanans will also takes gifts of flowers, candles, incense etc. hen they visit a temple, one difference between Mahayana and Theravada worship is the idea that devotion is also shown to Bodhisattvas. As such, this has tended to develop schools of Buddhism associated with various different Bodhisattvas. For instance, the most well know of them is Pure Land Buddhism, which is associated with the Bodhisattva Amitaba ('Buddha of infinite light'). Pure Land Buddhists believe Amitaba (Amida in Japan) sits in a heavenly realm, and that by calling on his name he will help them to reach Nirvana. Those who belong to this sect recite the name of Amitaba countless times each day to ensure they enter paradise when they die.

Mahayana Buddhists believe that all people can attain Nirvana, whereas Theravadans believe that only a few people will ever do so. This is because Theravadans believe Enlightenment comes as a result of rigorous mental and physical disciple, whereas Mahayanans believe that it is more important to have faith. This difference is also seen in the fact that having a temple is not very important to Mahayana Buddhists, as it is more to do with the way a person lives their life than the ceremonies or rituals they perform.

Affirming one's faith

Many Christians often say the grace to each other at the end of a service, or after Mass/Communion ('The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all' (2 Corinthians 13:14)), . This is a statement affirming their belief in the Trinity, but is also an expression of devotion to each other. Some Christians may recite the Apostle's Creed during a time of worship. This is often done in services which are more formal (liturgically-based).

Most Buddhists would begin a time of worship by reciting the Three Jewels ('I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha'). As with the Christian 'grace', this too is a statement affirming a person's beliefs and an expression of devotion to one another.

The whole community of Buddhists is known as the Sangha.

Something to do: Read through this article again. As you do, make a chart listing the similarities and differences between Christian and Buddhist forms of worship. Having a chart like this will be a useful summary of what you have read, and will also be helpful when you revise this topic.

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