The
teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, better known as Buddha, have been
followed for over two and a half millennia. In this vast amount of
time, it has spread to a majority of countries and has the fourth
highest number of followers when considered a religion. Since it has
spread to so many different areas, local customs have developed in each
country. These include:
China’s Festival of Hungry Ghosts. This is one of China’s last remaining elaborate festivals. Its primary purpose is to take care of all those who have passed away and do not have any living descendants to take care of them.
Japan’s Dharma Wish Dolls. Japan’s form of Buddhism is inspired mainly by Bodhidharma’s teachings. Bodhidharma dolls, also known as dharma or daruma wish dolls, are usually male and have no arms or legs. When they are first made, the eyes are blank. The recipient of the doll fills in part of one eye while thinking of a wish. Once that wish comes true, the eyes are fully painted in. Similarly, the doll can be made to remind someone of a task that needs to be completed. In this case, one eye is partially drawn in to remind the person of the impending task and completed upon the task being finished.
Thailand’s “Ziam Zee”. In order to find out their future, Buddhists in Thailand shake a container of sticks until a stick with a number comes out. The number on the stick corresponds with the number on a paper. This paper is similar to a fortune and tells what will happen in the future.
India’s Wish Tree. In India, it is believed that if you write a wish upon a piece of paper and tie it to a wishing tree the wind will blow the words into the air, making the wish come true.
Sri Lanka’s Temple Customs. When in a Sri Lanka temple, if you come across a layperson it is customary to put your hands into the anjali gesture and say “Ayubowan” which translates to “Long Life”. It is not customary to fully bow when meeting a monk, but to just put your hands together in the same anjali gesture and give a slight bow out of respect. Also, a match should be put out with the flick of the wrist and not blown upon after lighting a candle in a temple.
Tibet’s “Om Mani Padme Hum” Stones. In various places in Tibet there are piles of stones with the inscription ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, the mantra for compassion and benevolence, on each stone. Devout Buddhists coming upon these piles customarily walk around it clockwise, offer a prayer and then move on. While stupas, religious shrines, prayer wheels and Mani stones are to be walked around in a clockwise manner, it is tradition to walk counterclockwise around a Bon monastery.
China’s Festival of Hungry Ghosts. This is one of China’s last remaining elaborate festivals. Its primary purpose is to take care of all those who have passed away and do not have any living descendants to take care of them.
Japan’s Dharma Wish Dolls. Japan’s form of Buddhism is inspired mainly by Bodhidharma’s teachings. Bodhidharma dolls, also known as dharma or daruma wish dolls, are usually male and have no arms or legs. When they are first made, the eyes are blank. The recipient of the doll fills in part of one eye while thinking of a wish. Once that wish comes true, the eyes are fully painted in. Similarly, the doll can be made to remind someone of a task that needs to be completed. In this case, one eye is partially drawn in to remind the person of the impending task and completed upon the task being finished.
Thailand’s “Ziam Zee”. In order to find out their future, Buddhists in Thailand shake a container of sticks until a stick with a number comes out. The number on the stick corresponds with the number on a paper. This paper is similar to a fortune and tells what will happen in the future.
India’s Wish Tree. In India, it is believed that if you write a wish upon a piece of paper and tie it to a wishing tree the wind will blow the words into the air, making the wish come true.
Sri Lanka’s Temple Customs. When in a Sri Lanka temple, if you come across a layperson it is customary to put your hands into the anjali gesture and say “Ayubowan” which translates to “Long Life”. It is not customary to fully bow when meeting a monk, but to just put your hands together in the same anjali gesture and give a slight bow out of respect. Also, a match should be put out with the flick of the wrist and not blown upon after lighting a candle in a temple.
Tibet’s “Om Mani Padme Hum” Stones. In various places in Tibet there are piles of stones with the inscription ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, the mantra for compassion and benevolence, on each stone. Devout Buddhists coming upon these piles customarily walk around it clockwise, offer a prayer and then move on. While stupas, religious shrines, prayer wheels and Mani stones are to be walked around in a clockwise manner, it is tradition to walk counterclockwise around a Bon monastery.
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