Religious Studies - Buddhism - Life Issues - Notes

Seite 1

1.0. RITES OF PASSAGE: Ceremonies marking important events in life.

Buddhism generally does it require strict observance of custom because Buddhism is more focused on the internal life. As such most rites of passage or rituals, they encompass the traditions and cultures of the country of origin. However, for ordination and earth, they have some form of universal rituals.

1.1 Birth

Generally there are no formal rituals associated with birth for Buddhists. They would usually follow their local custom, e.g. sprinkling of child with water and blessing them but some sects may have their own specific rites.

Depending on which ranch of Buddhism is being followed, parents may choose to give their child a Buddhist name and have a naming ceremony at the local temple and community centre.

For example, a baby will customarily have his head shaved when is a month old. This may be accompanied by a Buddhist ceremony in which monks recite passages from the sacred texts.

When an infant is born. Theravadin Buddhists usually have the formal naming at a nearby temple. Afterward, monks bless and sprinkle holy water on the newborn. The closing ritual, the melting of candle wax into a bowl, symbolises the union of the four basic elements: earth, air, fire and water.

1.2 Come of Age/Ordination

Traditionally, a young men is not socially accepted until he has become a monk, and many parents insist that after a son reaches the age of twenty he will be ordained before marriage or starting an official career.

In the Theravada tradition, ordination is a puberty or coming of-age rite.

To become a Buddhist there is no special ceremony needed although one is often held only the sincere repetition of the sacred formula, 'the Three refuges; and the Five Precepts.

In Theravada tradition (Southeast Asia), boys and some girls between the age of 8 and 12 years, are initiated into adult hood to become a novice monk or nun. To begin with they are dressed as princes and princesse like Prince Gautama. They take the Three Jewels, then have their heads shaved and change into the saffron robes. They may then stay with the monks from one night to a few years.

They are ordained as novices to learn the Buddhist doctrines. In the country, monks are the most respected order both on the spiritual and political level.

There are also many other reasons for entering the monk hood, such as to make merit for departed souls of relatives, or for one's parent when they are still living, or to repay a promise to the Buddha after asking him to solve personal or family problems.

Importantly, ordination ceremonies and the vows bestow the ordinand's family with karmic merit and honor and reflect the highest aspirations of Buddhist life.

1.3 Marriage (Divorce and same-sex marriage)

a) Marriage:

It's a purely social contract with no particular religious significance. Marriage is not considered to be a sacrament or holy bond of any sort. The marriage ceremony may not take place in a temple, as it is largely a non-religious event. For this reason, there is no set marriage ceremony in Buddhism. In one sense, Buddhism is "not" a family-focused religion.

By marrying, a man and a woman are beginning the life of a householder and these are very respected figures in Buddhist Society.

Mahayana believes a couple can still reach enlightenment. But, Theravada Buddhism believes this will hinder the journey to spiritual enlightenment. A married person best hope is to be reborn at a higher level in the next life. For this reason there is no marriage service in Theravada Buddhism. Theravada Buddhists are free to marry according to the customs of the country in which they live.

Theravada wedding: On the wedding morning, monks are invited for into the bride's home for a feast. The monks will recite from special texts to protect bride and groom from danger. They will leave before the wedding ceremony begins. Vows are taken to show the commitment involved.

The Mahayana wedding is usually carried out in the home by one of the bride's male relatives. Vows are for the couple to hear the teaching of Buddha on marriage or alternatively they may spend some time in a monastery listening to the monks reciting the text. There may be reciting of devotional texts or the couple may recite the 3 Refuges and 5 Precepts - to remind them to follow the teachings of Buddha.

There is generally no religious wedding ceremony in the temple or monastery; instead a simple ceremony takes place in the home. Although monks are usually invited, they do not perform the ceremony. A male relative of the bride is usually in charge. There is also a civil ceremony

The wife is seen as an equal partner in the marriage and the ceremony.

b) Divorce:

Some buddhists are against divorce because:

Buddhists view marriage as a contract between two people who have made a commitment to each other, so a marriage should, ideally, be for life.

Buddhists should practise metta (loving kindness) and karuna (compassion) towards their husband or wife and so divorce should not be necessary.

Divorce breaks up families and causes suffering

They are influenced by the culture and attitudes of the country in which they live.

Most buddhists are for divorce because:

The Buddha does not ban divorce.

Buddhists regard marriage as a contract and contracts can be added, so divorce is acceptable.

If one spouse has broken one of the five Precepts, eg by committing adultery (sexual misconduct), some Buddhists would consider divorce to be acceptable.

Living in hatred and discord is likely to have negative consequences for all involved, so divorce might be a more compassionate option.

Buddhism is about overcoming suffering and not clinging to situations that produce suffering, so divorce may be preferable to living together unhappily.

c) Same-sex marriage

Buddhism has a "neutral" view towards the topic of homosexuality. Generally, any anti-homosexual relationship is more of a cultural perspective rather than a religious one.

Buddhism has a "neutral" view because:

Buddhist texts prohibit homosexual acts are very few.

Celibacy - not having sexual relationship (avoid distraction to reach Nirvana). Sexual relation has to be a committed and with one partner.

Vinaya Pitaka (a Buddhist law) - against homosexual practices but for monks/nuns.

Third Precept of Five Moral Precepts: "Refrain from wrongful sexual activity" is no specific.

1.4 Death - Funeral:

These vary according to local customs , the type of death and whether the person was a layman or monk when alive.

Buddhists believe that consciousness continues for three days after the death of the physical body. So after death, while the death person is being prepared for the funeral, normally for cremation, the monks continue to chant in order to help the dead one;s good energies to be released from their fading personality.

The family may keep a picture of the dead person on a table with lights and incense burning and fresh flowers and food in bowls.

The family and all their friends would give food and candles to the monks. Goodwill is created by these gifts and it is believed that the goodwill helps the lingering spirit of the dead person.

For monks, their ashes are deposited in a stupa after cremation.

2.0 SANCTITY OF LIFE: Abortion, Euthanasia and Cloning.

Buddhists preserve that life is special and precious.

The first precept states that Buddhist should refrain from harming any living thing,

Karuna: Buddhists believe that they must show compassion to all living beings. Buddhists also believe in Metta, showing loving kindnesss to all.

Anatta, one of the 3 Universal Truths, states that there is no permanent self, or soul: it is in a constant state of change (like a candle flame) and will be re-born.

Upaya Kausala: 'skilful means': Buddhists try to make skilful decisions that maximise happiness and minimise suffering.

Buddhism encourages believers to confront problems with calmness and wisdom, as well as patience, determination and courage.

2.1 Abortion: Abortion is the deliberate termination of the life of the foetus in the womb. Abortion goes directly against the First Precept which states, "I undertake to abstain from taking life."

Traditional Buddhism

As mentioned in the Vinaya Pitaka, abortion is considered as a grave offence. Monks can, therefore get expelled from the Sangha if they in any way offer advice on abortive medicines or are party to the procuring of an abortion.

In short, Buddhists believed that the life cycle starts in the womb of a mother, and ending that life cycle will break the first principle, which stated that to not harm anything (living things in particular).